ST. LOUIS — Hymns proclaim the Gospel by pointing us to Jesus. Christians inherited hymns as they’ve been passed down through generations—and they deserve to be used on a daily basis. New daily devotion book from authors and musicians Richard C. Resch and Daniel Zager, Abide With Us: Daily Hymn Devotions, uses hymns as the basis for a full year of devotions. Each devotion and its accompanying hymn verse will encourage and guide readers through their text and melodies. The book is available now on the Concordia Publishing House website.
“Whether we sing, speak, or read silently these miniature sermons of the church, our faith is strengthened for daily living and in anticipation of the sure and certain hope of eternal life,” Resch and Zager write. “Our hymns proclaim the Gospel by pointing us to Jesus. They help each of us to recall our Baptism and to anticipate with deep reverence and holy joy the presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Our hymns teach us, encourage us, and console us.”
Starting on January 1, readers will immerse themselves in a daily devotion that includes a stanza from a Lutheran Service Book hymn, a Bible verse, and a one-page reflection.
Visit cph.org for more information about the book. Contact Erica Sontag to schedule an interview with the author.
About the Authors
Richard C. Resch is Professor and Kantor Emeritus from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, where he served for thirty-five years as Kantor and Professor of hymnody and church music. He founded the Seminary Kantorei and the Good Shepherd Institute of Pastoral Theology and Sacred Music. He holds a bachelor of music from Valparaiso University, a master of music from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), and a master of divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary. He was a member of the Hymnody Committee for Lutheran Service Book (2006).
Daniel Zager is retired from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), where he served for more than twenty years as Associate Dean and Head of the Sibley Music Library and Associate Professor of music. Zager holds a bachelor of music in organ performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master of arts and a doctorate in musicology from the University of Minnesota. He was a member of the Hymnody Committee for Lutheran Service Book (2006).
