Hymns on Sunday

It’s thanks to the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust for the recording of our opening hymn this week, Shirley Murray’s God bless our land. The Trust was set up to encourage the writing, publication and… Read more Audio

Hymns to mark the start of the Season of Creation include For the beauty of the earth and Shirley Murray’s Touch the earth lightly. Read more Audio

Hubert Parry's familiar tune 'Jerusalem' begins this week's programme, paired with words by choir director and artist, Arthur Grimshaw: Sing to the Lord a new song. Read more Audio

Hymns by 'Tims’ feature in this week’s programme: English hymn writer Timothy Dudley-Smith and Timothy Rees, who was Bishop of Llandaff in the 1930s. Read more Audio

We're marking the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of God in this week's programme with hymns including Immaculate Mary and Ka Waiata. Read more Audio

Hymns to mark the Feast of the Transfiguration today, including Christ whose glory fills the skies and Be still, for the presence of the Lord. Read more Audio

It's all about descants today - those soaring vocal lines above the melody that are often sung on the final verse of hymns. Read more Audio

We're celebrating the birthday of Isaac Watts (17 July 1674) this week. He's often described as 'the father of English hymnody'. Read more Audio

The season of Matariki has begun. It’s a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. This week’s programme touches on some of those… Read more Audio

We're marking 'Sea Sunday' in the programme this week. The second Sunday in July is designated in the liturgical calendar as a day of prayer for seafarers - it's a time to remember and celebrate those… Read more Audio

There's a focus this week on the Elements - hymns that reference Earth, Wind, Water or Fire. Read more Audio

The Auckland-based Handel Quire gets this week’s programme off to a great start with Isaac Watts’ hymn Lord of the worlds above. Read more Audio