WEEK # 3 - FAVORITE HYMNS
 

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Gail Baldwin expressed that it would be easier to say a hymn which she doesn't like and that there is only one, because she loves hymns and has many "faves" (favorites). I think she has just left us all with what I must refer to as a "hymn hanger", as she goes on to share two of her favorites and leaves us with no clue as to the one she doesn't like. 

Two of the hymns Gail loves are: "You Call Us, Lord, to Be" # 450 in Common Praise, and "When Peace Like a River" # 450 in Hymns for the Family of God.  Gail plays for the hymn sing at the Village Nursing Home in Ridgetown.  One of the hymn books they use is Hymns for the Family of God.  Gail shared that  everyone loves to sing along to her favorite hymn when she plays "When Peace Like A River".  She said, "They may not remember what they had for breakfast that morning, or if they had breakfast, but they remember and sing every word of that and most other hymns."

A few years ago Gail remembers that they had a contest to raise money for the Council of the North and each person was given a ballot as they came into church on Sunday.  They were to vote by writing their favorite hymn on the ballot and place it along with a loonie or a toonie in a basket at the back of the church as they left.  At the end of a four-week period Gail tabulated all of the results and turned the loonies and toonies over to the Treasurer to send of to the North.  The overwhelming favorite was Hymn No. 1, Common Praise - "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty", so we sang it many times and still do at Church of the Advent. 
Gail is hopeful that we will be able to sing again before too long.
 
Ron Bolohan sent the following through to share with us all.
"I really cannot say "this is my favourite hymn", as I have many, but this song just makes one sit down and really have sincere thoughts. The hymn, "You'll Never Walk Alone".  
I believe that it never started out to be considered a hymn at all.  The song was written by Oscar Hammerstein II and composed by Richard Rodgers as a show tune for the 1945 musical "Carousel".  One cannot or could not imagine what this song does to a person.  When I am performing at the various senior homes and residences, of which I have now started doing again, this is one of the songs that is most welcomed and wanted.  It gives a person a sense of security, a longing, hope, and that one is not left to face life or adversity alone.  It was first performed before the end of the 2nd World War. The song's message of triumph in times of adversity spoke to the wartime crowds of April 1945.  It was an anthem at the Liverpool's Anfield Stadium (England) for football/soccer games.  The song just exemplifies family and the power of family when faced with adversity."

"When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high 
And don't be afraid of the dark 
At the end of the storm, there's a golden sky 
And the sweet, silver song of a lark 

Walk on through the wind 
Walk on through the rain 
Though your dreams be tossed and blown 

Walk on, walk on 
With hope in your heart 
And you'll never walk alone 
You'll never walk alone 

Walk on, walk on 
With hope in your heart 
And you'll never walk alone 
You'll never walk alone"