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The third annual Hymns and Songs of Praise drew another big crowd to Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church Saturday afternoon(September 8).

The program, organised by the church in the South Pacific's Institute of Worship, risked playing a secondary role to bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey, who spoke on the Lake Macquarie campus on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Instead, it attracted similar numbers. "There's a lot of life in traditional Christian hymn singing," said director Dr Lyell Heise, who served as host and conducted the orchestra. "One of our aims is to preserve the powerful tradition of hymn singing while celebrating the new voice through which we're telling the old, old story," says Dr Heise.

Senior music lecturer Dr Robb Dennis conducted the Avondale Singers and vocal ensemble The Promise, which led the congregational singing. He says the program is important because "it shows the younger generation there are hymns relevant to them."

"If I were to sum up Hymns and Songs, I'd say it's for those who value music, but who may not find their spirits satisfied with the worship experiences available to them week-to-week." Says Dr. Heise.

The program ended with a rousing rendition of Isaac Watts' "When I survey the wondrous cross," written in 1707. "Hymns are old but still meaningful," said Arthur Hudson, a fourth-year theology student. "We still find hope in them."

Credit: Ann Stafford