Contest starts for disaster-response hymn

LCMS Disaster Response is sponsoring a contest for original wording of a hymn.

Dec. 31 is the contest deadline. Multiple entries from the same individual will be allowed.

The applicant whose text is chosen will receive $500.

Hymn-text entries should be suitable for use by congregations that have experienced natural or man-made disasters and for other congregations to use as they remember or empathize with congregations hit by disasters.

Applicants also must identify a tune with which each submitted text may be sung — a tune that is both familiar to LCMS congregations and in the public domain.

A downloadable flier for the contest notes that hymn texts:

“should serve to remind God’s people of His mercy, in spite of what has happened.”

“should point the suffering to the objective comfort of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as delivered through the Means of Grace.”

“should strengthen our church’s understanding of the body of Christ (i.e., when one member suffers, we all suffer).”

“may encourage God’s people to show mercy to those who are suffering.”

“should refer to natural or man-made disasters.”

“should be general enough to apply to many types of disasters.”

Applicants should send submissions (along with their contact information) by mail to the Rev. Michael Meyer; LCMS Disaster Response; 1333 S. Kirkwood Road; St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; or email michael.meyer@lcms.org.

Those with questions about the contest may contact Meyer.

Posted Aug. 14, 2014