Roy Hopp

A collection of recent hymns that invite the congregation to celebrate

December

Psalter Hymnal 194
Rejoice in the Lord 169
Trinity Hymnal 148

Isaiah 40 is often read and sung during the Advent season. It's a passage that speaks of the peace and comfort that the coming Messiah will bring. The prophet encourages the people of Israel to prepare a way for the Lord: to "make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (RSV). The first three movements of Handel's Messiah are taken from Isaiah 40:1-5.

Roy Hopp describes the step-by-step process he follows to compose hymn tunes and explains how composing new tunes can help fill liturgical "gaps."