Singing the hymnal: week 3

Verse:  2 Corinthians 13:14

Hymn: Come, Thou Almighty King

Text

Activity: Trinity Craft   *there are so many things that you can find to do on Pinterest. Check there for ideas.

This is our last week focusing on the Trinity. Next week, we will transition over to God as King. 

Last year, my kids learned the first stanza really well, so this year, I am going to focus on all the other stanzas. It is really important for teaching your children about the doctrine of the Trinity to sing all the stanzas of this hymn to them throughout the week. I have been pulling out the hymnal and singing during breakfast recently - I realize it is not ideal for them singing, but they can hear the words and then can sing a bit better later during our singing time. 

The first stanza says:

Come, Thou Almighty King,
help us Thy name to sing,
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious, o'er all victorious,
come and reign over us, Ancient of Days

Singing is so important on the good days... and the dark days. I am so thankful that I have these truths in my heart and mind that my mother sang with me as a child. So when the darkness comes, I can cry out in song in praise and prayer to our Almighty King. His Word is sure. He will never change. He will come for us. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection we have hope! Come Lord Jesus, come. 

Fun Facts

Text: Anonymous

• Many believe this text was written by Charles Wesley as his response to the British hymn ("God Save Our Gracious King") that God is our one and true King.

Tune: ITALIAN HYMN Felice de Giardini (1716-1796)

• this may be a little more difficult for you to learn if you have not grown up singing it. Each phrase is different melodically, but don't give up! Keep at it.  

Remember to order you copy of the hymnal we are singing through if you still need a hymnal!

    Things to think about ...

•       I love this hymn because it focuses on a different Person on the Trinity for each stanza. The first is God the Father. The Second focuses on God the Son (the Word). The third focuses on God the Holy Spirit, and the fourth is a summation. 
• It is always important to sing all the stanzas - it would be like only listening to part of a symphony or reading one chapter of a book or looking at one small corner of a painting. You can't really understand what the entire hymn is talking about if you don't fully read and sing it. A lot of hymn writers are telling a story, and if you leave out a stanza, you will miss something important. 
• we also praise and thank God for each attribute mentioned in this hymn. I ask the children: what do you remember from the song today that we can praise God for? - there are some beautifully rich attributes to talk with your children about

In Addition
     Here is a link to a wonderful hymn and text to work on with your family. With a lot of these hymns, you can work on phrases that repeat such as the chorus with this one.