On another thread Gabriel wrote:...some items such as hymns might either appear to too frequently - or a greater risk be used one week when they may have been more effective the next. I do try to avoid that
Is repeating a hymn two weeks running such a bad thing though? I don't have a problem doing it when it seems a hymn is appropriate two weeks running. I would never avoid something appropriate this week simply because it was more appropriate next. It happened during the 'bread of life' weeks that have just passed. We had "O praise our great and gracious Lord" after communion on Sunday 17 and as an opener on 18. "All who hunger gather gladly" opened 17 and 19 and 21.
I'm with you on that and, indeed, repeated at least one hymn during the recent 'bread of life' sequence. Indeed, I would go further. If I want to introduce a new hymn, I will usually repeat it for a week or bring it back a couple of weeks after the first 'go' (unless it is inappropriate), so that people get the chance to get to know it.
I have nothing against the repetition of a hymn over a couple of weeks. But there are times when it is more apposite the second week and I fear this may dilute its value when repeated. It is also something to do with my prejudice that though there are definitely members of our congregation who recognise that hymns are chosen to reflect the Liturgy of the Word I am sure there will still be many who have not given it a thought. These may think we sing our favourites and we had just run out of ideas!
