Praise the Lord online: Major hymn book goes digital

LONDON (Reuters) - Churches across the world are able to sing the Lord's praises online after the launch of the first major digital hymn book on Thursday.

Mission Praise -- which has sold more than two million copies as one of most popular hymn books in Britain and around the world -- is now available at www.missionpraise.com.

Visitors to the site will be able to search through more than 1800 songs and -- for an annual subscription of 40 pounds ($79) per book -- download words, sheet music, accompanying audio backing tracks.

They can also create playlists for their own orders of service which can be saved and shared with others online.

Mission Praise was first published in the early 1980s to coincide with a visit to Britain by the American evangelist Billy Graham in 1984. It was the first hymn book to combine traditional hymns with newer songs of praise.

Publishers HarperCollins said the digital book would be an answer for church leaders and congregations keen to use new technology during services.

"As churches increasingly use video projection to display hymns on large screens for their congregations, the site will provide an invaluable resource, enabling quick and simple access to material electronically." HarperCollins said.

(Reporting by Kate Kelland. Editing by Paul Casciato)