Singing through the hymnal: week 24

Verse: Matthew 11:19

Hymn: Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners

          The hymn for this week is one of my favorite texts and melodies. I could sing it every day! We continue to sing about Jesus as our Savior. This is a perfect hymn to sing with your children, because they can pick up the chorus so quickly. The text shares so much of the Gospel and how Jesus is seen and known to us in the Christian life. I would also read the poetry without the melody to your children on a daily basis. You will also probably recognize this tune - it is used with many different texts.

       
     

                                                                  Fun Facts

Text: J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918)

• A Presbyterian minister and evangelist
• worked with D.L. Moody and Billy Sunday
• wrote 3 hymns. This is the only one in use.

Tune: Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811-1887) HYFRYDOL

• This tune was originally written while Rowland was still a teenager and was to be used in a Lutheran hymnal
• Hyfrydol means "cheerful" in Welsh
• Chapman chose this tune even before he wrote the text this particular hymn

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

    Things to think about ...

• If you have school aged children, a good thing to ask them might be: Have you ever had friends that have hurt you or disappointed you? Have you failed your friends or family? At some point, everyone will fail us, and we will fail them. BUT GOD - He cannot and will not fail. The God of Creation, Jesus Christ, has become our friend. We were once His enemies, but if we trust in Him as our Savior, we can call Him friend. 
• If your children inquire how to become the friend of Jesus, read them the last stanza of this hymn. This is a wonderful springboard into the Gospel.
• A good verse to memorize with your family this week is John 15:13