Old Melodies. New Texts. A Fresh Voice for the Faithful.
What happens when traditional melodies meet a modern heart dedicated to justice, community, and the care of creation? They burst open with joyful celebration.
In The Little Hymnal: An Ecumenical Songbook, Rev. Kenn Storck offers a vibrant gift to the whole church. This collection features thirty-two beautifully crafted, original hymn texts meticulously matched to the emotional depth and mood of traditional melodies you already love.
Inside, you will discover new verses to stir your soul, including moving anthems for a changing world and a dedicated selection of hymns for the Season of Creation—focusing on our sacred call to care for the Earth. Written to awaken the spirit, welcome the stranger, and inspire the seeker, The Little Hymnal is an indispensable companion for your private devotions or your congregation's Sunday morning worship.
Open these pages, lift your voice, and let your faith be deepened and refreshed.
Which Formats Are Available?
You can order The Little Hymnal in different configurations:
For congregations wishing to use the thirty-two hymns in worship, the hymnal comes as a collection of files: a master PowerPoint version; individual PowerPoints for each hymn that can be used to project the lyrics onto screens during worship services; and a Word document that can be used to cut and paste lyrics for bulletins and programs. This collection is designed primarily for congregations, but it can also be purchased by interested individuals. See the pricing tier below, which offers different pricing depending on the size of a congregation. You can order directly from this page.
The hymnal also comes in a print edition for $9.95 plus handling and shipping. This also can be ordered directly below.
Three Sample Hymns
-
(Melody: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”)
Be present in our lives today,
Raising the Christ to lead the way.
Grant justice to the least of these.
Your healing grace grants us peace.No longer bound within a tomb,
Love everlasting making room
For outcasts lost and lonely ones,
God’s mercy lifts what fear has done.Breaking the barriers we create,
God comes with mercy strong and great.
A new creation formed from Christ
The Kingdom rises in our lives.Celebrate now in God’s new light.
Homes without hunger are in sight.
Christ feed the thousands at this feast;
God’s presence frees the last and least.Rise up, O Church, and be set free;
God shapes us into unity.
As Easter people we live out
Christ’s resurrection without doubt. -
(Melody, “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us”)
As new autocrats among us threaten lies, conspiracies.
As the fires and floods surround us, climate insecurities:
Give us hope in your grace and promises, bend the arc of history
Toward the Kingdom now among us, open hearts to liberty.Grant faith open to your promises that your justice will prevail.
Send your Spirit burning in us, leading us beyond the pale,
Moving us to be with others: those oppressed the least of these.
Showing your enduring passion for the truth that sets us free.Send us forth in daily living as the yeast that leavens bread.
Pour us out as wine that’s healing, bringing new life out of dread.
Sacrament for all who need us as the Church transformed anew:
Act with justice, love and mercy, walking humbly with you. -
(Melody: “The Church’s One Foundation)
O Firstborn of Creation,
O Music of the Spheres,
Your Spirit o’er the waters
Resounds throughout the years.
For when there is no language
And when our speech is mute,
Our God inspires musicians
And acts as holy muse.And when we live in terror,
Our voices stilled, confused,
God’s music breaks the silence
And falls like morning dew.
O fertile, living Spirit,
Creator, one true God,
Now sing of Christ within us:
Awake our hearts to love.God, as we come to worship,
Give speech beyond our words.
The music you created
Sings justice in our world.
For Christ will go before us–
The cross–our song of love;
We follow, hearts uplifted,
And sing with saints above.