Hymns for Worship CD-ROM
 
Can I freely reproduce the hymns on the Hymns for Worship CD-ROM?

The Hymns for Worship CD-ROM does not include an overall license to reproduce the materials contained on it. The software does take care of much of the hassle associated with rights and permissions, by automatically producing a permission request letter any time you download a hymn that you need permission to reprint.

• About 50% of Hymns for Worship content is in the public domain — no permission is needed to reprint!
• About 50% of the hymns on this CD-ROM will require additional permission:
  • About 25% are covered by the Augsburg Fortress Liturgy and Song Annual License
  • About 15% are covered by the CCLI license (must be purchased separately)
  • About 10% are held by other licensors (including GIA and New Dawn) and individual copyright holders

Visit the Augsburg Fortress Liturgy and Song Annual License — a suitable license for owners of Hymns for Worship. For a modest annual fee this license will provide a convenient way to reprint words and melodies of Augsburg Fortress copyrights for congregational use, without repeated requests for each item each time.


What does this do for me?

Many congregations have decided to prepare comprehensive service folders every Sunday, by season, or on special occasions that contain all materials needed by the worshiper — including hymns. For the first time Lutheran congregations will have electronic formats of the words and music of hymns compiled from several major denominational books and several smaller collections as well, ready to be downloaded into the worship folder.

This is especially important as congregations use hymns from more than one printed resource. Hymns for Worship downloaded into your service folder can alleviate the difficulties of "book-juggling."


How will the hymns appear?

For nearly all the hymns, you may choose from a text-only version or a graphic image containing the melody line and words (the format advocated by many contemporary worship leaders). Many of the hymns may also be downloaded in a harmony version.


Are the harmonies singable?

For those hymns supplied with a harmony version we've chosen an easily singable harmony. In some cases we've supplied standard vocal harmonies in place of the keyboard accompaniment that had appeared in the printed source. In a very few cases we've included a singing harmony that is slightly different from the hymnal, in order to avoid further copyright permissions issues, or to provide a harmonization that is more common ecumenically. Melody versions alone are included for hymns that are best suited to unison singing and for most public domain texts and tunes that were originally published with a copyrighted harmonization (setting).


What hymnal contents are included?

Nearly all of the hymns from the following principal and supplemental worship and song books are included: Lutheran Book of Worship, With One Voice, This Far by Faith, and Worship & Praise Songbook. A selection of bilingual hymns from Libro de Liturgia y Cántico is also included.


What additional collections are represented?

We've included songs from recent Augsburg Fortress publications such as Dancing at the Harvest by Ray Makeever, O Blessed Spring by Susan Palo Cherwien, Global Songs 2 by Bread for the Journey, Bread of Life Songs by Jeremy Young. There are also selected hymn favorites from the hymnals of our full communion partners and other ecumenical sources.


Explain "Additional permisions required."

As with a printed hymn resource, the only copy the buyer of Hymns for Worship is entitled to possess is the copy that was purchased. To duplicate the material on the CD-ROM requires additional permissions (with the exception of public domain hymnody). Persons who own annual licenses for CCLI, GIA, etc. may reproduce material from Hymns for Worship under the terms of these licenses. Augsburg Fortress has announced an Augsburg Fortress Liturgy and Song Annual License for congregational song materials.


Why didn't AFP get copyright permission for me?

The majority of publishers are neither legally required nor willing to allow AFP to administer their copyrights, not even for a fee. This is especially true in a time when the rights of composers and authors to fair compensation for their work are under challenge on the Internet and elsewhere.


Will Hymns for Worship assist me with obtaining copyright permissions?

Yes! Complete copyright information as of the date of publication will be included for every hymn, tune and arrangement, along with contact information for each copyright holder. And the software will include a tool that will facilitate getting the proper permission, by generating a fax or e-mail communication that can be forwarded to the copyright owner.


I don't read music or have hymn titles memorized. How will this resource help me recognize and choose hymns?

This software contains a searchable database to quickly locate the hymns and songs you need — just enter a key word or phrase, or search by hymn collection. The playback reference feature lets you hear the melodies on your computer.


What other search functions are included?

You may search for hymns based on scripture, theme, season, hymn tune, lectionary connection and more.


How does Hymns for Worship work with the other Lutheran Resources for Worship Computer Series resources?

Hymns for Worship fills out the set so that you have all the components needed for a complete service folder. Use it in combination with Lutheran Book of Worship Liturgies (liturgical music and texts from LBW), With One Voice Liturgies (the same from WOV), Words for Worship 2003 (lectionary texts, seasonal worship texts, and psalms), and Graphics for Worship 2.0 (seasonal art images) or Icon (weekly art images) for a start-to-finish professional look to your weekly worship folder.