Churchy Q&A: How are hymns for church decided on?

At the Chaplaincy, the person preaching at that service selects three hymns: opening, offertory, and closing. It's a little more complicated than just rotating through your 20 favorites, though, because the hymns (hopefully) support and strengthen the service as a unified whole. There are several factors to think about:

The readings, especially the Gospel, are the crucial, anchoring element. I begin by reflecting on the readings and sketching the sermon. After this preliminary peek, I look for hymns that fit with the readings and the sermon, in order to connect what is read, sung, and heard.

Although the readings are based on the lectionary and therefore follow the liturgical season, it's important to keep the season in mind. The Hymnal 1982 categorizes hymns, but some categories are more fixed than others. For instance, you wouldn't sing "Unto us a boy is born" before Christmas Day, but many hymns from the sections 'Jesus Christ' and 'Praise to God' are suitable throughout the year.

It's also helpful to consider the hymn's tune. Aside from whether it is familiar or easy to sing, the tempo and pace can help to shape the experience of the service in subtle ways. I look for slower, more reflective tunes for the offertory (especially) and also for the opening. The closing hymn tends to have a quicker tempo, because it is how the congregation is musically 'sent forth' into the world.

And then there are the instinctive decisions. For instance, I have to confess that I would feel a bit odd singing When morning gilds the skies at 5pm.