Midweek Message
Week of October 14, 2019
We're Getting a New Hymnal - Part 2: A Bit of History

As I told you last week, we are getting new hymnals to assist and enhance our musical worship of our Lord! As we get ready to dedicate and begin using these new hymnals on November 9th, I'll be using this space to share some of the long story of Presbyterians and hymnals, what led to the denomination's formulation of a new hymnal, how that process worked, and what is new, different and special about the new hymnals. So, this week, I thought I'd share a little bit of history with you...
While the Reformed churches in Europe and the Presbyterian church in Scotland had placed priority on the singing of Psalms, when the colonists came to America, the early governing bodies of the Presbyterian Church in the colonies left all the decisions about whether to sing Psalms or hymns up to the individual congregations. As a result, a wide variety of Psalters and hymnals were used by the young congregations.

Many of these early hymn collections did not contain music, but only text, as few people were able to read music- though they could sing in complicated harmonies just from learning by listening. During those early years, singing schools were established in the churches, and from them came a desire for new tunes to which the words in the hymnals could be sung. By 1800, there were over 130 different collections of tune books in print. This meant that worshipers needed to hold two books while they were singing- one for the tune, one for the text. Hymnals as we know them, with words and text together, did not appear until after the Civil War.
The first official Presbyterian "hymnal" was published in 1830. Psalms and Hymns Adapted to the Public Worship, contained only text without music.

But it also contained instructions for worship, such as:

"When the time appointed for public worship is come, let the people enter the church, and take their seats in a decent, grave, and reverent manner. In time of Public worship, let all the people attend with gravity and reverence, forbearing to read anything, except what the minister is reading or reciting; abstaining from all whisperings, all salutations of persons present, or coming in; and from gazing about, sleeping, smiling, and all other indecent behaviors."

(oh, my!)
In 1874- the Presbyterian Hymnal was published, finally placing the text and tune in the same book an on the same page, though not matched up line by line as we are accustomed to.
In 1895- The Hymnal was published and then revised in 1911. This hymnal first introduced the singing of Amen at the end of each hymn, and it first incorporated the text and music together (for the first verse). The revised hymnal, published during World War I, included patriotic songs such as The Star Spangled Banner and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
In 1933, a new hymnal, also titled, The Hymnal, was published. Known as the "Green Hymnal, it is still remembered (and even used) by members of Presbyterian Churches.

In 1950, the next new hymnal was published, known by Presbyterians as the "Red Hymnal." The Hymnbook was a joint project of five American denominations of the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition.

Then, in 1972, another new hymnal was published as a joint project of the PCUS, the UPC and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This hymnal, The Worshipbook: Services and Hymns, was never well received as the hymns were arranged alphabetically rather than by liturgical season or purpose as most hymnals are.
Finally, in 1983, the big merger happened...

Some background: A schism in the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, called the Old School and New School Controversy began to split the PCUSA in 1837 over issues related to how the church should adapt worship and leadership to life in this new country. In time, issues related to slavery brought even further division to the denomination, dividing the Old School and New School even further by North and South divisions in each. After 3 decades of this four-way division, the Old and New School southern churches merged together as the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS); and the Old and New School northern churches merged together as the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPC).

Over time, the PCUS tended to be most prevalent in the southern and border states, and the UPC could be found in every state, though it was still considered to be "the northern church."

And then, in 1983, the great homecoming happened, as the UPC and the PCUS merged, forming The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or PCUSA.
As the merge was on the horizon, the General Assemblies felt that it was time that a new hymnal also be developed. The General Assemblies directed that a hymnal be developed "using inclusive language and sensitive to the nature" of the church. Work on this new hymnal began in 1985. It would be the first hymnal of the newly united denomination. This is the blue hymnal, The Presbyterian Hymnal, that sits in our pews today.

After more than 2 decades of using this hymnal, the PCUSA determined that it was time to update the hymnal used in our congregations in order to meet the changing needs of worshipers and congregations. Next week, I'll tell you more about the very involved and thoughtful process that took place to bring this new hymnal to the church...

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1-3

It's fascinating to see the way the hymnals have changed and developed over the years. Hymns included in those earliest hymnals are no longer in the newer hymnals. Some hymns return, some disappear, new ones are written...but the common thing is that the people of God keep singing new songs to the Lord, even as we join our voices with those who have sung the old songs in ages past...praising God's name, proclaiming God's salvation, declaring God's glory, and celebrating God's mighty deeds... May we never stop singing!

You are loved,

Pastor Cathie
If you were unable to bring your completed pledge cards to worship on Sunday, you can return your card to the office during the week.
Support Our Youth Group!
We are excited to roll out an easy way to help support our youth group as they prepare to attend the Montreat Youth Conference and the Inter-generational Mission Trip this summer!

Through our partnership with SCRIP, church members, family members, and friends can purchase gift cards from over 750 different stores, online retailers, hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, cruise lines and more.

Each gift card is purchased at face value, but a percentage of the amount comes back to the youth group from the company. So for example, say you buy a $25 gift card to Eat n' Park. You pay $25, you get a $25 gift card, and the youth group receives $2.25.

You can get gift cards to use for your weekly and regular shopping and use them instead of cash or debit card. For example, if you bought $150 in gift cards from Giant Eagle and used it for your groceries and gas for the week, the youth group would receive $6. Or you can get cards to give as gifts or for your vacations or date nights or all kinds of special occasions- even your trip to Disney!

Here's all you need to do...

  • If you prefer to do your shopping for cards online: Go to shopwithscrip.com and create an account. You'll need our enrollment code (5911E89D65629). You will be asked child's name and group- you can ignore these questions unless you are a parent of one of our youth group members. . Once you are enrolled, your account will be verified and ready to begin ordering. If you go to shopwithscrip.com on your phone, you will receive a prompt that allows you to place a link on your home screen like an app for quick access and ordering.

  • If you prefer to fill out a paper order and let us order the cards for you: Get an order form from the church office, fill it out and return it to the office.

A group order will be placed by the 20th of each month combining all online and paper orders received by the 15th, and we'll have the cards in the office ready for up just a few days later!

This is an exciting and so easy way that we can all help support our youth group! First orders are due October 15! Thank you for your support!
AN EASY WAY TO INVITE OTHERS TO CHURCH!!
in this newsletter to send to a friend or post to your social media and invite others to join us for upcoming worship and special events! Just right click on any image and select copy, or save as picture...
Sunday School Offerings This Fall
Preschool and Elementary
9:30 am
Lower Learning Center

Children meet in age level groups (PreK-Grade 2; and Grades 3-5) This year we are using the Whirl curriculum from Sparkhouse. One of the goals of Whirl is to connect kids to church life. Each week, kids and leaders start their time together by identifying where they are in the church year and watching an animated video to set up the lesson. Next, they dive into the Bible story, respond to the scripture lesson with creative leaflet activities, and circle up to review the lesson and pray before being sent out. 

Youth (Middle & High School)
9:30 am
Youth Room

This fall, our youth will be studying the book, YOUnique. Based on Biblical teaching, students will explore their personality type, find out what their Love Language is, learn what their top spiritual gifts are, come to accept the way the God created them- body and soul, hear about the best gift God offers (transformation from the inside out), grasp simple ways to invite God's power into the daily lives, identify God's voice and learn to discern it for themselves, dream about their future, create a bucket list, identify desirable character traits, and set practical goals for the future. 
Women's Sunday School
9:30 am
McMillan Room

This year, the focus will be on prayer- attitudes, postures, approaches, purposes, and more. All women are invited to join this group and enjoy the caring fellowship, the thoughtful discussions, and the laughter that is shared each week.

Men's Small Group
9:15 am
Quilters Room

All men are invited to join this time of reflection, discussion, and fellowship together. This year the men will be focusing on encounters with Jesus that are recorded throughout the gospels, and seeking to discover how they speak to the way we are invited to meet Jesus in our own lives. Come a little early for fellowship at 9:15 and the lesson begins at 9:30.
Did you miss a sermon?
Past sermons are now available to listen to on our website!!  
Recordings include music, prayers and other parts of the worship service, too!

This Week
at Bethel Presbyterian
Wednesday, Oct 16
10:00 am Wednesday Morning Bible Study
7:00 pm Galatians Bible Study

Thursday, October 17
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:45 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, October 20
9:30 am Sunday School and Small Groups
10:30 am Worship- Thank Offering Sunday
11:30 am Fellowship (Prayer Shawls)
11:30 am Membership Exploration Meeting
12:00 pm Youth Group to Triple B Farms

Monday, October 21
7:00 pm BASIC Study at Pastor Cathie's

Tuesday, October 22
10:00 am Quilters Meeting
4:00 pm Staff Program Coordination Meeting
7:00 pm Mission Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 23
10:00 am Wednesday AM Bible Study
7:00 pm Wednesday PM Bible Study

Thursday, October 24
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:45 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Oct 27 Congregational Meeting to Elect new Elders, Deacons, and Nominating Committee Members

Oct 27 Trunk or Treat

Nov 9 Holiday A-fair

Nov 10 Veterans Recognition in Worship

Nov 16 Wreath Hanging

Nov 24 Hanging the Greens and Potluck





OCTOBER
14 Carl Parise
14 Kristen Blum
15 Carey McGowan
16 Nancy Galbraith
18 Ted Keenan
18 Rachel Virgin
19 Alexis Kiesling
20 Suann DeFurio
21 Jeff Anderson
21 Landon Blum
22 Cindy Webler
23 cliff Decker
23 Heather Schultz
25 Max Stotesbery
25 Riley Hunter
26 Debbie Hartman
28 Charleene Paupa
30 Austin Virgin
31 Pat Brown
31 Debbie Schoenberger
412-835-0405    www.bethelpresby.org