#189 "O Thou, Before the World Began"

This hymn was included in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal, but was added to the congregational section for the 1985 hymnbook.  This hymn was new to me.  I like the message because it teaches that Jesus Christ was foreordained to by our Savior.  The music was a little difficult because of the accidentals.

#188 "Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done"

I found an interesting note in Karen Lynn Davidson's book, Our Latter-Day Hymns, about this hymn.  The composer of the tune had written the music for Hymn #135 "My Redeemer Lives", but another tune was chosen instead of his for the 1985 hymnal.  His tune was paired with the words of "Thy Will, O Lord, Be Done".  It's nice to know that I could have the choir use the tune of #188 with the words of #135 as a special choir number.
I've used this hymn as a choir number for Easter because it is not well-known to the congregation.  The tune is unusual, but I still like it.  It was a little tricky to play because of the accidentals, but with a little work I should be able to play it smoothly.

#187 "God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son"

This is one of my favorite sacrament hymns.  I love the alto part on this song--it was one of the first songs on which I learned to sing alto. 
This is a tricky song to lead because the prep beat is on count one.  I like to use a rebound when I lead this hymn.
For organ, I use the preset #3 and it sounds lovely.  We always sing all five verses to make the hymn's message complete.

#186 "Again We Meet Around the Board"

This hymn was included in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal and is now in the congregation section of the 1985 hymnbook.  This hymn is only slightly familiar to me.  I've never used in a sacrament meeting due to its unfamiliarity for most congregations.  It would be nice to sing once the congregation learned the music.

#185 "Reverently and Meekly Now"

I remember learning this hymn in the old Monterey Park Ward and liking it.  In the 1985 hymnal, it has a lowered key and the instrumental portion was deleted.  I kind of liked the old arrangement because it seemed more dramatic. 
The text is quite interesting because it is as if the Savior is saying/singing the words.  It is all in the first person.  Some people have a hard time with the words "with my blood that dripped like rain" but we all need to remember that the crucifixion was not pretty--it was very bloody.
I haven't scheduled this as a sacrament hymn, but only because it is a little difficult to sing and there are a couple of tricky notes in it.  I think the congregation would like it, once they were familiar with it.

#184 "Upon the Cross of Calvary"

This sacrament hymn would be perfect for an Easter hymn, too.  Each of the three verses begins with "Upon the cross...".  I have a note in my personal hymnal for the following organ registrations:
8' Principal; 8' Flute; 4' Spitz Flute.
This hymn is easy to play and sing.  We use it frequently in our sacrament meeting services.

#183 "In Remembrance of Thy Suffering"

This hymn was listed in the choir section of the 1950 hymnal.  Now it has joined the ranks of the congregational hymns.  The triplets make it a little tricky to sing and play, but I like the challenge it brings.  We rarely sing this in sacrament meeting, but I think it would be nice to schedule it so the congregation can begin to love it, too!