This Fall, we will begin featuring hymn stories about some of the hymns being shared in our hymnsing. Each week will have a different hymn story about the song’s composition and the author. We hope you enjoy learning more about these songs of our faith!

Mark 10:27 – “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’”

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A Morning Prayer for Our Children:

(Feel free to say each line and have your child repeat what you say or say it as you pray together.)

Dear God,
Go with me today, everywhere I go, and with my family too.
Wrap us in your kind blanket of care and love.
Keep us all safe as we go on our way. Amen

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For “littles” and “young at heart”
Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man

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He Touched Me

Written by Bill Gather in 1963

Hymn Background:

While Bill Gaither was accompanying Dr. Dale Oldham on his evangelistic crusades, the preacher said to him, “Bill, the word ‘touch’ is a very popular word. It comes up so often in the New Testament stories about Jesus touching people’s eyes and healing them, or touching people’s lives and changing them. It’s a special, spiritual word and you ought to write a song that praises His touch.” So he did. That week, Dr. Oldham’s son Doug Oldham began singing it in the meetings. The Bill Gaither Trio recorded it in 1964.

In 1965, The Imperials first recorded “He Touched Me” for their album The Happy Sounds of Jake Hess and the Imperials, then recorded a newer version in 1969 for the album Love Is The Thing. It was this version that Elvis Presley heard, and made him want to record it himself. On May 5, 1971, Elvis recorded it—along with the Imperials (as backup singers)—and was released as a single. It became the title track of his 1972 Grammy Award-winning album He Touched Me. In 1972, due to Elvis’ version of the song being popular, Terry Meeuwsen performed a cover version of the song as her talent for Miss America 1973. She won the title.