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Top New Christian Worship Songs Each Month
For worship leaders in small churches, keep your worship fresh with 3 new songs for your intergenerational, contemporary church.
Every month, I hunt through worship songs to find one fast song, one medium song, and one slow song to share that will work for smaller congregations with smaller worship bands. As a worship leader in a small church, I feel your pain:
- We need songs that are in singable ranges.
- We need songs that work with limited instruments and just a few vocalists.
- And we need songs that amateur musicians can play.
Along with 3 songs each month, I toss in some worship leading wisdom specific to small churches and extra tips to pass along to your team as well.
Should Worship Planning Be Different For Easter?
Springtime is all about newness. Whether your church officially observes the season of Lent or not, the season of spring naturally leads to Easter. Christ’s journey from the cradle to the cross should be at the forefront of our minds as we plan for Easter worship.
For a better understanding of the season of Lent, check out Why This Evangelical Worship Leader Celebrates Lent.
As you look to Easter worship, while Christ’s resurrection, of course, is the focus, the story is so much larger. The Resurrection is one piece of God’s love story for us, His plan for redemption, and the hope of our resurrection with the promise of eternal life.
This is why Easter is one of the few holidays when non-churchgoers sometimes consider darkening the doors of the church. Easter is the hope of a God who really did reach down to humanity.
So, it’s not that Easter worship should be “better” than any other Sunday, but here are a few things that set it apart:
More People Attend Church On Easter
Don’t waste the opportunity to reach deep into the hearts of visitors and worshipers who you may not see every Sunday.
More Non-Church-Goers Attend Church On Easter
Whether out of curiosity, nostalgia, or visiting family, new people will be in your midst. Be thoughtful in your worship song choices, considering those who are less familiar with your worship. Read about The Dos & Don’ts Of Planning Worship For Easter And Christmas.
Worshipers Anticipate Newness & Celebration
Sadly, I’ve planned a few Easter services that just didn’t feel very resurrection-worthy. I know that God is pleased with heart-felt worship, but there is also joy in celebration. And Easter really isn’t just any other Sunday! So, it’s worth the time for thoughtful consideration and extra rehearsal.
A Special Note For Easter Worship In A Pandemic
Now, if you are reading this post in the year it was written (2020), we are in a bit of an uncertain time here in the U.S. and across the globe with the coronavirus wreaking havoc. Most of us are not sure if we will be worshiping in our church building, streaming live services, or not be able to gather at all on Resurrection Sunday.
Keep in mind, we have a powerful and creative God who is not surprised by a virus. And uncertain times, whether tragedy, war, or illness, are not unique to our era. God’s church will worship no matter what our circumstances.
As a worship leader, you are still called to lead in worship even in these times. With the blessing of modern communication, cell phones, video chats, and so many resources on the internet, don’t set aside your calling.
Even in physical isolation, look for ways to lead worship: Share worship lessons, prayers, and songs however you can! Write a blog for your church website or Facebook page, post a worship song each day on your personal feed, or make a phone call each day to someone in your church who is not internet-friendly.
Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 ERV
Worship In Newness & Expectation In Any Circumstance
So, delve into these new worship songs. Encourage your team to learn and practice at home if needed, share these songs with your church members through whatever means possible, and keep your personal craft moving forward and your spiritual fervor ignited.
For past monthly song choices, click the link for Top 3 New Worship Songs: February 2020, or type “songs” into the search bar at the top of your screen to find an entire archive of great songs and worship leading wisdom, especially for small churches.
March 2020 Edition: Top New Worship Songs For Small Churches
1. Gone (Elevation Worship)
- Tempo: Fast
- CCLI Song #: 7129061
- David Mutendji | Steven Furtick
- My chosen singable key: E
- 2019
“Gone” Is A Motivating Declaration
This is the song I was hoping to find! While you may opt out of singing the “Whoas” that open this song, “Gone” is a fabulous pick for Easter worship and for your everyday playlist! The pulse of this song speaks to the strength and power of the gospel message. It is a motivating declaration of the transforming power of the Resurrection in our daily lives.
Chorus:
Gone, gone – Now my sin is dead and gone
And I sing hallelujah
Done, done – He is risen it is done
And I sing hallelujah
The rhythm of this song calls for confident leadership. Take the time to practice this song well so you can lead from strength. While this song edges slightly on the “almost-too-rock-&-roll” side for an older congregation, if your team falls in love with it and can lead it well, go for it.
The Potential Of Percussion In Worship Bands
Ever since my son started playing drums, I can’t help but notice how much percussion changes the energy of a song –– not just the inclusion of percussion, but the variance of percussion in different sections of songs. As you listen to “Gone”, especially notice the drums on the bridge section, which sings:
How great the power of the blood … I am the righteousness of God …
As a worship leader in a small church, I know you may or may not even have a drummer right now. I’ve had many Sundays without percussion, some with a skeleton band, and some with a single acoustic guitar. And God is faithful and we still worship fully!
But if you have the opportunity to encourage a developing percussionist, do it! This song is a great example of how great percussion can drive a worship song to its potential.
2. Fill This Place (Red Rocks Worship)
- Tempo: Medium
- CCLI Song # 7035233
- Jake Espy | Jerrica Matrone
- My chosen singable key: E
- 2014 / 2017
“Fill This Place” Is A Super Versatile Song For Your Worship Order
This song hits the spot in so many ways. This song begins with a medium tempo and a moving beat and slows to softer worship as it beckons God to “come and fill this place.”
Embrace this song and you can use it in so many places in your worship order. “Fill This Place” is an ideal transition from your faster worship into a slower set, a time of prayer, or even a pause for silence.
But, Wait! 2014 Isn’t NEW!
Now, if you’re saying, “Hey Laurie, you promised us three NEW songs every month –– and the year 2014 isn’t NEW.” Yeah, I get it. I had the same thought.
But this is just too good not to share, and it is “new” to me. I have no idea if I missed this great song or it just didn’t make the rounds in the church worship scene for some reason, but this is a moving song.
Very doable for a smaller worship team, beautifully singable, and relatable across generations.
Verse 1:
There is a Light that burns in the darkness
There is a Hope that washes the fear away
There is a Peace that settles around us
It is Your love that sets our hearts ablaze
I’m including 2 different YouTube links here, which I never do! But depending on your church culture, band, or mood, I think they are both worth checking out!
If you gave it a listen, you heard the chorus and bridge, both of which could lead seamlessly into another slower worship song.
I will be experimenting with some medleys with this one, and maybe even a mash-up. I’ll update this post when I find a good fit! (And if you find one first, would you please share it in the comments below?)
3. Remember (Bryan & Katie Torwalt)
- Tempo: Slow
- CCLI Song # 7137331
- Ben Fielding | Benjamin Hastings | Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt
- My chosen singable key: D
- 2019
“Remember” Reminds Us Who We’re Talking To
With a folksy feel, Bryan & Katie Torwalt once again deliver truth, depth, and transformation with lyrics that speak deeply to our spirits. How quickly we forget who we are speaking to …
Chorus:
(And) oh my soul
Remember who you’re talking to
The only One who death bows to
That’s the God who walks with you
Pare Back To Simple Instrumentation For “Remember”
Led with guitar, piano, keyboard, or even strings, if you have a strong vocalist, don’t complicate it. Pare back your band and think “less is more.” Your worshipers will sense a freshness in the simplicity.
Teach Easter Songs Early
If you’ve followed me at all, you know one of my core beliefs is that we worship most fully to familiar songs. So the last thing you want to do is introduce 3 new songs at a time. Worshipers may enjoy the songs and the newness, but they won’t be drawn in to the same depth.
If you are in love with one of these for your Easter service, introduce it a few weeks ahead of time, and include it in your worship order at least twice before then.
Surround any newer song on Easter with more familiar worship songs or even a well-known traditional hymn. In that way, you show sensitivity to newcomers and still have your fresh edge!
Read More
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