Review of The Service Hymnal: A Lutheran Homecoming

Service Hymnal does contain Luther's "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come." Every Lutheran hymnal should contain that beautiful Christmas hymn. Now if only we can get a contemporary Christian singer to sing this hymn on a Christmas CD…. You may want to check out who "sponsored" the inclusion of this hymn. (Another facet of this hymnal was that groups and individuals could sponsor a hymn in the hymnal.)

Any weaknesses in the hymnal? I was amazed at the paucity of prayers. I would have liked the General Prayer included in some form—even as a litany! Maybe more multi-cultural hymns—or did Mr. Sucha wish to retain the Lutheran integrity of SBH? The index of hymn titles have the reference letters not in a real consistent pattern in relation to the index entries. At times names are misspelled ("Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending" states the author is Charles Wesley, but then spells it "Westley" in the blurb below on Wesley's life.

Overall the hymn is a fine piece of work. It's weaknesses can be addressed with a minimum of hassle. It's strengths should put this hymnal on a par with many classic hymnals in Lutheranism.

The Service Hymnal: A Lutheran Homecoming is available through
Voice of the Rockies Music Publishing
P.O. Box 1043
Boulder, Colorado 80306

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