Published on
February 21, 2017
Video length
47 mins
Alumni of the James Abbington Church Music Academy of the Hampton Ministers' Conference lead a festival of congregation songs.

These psalms, hymns and spiritual songs come from a variety of cultural settings that explore contrasting, but complementary ways that music brings to expression Christian faith and hope.

Outline of the service:

Opening Hymn: Sing a New World into Being

Words: Mary Louise Bringle © 2006 GIA Publications, Inc.
Music (HYMN TO JOY): Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827); arr. Edward Hodges (1796-1867), P.D.

Psalms

Acceptable to You                                                                                                Psalm 91:14

Words and Music: Eli Wilson, Jr. © 1989 Chenaniah Publications, Inc.

With Hands Lifted Up                                                                                         Psalm 113:1-3

Words and Music: Psalm 113:1-2, 4-6; Refrain, Leon C. Roberts (1950-1999) © 1998 OCP Publications

If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side                                                      Psalm 124:1-2

Words and Music: Margaret P. Douroux © 1980 Margaret P. Douroux

Hymns

The Solid Rock (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)

Words: Edward Mote (1797-1874)
Music (SOLID ROCK): William B. Bradbury (1816-1868)

When Our Confidence is Shaken

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) © 1971 Hope Publishing Co.
Music (JULION): David Hurd © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc.

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

Words: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920)
Music: André Grétry (1741-1813); arr. William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

Spiritual Songs

Come unto Jesus

Words and Music: Charles H. Nicks, Jr (1941-1988); arr. Brandon Waddles © 2006 Bridgeport Music, Inc.

Jesus Christ Is the Way

Words and Music: Walter Hawkins © 1977 Bud John Music, admin. EMICMGPublishing.com

Hold to God's Unchanging Hand

Words: Jennie Wilson
Music: Franklin L. Eiland (1860-1909); arr. Stephen Key © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc.

Closing Hymn: Be With Us All, Lord

Words and Music: Uzee Brown, Jr © 1995 Roger Dean Publishing Co.

Leaders: James Abbington, alumni from the James Abbington Church Music Academy, Debra Perry,
Emmett G. Price III, and Kathleen Turner

Recent Media Resources

Seeing Christ in the Face of the Other: Singing the Psalms for Reconciliation with Karen Campbell

In 2020, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland published the book Considering Grace, which narrates the stories of 120 people and their proximity to the troubles in Northern Ireland. Though clergy were applauded for often acting as first responders to the victims, wider questions regarding the denomination were raised. Could they have spoken up more and been a prophetic voice? In response, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland commissioned Karen Campbell to convene groups to produce a suite of songs, prayers, and liturgies from the psalms of lament to be used in congregational settings to voice lament, confess complicity, and raise deeper questions surrounding justice. This workshop will discuss the process involved and the questions raised and will include some of the songs, liturgies, and prayers that were produced.In 2020, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland published the book Considering Grace, which narrates the stories of 120 people and their proximity to the troubles in Northern Ireland. Though clergy were applauded for often acting as first responders to the victims, wider questions regarding the denomination were raised. Could they have spoken up more and been a prophetic voice? 

June 29, 2026 | 87 min video
How to Preach and Hear the Psalms

A workshop which shows participants how to preach genre-conscious sermons from the book of Psalms. Attention will be given to historical, literary, and theological issues with the aim of improving hermeneutical, generical, and homiletical practice. Participants, including hearers of sermons, will expand their knowledge of the psalms as a genre, develop genre-conscious forms and structures, and cultivate new strategies for homiletical practice.

June 23, 2026 | 82 min video
Psalms for Every Tribe and Tongue

Drawing inspiration from Revelation 7:9, Terry and Darlene Wildman will lead this workshop exploring how the First Nations Version: Psalms speaks into—and flows out from—the hearts of Indigenous North American cultures today through storytelling, songs, and interactive activities. Participants will experience how these ancient prayers continue to inspire worship that celebrates cultural diversity and unity in Creator’s Sacred Family.

June 4, 2026 | 79 min video