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This HeungGu is the HeungGu?
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This HeungGu is the HeungGu?
Several days ago an elder friend of my wife who attended the Seoul YongNak Presbyterian Church had called. She was one of the people who had plotted (?) with others to get me and my wife married. She has two sons who are both studying abroad in the United States. Her younger son studied vocals in a music college in Seoul National College and came to United States to continue his studies. During the 9th “Praise and Thanks Night” which was held in the East Coast, he was nearby in the city of Philadelphia which was close to New Jersey and had sung two of the hymns graciously. I was listening to the recording of that time and decided to write this.
She had called my wife when she had visited her son’s place. She heard of the hymns that I wrote and composed by Elder GilSang Kwon had been published as a book. About 3 years ago, after her son had visited, she had called. The call was to discuss about the “Seoul YoungNak Presbyterian Church Composer’s Committee” and wanted to have hymns written, and wanted to collect some of the hymns. She said to send any of the hymns that I have written.
I have written several times in “Praise and Thanks” that the YoungNak Presbyterian Church was the starting point of my faith. The meeting group had formed because today there are so many CCM praise songs being published, but there is lack of hymns to be sung by the choir. Hearing this news, I sent the head of music department, assistant head and director of composers a copy of the past 8 “Praise and Thanks Night” CDs along with the book of “Collection of 122 Hymns”, and 15 other hymns that were not composed.
In December 30th of 2011, I was able to see the 1st “YoungNak Presbyterian Church Conductor’s Performance Night” and saw that the choir was able to sing 3 of my hymns through the video and the program list. I was so glad and happy. The church that I started believe Jesus, was baptized. I had taught several bible study groups there, from high school to young adults. I also had taught evangelism class, and young adult’s direction committee. I had given all my passion and strength to the Lord. This was my home church and my lacking writings were being sung there…
The area of performance was where the middle school bible study groups met, called the “Mission Memorial Building”.
I was blessed seeing the many young adults being conducted by the composers themselves. I had preached the book of Jonahs at one point during sermon contest conference. It was also when I was appointed as a deacon and had greeted in front of many of the church leaders.
I heard that the main choir had sung the hymns that I wrote. From the 4 composers there were 12 of my poems that were made into a hymn. The elder friend of my wife had been in the choir member for several years before her marriage. She had called my wife to tell the great news of how 3 of my poems that were composed were sung by her during the main service. Even now, several of the choir members who knew me asked the elder if “this HengGu is the same HeungGu who used to attend our church?” when they had saw who the writer of the hymn was.
During the early days of YoungNak Presbyterian Church, Reverend KyungChik Han had told us during his preaching, “There should be poems written by those who write, and through the composers, hymns would be sung from hymns that we compose and write.” After 12 long years of his passing, his words had become true. Every year twice, new hymns are performed by those who compose with their passion in God, and inspired through him. How beautiful it is to see the main choir sing with passion.
I wish and pray that through these God’s inspired praise hymns those who attend the service would be in full of grace.
(2014 January 25th)
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Why didn’t you come? (1) 
This HeungGu is the HeungGu?