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Rating: 
Summary: By far the best hymnal available
Review: I have found no better hymnal than the United Methodist Hymnal. It is rich with the great classics of Protestant tradition, drawing on the great heritage of English and American folk songs and the poetry of Charles Wesley. Most of the old standbys are here, as well as a great many wonderful new hymns -- both new words to old tunes as well as a number of new tunes. The Hymnal's only downfall, perhaps, is its attempt at great scope and democracy, including spirituals, songs from Vietnam, India, and Africa, contemporary hymns in unusual styles, even a Charles Ives song! These are fun, but many are not extremely useful even in the most forward-looking worship environments. The Hymnal also lacks many good new songs from the "contemporary" worship movement. However, just recently the UMC has released a valuable supplement to the hymnal ("The Faith We Sing") that includes many of these songs, as well as many new hymns embracing feminism, racial reconciliation, and environmentalism. These harmonizations here are the best around, thanks especially to Carlton R. Young, and the layout is clear and attractive. There is also a wealth of readings and prayers for throughout the liturgical year, many written by Laurence Hull Stookey. All in all, this is a highly satisfying hymnal, immensely useful for a variety of worship styles and denominations; perhaps especially useful in combination with other resources for contemporary worship.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of thought went into this
Review: I used the hymnal often in my sunday school class as a source of prayers to share in unison reading. Since we weren't singers we also read the text of hymns. The variety of sources in one volume was very useful. My class was elderly women and none objected to the new Hymnal. Despite its inclusion of "new" material I don't feel it will outdate as quickly as many of the faddish hymnals of the 70's
Rating: 
Summary: Other uses
Review: I used the hymnal often in my sunday school class as a source of prayers to share in unison reading. Since we weren't singers we also read the text of hymns. The variety of sources in one volume was very useful. My class was elderly women and none objected to the new Hymnal. Despite its inclusion of "new" material I don't feel it will outdate as quickly as many of the faddish hymnals of the 70's
Rating:
Summary: Best Hymnal / Prayerbook out
Review: This hymnal contains roughly 679 hymns proper, organized theologically rather then by season (there is a section called "Particular Times of Worship" for seasonal hymns and carols). They include old favorites like "O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing", and newer songs like "Come Sunday", and translations of patristic and medieval hymns. Collects, canticles, and bits of sacred poetry are scattered throughout the hymnal alongside hymns expressing similar sentiments- the Psalter contains only the Psalms. In addition, the Hymmnal contains the United Methodist liturgies for the usual morning service, Baptism, Communion(with musical settings), marriages, and funerals. There are also orders for weekday Morning and Evening Prayer and Praise, which is as far as I know unprecedented in Methodism. One slight deficiency- the UM Hymnal contains no church calendar or lectionary at all. This is unfortunate, especially as the Hymnal is otherwise so complete.
Rating:
Summary: Best Hymnal / Prayerbook out
Review: This hymnal contains roughly 679 hymns proper, organized theologically rather then by season (there is a section called "Particular Times of Worship" for seasonal hymns and carols). They include old favorites like "O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing", and newer songs like "Come Sunday", and translations of patristic and medieval hymns. Collects, canticles, and bits of sacred poetry are scattered throughout the hymnal alongside hymns expressing similar sentiments- the Psalter contains only the Psalms. In addition, the Hymmnal contains the United Methodist liturgies for the usual morning service, Baptism, Communion(with musical settings), marriages, and funerals. There are also orders for weekday Morning and Evening Prayer and Praise, which is as far as I know unprecedented in Methodism. One slight deficiency- the UM Hymnal contains no church calendar or lectionary at all. This is unfortunate, especially as the Hymnal is otherwise so complete.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of thought went into this
Review: This is one of the best hymnals available, if you can get past the inclusive language. Its wide range of selections and worship resources will appeal to all Christians.
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