Finding the right tools for WORSHIP with limited MUSICIAN resources
Churches with limited musician resources seem to be occurring in epidemic proportions. Also, many churches want to be able to utilize modern worship songs in their times of worship, but find it difficult to do so without proper instrumentation. Today, we have technologies available that provide great solutions for churches that need help. In this series of posts, I will be talking about many great solutions for churches of all worship styles–whether you need just a pianist or an entire band to assist in your times of corporate worship. This post is about one of several solutions for churches needing just a pianist or organist for their times of worship.
Kenny
The United Methodist Church has done a great job of providing hundreds of hymn accompaniment mp3s for their hymnals. You will find that we share hundreds of hymns in common.
These piano accompaniments of familiar hymns are provided as free downloads. They are intended to provide accompaniments for congregational singing for churches unable to provide accompaniment for singing. You may find that you can also use them for choir, solo, or Sunday School use, Christmas caroling, or singing at any group setting.
In almost all cases, they have provided accompaniments from The United Methodist Hymnal (1989), with an introduction and multiple stanzas in the key provided in the hymnal. Occasionally an alternate harmonization is included. New hymns will be added in the future.
Details
The list of hymns may be sorted by hymn title, tune name or hymnal number by clicking on the column heading and you can choose to see up to 100 entries per page..
Abbreviations:
UMH – The United Methodist Hymnal
TFWS – The Faith We Sing
URW – Upper Room Worshipbook
CH – Cokesbury Hymnal
Click here to go to their database of hymns.
To download and save a file for use:
- Right-click (control-click) on the hymn name
- Choose “Save Link As”
- Choose the folder location on your computer to save the file. You probably would find it helpful to name the file the name of the hymn rather than the Methodist hymn number.
Note: Audio files may be adjusted in ways such as speeding them up or slowing them down with free Audacity software.
SAMPLE AUDIO FILES
Amazing Grace
When We All Get to Heaven
The Old Rugged Cross
Copyright Information
These piano accompaniment recordings are Copyright © 2015 The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, PO Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Website www.umcdiscipleship.org . They may be downloaded and used in worship or other noncommercial church use or for private listening without additional permission. They may not be republished, used for profit, sold, or placed on a website.
Final Thoughts
The UMC hymn project offers another great resource for FREE piano hymn accompaniment for congregational singing. I found a number of the songs to be rather slow, but that can be remedied with Audacity or other audio software that can adjust the tempo of the song. If you are needing piano accompaniment for congregational singing on a long-term or short-term basis and are on a tight budget, this resource, along with SmallChurchMusic.com, will provide numerous options for you.
Kenny
Mr. Lamm:
Thank you, very much for this wonderful resource of hymns and music. Having been a worship leader, myself and having been raised
in the United Methodist church, the hymns are foundational to my faith. I have sung them, wholeheartedly, since I was a child. I even share with people the message John Wesley
gave to worshippers in 1761. Of particular interest to me is his statement: “Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength…”
My concern with the latest Praise and Worship fad (which has gone on seemingly, forever), is that we have pushed the hymns, written harmonies and choir right out of our services
in exchange for music that, at times, is weird and unfulfilling. We seemed to have thrown out the baby with the bath water in exchange for something “new and better”.
I am concerned with the depth of our congregations spirituality and commitments.
I hope to use this hymn project to help others build a strong foundation along with real discipleship.
Thanks for sharing this great resource.
I hope I can be a credit to my United Methodist pastor parents who served our Lord, wholeheartedly without waiver, until they rested to be with Him.
My mother was from Argentina and her father was a church planter near Buenos Aires and surrounding areas. I love the fervor of the Argentine people and the singing in the services. May I continue to share the legacy of wonderful believers who gave us so very much.
Thank You.
Don Wittbrodt,
Winchester, KY
I keep trying to apply the coupon code leadworship! to get the 10$ discount for the online worship boot camp, &it says coupon expired. The website doesnt say its expired
Hi Teresa. I believe the coupon should be working now. Sorry for the inconvenience!