Let Us Worship
Pat Dys reflects on Scripture, the words we sing, and the place of music in Christian worship.
The Journal
Essays by Pat Dys, ideas for reading and singing, and news from our family at Heritage Press.
Books in preparation
A collection for difficult seasons, a year of reading and singing the Psalms, and new words for Christmas worship.
Choose a hymn for a Scripture passage
Follow a real entry in the Heritage Hymns Scripture index, then read the hymn and try its suggested tune.
Choosing poetry for devotional reading
Choose a Christian poetry book by reading a poem, noticing its relationship to Scripture, and considering how you want to use it.
Three poems for reading and prayer
Read three complete Christian poems by Pat Dys, with their book references and suggested hymn tunes: I Believe, Great Are the Mysteries of God, and Psalm 1.
Read and sing together at home
Read Scripture, sing one hymn, and make time for conversation as a family.
Understanding hymn tunes and meter
Make sense of the names and numbers on a hymn page, then find a melody and begin singing.
A hymn discussion for a small group
Prepare a flexible 20–30 minute gathering around I Believe, with time to listen, discuss the words, and close in prayer or song.
A little space to write
Start a prayer journal with a passage, a few honest notes, and a prayer in your own words.
Reading a hymn slowly
Read a passage, linger with a hymn, and respond to God in prayer and song.
Begin singing with Psalm 1
Read, listen, and sing through Pat Dys's Psalm 1 poem using St. Peter, the tune of How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.
The Lord God Gives and Takes Away
Read Pat Dys's poem on God's sovereignty, hardship, and comfort.
What is a psalter?
A psalter gathers the Psalms for reading or singing. Learn the difference between a biblical text, a metrical setting, and Heritage Psalter's devotional poetry.