“Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song” (ELW 808). As the anxieties and cares of these recent times have become more violent, more oppressive, there has been a concurrent rise in singing as a means of nonviolent resistance. The steadfast hope and courage of this hymn, with its acknowledgment of all that is dark and frightening, never fails to connect deeply.

One of my dad’s many favorites was “Lift High the Cross” (ELW 660). My brother would add a trumpet accompaniment to the organ. It’s so powerful and everyone sings their hearts out. There were many wet eyes during that hymn in our small rural church amid the cornfields. We sang it at my dad’s funeral, so it still pulls at my heart.

“Blessed Assurance” (ELW 638). I hold it close to my heart as it was the last hymn sung at the last service my late husband and I attended together. Tragically, that night he had a fatal heart attack. The words comfort me.

“I Love to Tell the Story” (ELW 661). My mom sang it to me as a lullaby, and I sang it to my son.

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” (ELW 611). It’s written on my heart. It’s why Lutherans tear up when singing, because all these hymns are woven into our souls. We can recall standing next to our mothers and fathers, family, grandparents, singing all these songs and hearing voices crack with emotion.

“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” (ELW 836). The entire gospel presented within a melody bursting with sunshine and sea spray.

“When Peace Like a River” (ELW 785). The author lost children, I lost a son. But it can still be well with my soul.

“Gather Us In” (ELW 532)! It just reminds me of what the church is about. Bringing all peoples together to worship our Lord.

“Build a Longer Table” (All Creation Sings, 1062), for its emphasis on inclusion.

“The Church’s One Foundation” (ELW 654). I’m moved to tears every time I hear it. It’s a powerful reminder to me that the church has never been called to perfection, but rather to grace, freely given in God’s perfect love. It reminds me that God’s greatest gift to the church is our calling to abide with one another in faithful community together.

“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (ELW 756). The connection to Psalm 107 never ceases to match the poetry of the sea and creation.

“When Long before Time (The Singer and the Song)” (ELW 861). I love the poetry, and the music suits it. I love how it tells the story of God’s plan for salvation in musical metaphor.

“In Deepest Night” (ELW 699), because it speaks of God’s faithfulness, in silence and in grief. A fitting and healing hymn for these days. Our trust in the faithfulness of God defines us as Lutherans.

Whenever I hear “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (ELW 656), I am reminded that faith is not meant to be lived alone. God often works through the people he places in our lives, and this hymn celebrates those sacred connections. It reminds me that even when paths diverge, the bonds we share through faith, love and community continue to sustain us.

I am convinced that music is a tool that the Spirit gives us to better understand the good news of the gospel. For me, it’s just about anything set to the HYFRYDOL hymn tune. Being a cradle Lutheran and growing up in the church, it is a tune that has always stuck with me. However, every time I hear the melody, I mostly think of wonderful memories of being gathered with my family, friends and many people who were important to me.

“Ah, Holy Jesus” (ELW 349). For more than 15 years, I served as my pastor’s acolyte every Sunday. Every Good Friday, it was sung, and it became one of the most meaningful parts of the church year for me. Now I sing it in the choir, and I still get goose bumps every year. For me, it’s more than a hymn. It’s a reminder of faith, friendship, tradition and the people who helped shape my walk with Christ. Through every stage of my life, the hymn has remained, faithfully telling the story of Christ’s love and sacrifice anew each year.

“Here I Am, Lord” (ELW 574). I tear up every time we sing it. I can feel God reminding me that I am to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth, and pray I am doing his will.

“This Is My Song” (ELW 887). I first sang it at Holden Village, and it brings me to tears every time.

“Abide With Me.” I always tear up. It’s such a reminder and plea that with everything worldly going on, God is the steadfast and only source of help.

I am an ELCA organist with lots of favorites. I will narrow it down to ELW 878, “Soli Deo Gloria,” by Marty Haugen. His description of Jesus in stanza 4 is beautifully worded, especially “incarnate love song of boundless grace.” And Soli Deo Gloria are the words I offer silently at the close of every service I play.

My favorite is the one I am singing at the moment. It’s impossible for me to choose a favorite. Some of my favorites would be half the hymnal.