by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University's Department worship program will host its annual Hymn Sing on Wednesday, April 17, at noon in the Dixon Ministry Center’s Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.
This year’s hymns will take the audience through the traditional church calendar, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Holy Week, Pentecost and the season of the Trinity. "Angels, From the Realms of Glory," "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" are a few of the hymns that will be featured.
Susan Plemons, assistant professor of worship, will serve as the worship leader at the event. She explained why the Hymn Sing is special to her. “The Hymn Sing is an opportunity to go back to the heritage of when I grew up,” she said. “I get to hold a book and sing four-part harmony, which isn't ingrained in contemporary Christian music.”
— Susan Plemons
Students taking Plemons’ worship administration course will provide the musical accompaniment for the hymns with handbells. This includes Emerald Geiger, sophomore worship, youth ministry and Christian education major from New Hyde Park, New York.
“In chapel, we sing new praise songs,” said Geiger. “But it is important to have an event that encourages us to continue singing hymns.”
Near the end of the Hymn Sing, the winner of the annual student songwriting competition will be announced. The worship department accepted entries for the competition earlier this spring and each song was given feedback from three Christian music professionals: Michael O’Brien, former lead singer of NewSong; Krissy Nordhoff, songwriter with Integrity Music; and Matt Merker, composer of congregational hymns, including “He Will Hold Me Fast.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.