Nathan Grime

“God Shed His Grace on Thee” from Edwin T. Childs brings together thirteen rich hymn settings based on national hymns. Written for manuals and mostly two pages each, these pieces are playable on any keyboard instrument, including organ or piano, making the collection widely useful for church musicians in a variety of settings. The hymn choices encompass themes of national heritage, steadfast faith, divine protection, Christian hope, and trust in God’s care, making the book particularly valuable for both civic holidays and throughout the liturgical year.

Paul Gerhardt (1607–76) is in a tier only shared with Martin Luther as one of the most beloved and celebrated Lutheran hymnwriters in the church. May 27 marks 350 years since his passing in 1676, and yet seventeen of Gerhardt’s 100-plus hymn texts are still in Lutheran Service Book. His legacy is felt throughout the Christian church, living in numerous denominations’ hymnals and still ringing out in our heads as we repeat the tunes today. Learn more about this phenomenal contributor to hymnody to commemorate the anniversary of his passing. 

Kevin Hildebrand’s collection of organ preludes on American hymn tunes is a timely publication in 2026 as the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of its founding. In those 250 years, American composers have made their distinctive mark on the musical landscape, especially through the folk and spiritual traditions.

Accent the Offertory with grace and joy using Offertory Mosaics, the latest addition to the long-standing Mosaics series by Jacob B. Weber. Six organ preludes provide fresh settings, with several pieces having built-in jump points for shortened versions, which make them especially flexible for use during the offering. Some highlights include an elegant Baroque-style “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God,” a reverent and relaxed “Consider How the Birds Above,” and a triumphant “Take My Life and Let It Be.”

A trusted craftsman at leading engaging congregational singing, Jeffrey Blersch is at it again with a brand-new series of hymn introductions and harmonizations. In this series, ten hymns are treated with an introduction and one or more harmonizations, often with specific stanzas in mind, cementing the connection between words and music, and vividly bringing out the meaning of the text. Use these to uplift, inspire awe, and draw attention to what hymns say.

Call on all of creation to bless the Lord with “All You Works of the Lord” by John A. Behnke. A memorable refrain, joyful piano accompaniment, and verses with great back-and-forth dialogue between voices make this piece unforgettable. This text, Song of the Three Young Men (Benedicite, omnia opera), is a feature of the Easter Vigil, so this piece is ideal for that service and is also a fitting selection throughout the Easter season.

“O Darkest Woe” is a gorgeous, albeit plaintive setting of the classic Good Friday hymn for SATB choir, two treble instruments, continuo, and optional violoncello. This piece is taken from Johann Meder’s St. Matthew Passion (1701) and has been arranged and edited by William Braun. The stunning final stanza features the choir in rich, slow-moving four-part harmony as the instruments hasten along, adorning the heaven-focused text. Purchase the instrumental parts separately at cph.org.

This new take on the German Christmas carol uses the ancient Resonet in Laudibus melody but places it in an entirely different setting for SATB choir, piano, and alto saxophone. The soulful timbre of the saxophone plays warm, lyrical phrases over gentle choral writing for a memorable lullaby to the Christ Child. Alternate instrument parts for C and B-flat instruments and Horn in F are also available for free digital download.

“Word made flesh,” “barn made palace,” and “sky made song” are just a few of the wonderful poetic phrases in this charming Christmas anthem by Carl F. Schalk (1929–2021) with text by David Rogner. This beautiful piece has all the grace and elegance one has come to know from Schalk’s Christmas hymns as it proclaims the birth of Christ with fresh imagery in word and song.

In commemoration of the five hundredth anniversary of Johann Walter’s collection Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (1524), these three motets were edited and selected for their usefulness for modern choirs throughout the Church Year and at celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. Each piece may be sung as a stand-alone motet, using one or more stanzas. Or select stanzas may be sung in alternation with the congregation in the context of singing the hymn. The titles are “From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee,” “O Lord, We Praise Thee,” and “Salvation unto Us Has Come.”