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Editor’s note: The following collection of reflections is a response to a reader call asking people to share their favorite hymns.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 503-505). It always fills me with the power of the Lord—especially if there is pipe organ accompanying. —Lisa Holloway
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. In times of trouble, Martin Luther would say to Philip Melancthon: “Come, Philip, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” —Jack Puskar
“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. —Scott Johnson
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. —Beth Lackey
“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. —Heidi Couch
“Children of the Heavenly Father” (ELW 781). My mom was the organist at my church prior to her death, and she played this when the kids would go up for the children’s sermon. —Debbie Kemerer
“Children of the Heavenly Father.” We would sing verses 1, 2 and 4 every week before junior choir rehearsal. After 11 years, I memorized it. I have many fond memories with the choir, singing during worship and caroling to our shut-ins and visiting with them. We are all children of God, and this song speaks that to me every time I sing it. —Cindy Rivera
“I Love to Tell the Story” (ELW 661). My mom sang it to me as a lullaby, and I sang it to my son. —Melissa Rutz Mumaw
“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. —Sara Jones
“How Great Thou Art” (ELW 856), both because it reminds me of my grandfather and my childhood church, and because it rings true when I am hiking in the woods and onto mountaintops. —Jeff Skrenes
I’ve loved “Grandioso És Tu (How Great Thou Art)” ever since I was a Pentecostal evangelical. But when I started giving drum classes, I started liking waltz-time hymns better. One that touched me when I met the Lutheran hymnary was “Amoroso e Humilde Servo (Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service)” (ELW 712), and I’ve been using it frequently in my classes to teach a drum and guitar style that’s particularly traditional here in Brazil, guarânia. —Paulo Victor Rapouso Cerqueira
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” (ELW 836). The entire gospel presented within a melody bursting with sunshine and sea spray. —Jennifer Juniper
“Beautiful Savior” (ELW 838) has been my favorite hymn since childhood. The melody and words have always brought me comfort, and singing it reminds me of my early faith and the steady love of Jesus throughout every stage of my life. —Laura Christine
“Beautiful Savior” is a constant reminder of God’s love for all of us in Christ. Singing this hymn in good times and bad times helps me express my gratitude for all that God has given to me. —Patricia Johnston
No hymn speaks to me more than “Borning Cry” (ELW 732). It reflects the joy God takes in our spiritual growth and development. —Pamela Gustafson
“Borning Cry,” because it describes how God is present in all stages of life. —Shari Stephenson
“When Peace Like a River” (ELW 785). The author lost children, I lost a son. But it can still be well with my soul. —Janet Schade
“Gather Us In” (ELW 532)! It just reminds me of what the church is about. Bringing all peoples together to worship our Lord. —Anthony D’Agostino
“Build a Longer Table” (All Creation Sings, 1062), for its emphasis on inclusion. —Connie Kincaid
“All Are Welcome” (ELW 641) beautifully captures who we strive to be as a church: a place where every person is valued, every voice is heard and everyone has a seat at the table. Its message of hospitality, community and peace reminds us that God’s love is for all people. —Kristin Davenport
“All are Welcome.” Since I converted to being Lutheran, this song always makes me feel welcomed in church. —Kalyn Botz
“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. —Andy Taminger
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (ELW 756). The connection to Psalm 107 never ceases to match the poetry of the sea and creation. —Eric Schuck
“Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723), which is a riff on Mary’s son, which is a riff on Hannah’s song, that borrows from the songs of other women prophets. An awesome protest song, remixed. —Elle Dowd
“Canticle of the Turning.” Speaks to my social justice work. —Susan Bolduc
“Canticle of the Turning.” It’s a prayer for a better future. —Kristine E. Stauffacher
“Canticle of the Turning.” I heard it during chapel in my first year of seminary, and it has been the inspiration for my time in ministry ever since. It only felt right to sing it years later as I was ordained! —Katie Hendrikson
FUN FACT: Rory Cooney wrote this paraphrase of the Magnificat. He felt hesitation and self-doubt when he paired the beloved and sacred text with a completely secular melody, “Star of County Down.”
“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. —Nicholas Carroll
“Earth and All Stars” (ELW 731). It reminds me of Walt Whitman poetry with an everyman feel. I love to find God in everything—“loud boiling test tubes” and all! —Leslie Eichelberger
“Earth and All Stars.” Your work is important and is done in worship to God. I feel this message so strongly, I sometimes can’t even get through the song without choking up. It is important that people know their contribution to society matters to God, even if they aren’t someone who goes to church all the time. —Stacie Bray
“Earth and All Stars.” It reminds us that we have much more to be grateful for than immediately comes to mind. God created people who use the talents he gave them, and for that we are grateful. Plus, it’s contemporary and I love the melody. —Susan Bignell Robinson
FUN FACT: Both of Herbert Brokering’s most well-known hymns, “Earth and All Stars” and “Alleluia! Christ Is Risen,” are set to the same tune.
“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. —Carol Johnston
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. —Allyson DeHart
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. —Trevor Kyro
FUN FACT: HYFRYDOL was composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard when he was only 19.
“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. —Eric Pastore
