racial implications of many traditional uses where "dark" was meant as negative, bad, or evil, the hymnal has sought to find different language to indicate the contrast or show the absence of light ("shadows" instead of "darkness", or "drive the storms of doubt away" instead of "drive the dark of doubt away", as examples) Language about people's abilities: "If the hymn indicates that one must walk or see in this life to participate in the faith, then a change is warranted. If the hymn indicates that walking or seeing or hearing are things that happen when one is utterly overwhelmed by finding oneself in the presence of God in the hereafter, then a change is not necessary." The language revisions made necessary by these principles became very controversial upon the hymnal's release. Some congregations, mainly from more liberal backgrounds , found the changes liberating, while other ones, typically of moderate-to-conservative theological or social bent , have refused to adopt the new hymnal because they feel the changes were too "radical". Most often, however, complaints about the changes are not theological, but rather because the updated language is seen as un-poetic or as conflicting against the congregation's stored memory (these complaints are particularly made in relation to Christmas carols and American songs, such as America the Beautiful). Similarly, the printing of this hymnal left stanzas disappearing into the binding (instead of leaving enough margin for a binding), and musical lines of text and notes that are poorly typeset on the page. Finally, the omission of certain bass notes in the melodies seem to place an emphasis on singing only the melody and not the harmony in a particular hymn. The 1995 issues of Prism (the theological journal of the UCC) contain critiques and criticisms of the new hymnal. Hymnal Contents Orders for Worship Service of Word and Sacrament I Service of Word and Sacrament II Service of the Word I Service of the Word II Service of the Word III Order for Baptism Order for Confirmation: Affirmation of Baptism Order for Reception of Members: Affirmation of Baptism Order for Thanksgiving for One Who Has Died Morning Prayer Evening Prayer Hymns Hymns of Praise The Holy Trinity God Jesus Christ Holy Spirit Opening of Worship Close of Worship Morning Evening Hymns for the Christian Year Advent Christmas Epiphany Baptism of Jesus Transfiguration Lent Ash Wednesday Palm/Passion Sunday Holy Week Easter Easter Season