[Marysecretary]

I tried to find a song in the new hymnal that I could sing at a funeral (was asked to sing when I came in) and I looked through it and was astounded that I couldn't really find anything I knew. I don't even think they have Onward Christian Soldiers in it anymore. bye bye Methodists...

[Fiji Hill]

"Onward, Christian Soldiers" is Hymn #575 in the 1989 version of The United Methodist Hymnal, which is currently in use. Back in the 1980's, traditionalist Methodists had to fight to keep this tune in the hymnal. You may be interested to know that the hymn was written in 1871 by Arthur S. Sullivan, who teamed up with William S. Gilbert to produce the "Gilbert & Sullivan" musical shows.