Inspired by Chaplain Ray O'Neill, the Old Fashioned Community Hymn Sing was launched March 16, 2014. The event is held on the third Sunday of each month in the evening from 6:00 to 7:15 PM in the Chapel at Palm Village Retirement Community in Reedley, CA. Each month, the program is set around a theme. The program begins with 15 minutes of piano and organ music and a slide show to inspire the audie
nce with the spirit of the theme for the program. The first half of the program includes pre-planned songs while the second half of the program is opened up to songs by audience requests. In addition to the songs sung by the audience, a special guest is usually included who sings a song or two, a guest speaker gives a short message, a short story about the origin of a hymn is told then sung, and the program is opened and closed in prayer. The program is planned and performed to honor the Holy Spirit of God. After the program, all are welcome to mingle and fellowship with refreshments at Barbara's Cafe. The hymn books used were published in 1971 by the General Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches, Library of Congress catalog card number 74-152488. They are no longer available.
