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Our Approach

Hymns of Truth and Light is a creation of the First Congregational Church of Houston, Texas. What began as a simple idea, born in the frustration of not finding an existing hymnal that met enough of our needs, soon grew to a project of considerable proportions.

We started by choosing a pool of 800 hymns and 150 responses based on suggestions from the entire congregation. Many of the newer selections in this pool had demonstrated their appeal and 'staying power' during the past ten years. Next, a Hymn Selection Committee representing diverse congregational backgrounds sang and rated each of the hymns, selecting more than 500 for inclusion here. Because half our membership comes from a denomination other than Congregational or UCC, the hymn choices reflect many religious traditions, and feature expansive language and progressive theology.

Initially our effort was to be a one-time only printing, just for our congregation. But word of our project spread and, by press-time, we were joined by four other churches, all UCC-affiliated:
  • North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury, VT
  • First Congregational Church of Hendersonville, NC
  • First Parish Church Congregational of Dover, NH
  • First Congregational UCC of Appleton, WI
Since the first printing, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response from other churches. Today, 114 churches listed below are singing from the hymnal. The 15th printing was completed in the spring of 2018.

Our Story