I’ve always found it very successful to ‘mix it up’ on Easter- using a combination of both contemporary AND traditional hymns. Yes, there are so many wonderful ‘new’ songs that work well on Easter, but we can’t forget about the treasures we’ve sung for so many years as a church. It doesn’t mean they need to be played on the organ, but I think most assemblies would expect to hear ‘Jesus Christ Is Risen Today’ on Easter Sunday! And rightfully so.
I remember one year, a couple days after Easter Sunday, the music office received a letter from someone who was disappointed that we didn’t sing any songs with ‘Alleluia’ in them. They were right. We didn’t even realize it until then. Sure, we picked songs that were fitting and seemed appropriate, but we TOTALLY missed the boat on that. That has stuck with me ever since. So, get those ‘Alleluias’ in there!
We also sing an altered/edited version of my setting of ‘This Is the Day:Psalm 118.’ Basically, the assembly echoes every phrase of the Refrain, including the last. (‘and be glad…and be glad.’) For the verses, depending on the cantor/soloist, we might alter the melody toward the end of the verse to make it a bit easier. For ‘Let the house of Israel say:” we sing Bb-C-D-D-C-G-A. For ‘His love endures forever” we sing: A-B-C C-C-B-A-A-G A
Now for some song ideas…
*Above All by Leblanc/Baloche (Integrity/CCLI) (found in the collection Voices As One vol. 2)
Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith (Sony/ATV/CCLI) – lots of alleluias! (great as a post-communion praise song)
Alive Again by Matt Maher (spiritandsong.com) (from the CD All the People Said Amen)
All Around by Jacob and Matthew Band (WLP) (from the CD Every Day and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
All Creatures of Our God and King (arr. Crowder) – lots of alleluias!
All Creatures of Our God and King – traditional – lots of alleluias!
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Giglio/Tomlin (worshiptogether.com)
**At the Name of Jesus by Ed Bolduc (WLP) (from the CD Hymns and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
Because He Lives by Matt Maher (various)
Christ Is Risen by Maher/Fields (spiritandsong.com) (from the CD All the People Said Amen)
Christ Reigns by Paul Melley (GIA) (from the CD God Is Love)
Easter Song by Aaron Thompson (WLP) (from the CD 10,000 Angels and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
**Give Glory by Jacob and Matthew Band (WLP) (from the CD Every Day and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
God Is Love by Paul Melley (GIA) (from the CD God Is Love)
Happy Day by Hughes/Cantelon (worshiptogether.com)
*He Is Exalted by Twila Paris (EMI/CCLI) – listen to sample with ‘Hosanna’s’ added at the end (also found in the collection Voices As One vol. 1)
He Is Risen by Jacob and Matthew Band (WLP) (from the CD Every Day)
He Lives In Us by Amelia Acosta (WLP) (from the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
Holy Is the Lord by Tomlin/Giglio (EMI/CCLI)
*I Am the Bread of Life by John Michael Talbot (Birdwing/CCLI) (from the collection Voices As One vol. 1)
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today arr. Lewis/Dente (spiritandsong.com) – lots of alleluias!
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today – traditional – lots of alleluias!
Jesus, Messiah by Reeves/Carson/Cash/Tomlin (worshiptogether.com)
Jesus Reigns by John Angotti (WLP) (from the CD We Gather in Love and the collection More Voices As One vol. 2)
Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (sung to the tune of ‘Alleluia, Sing to Jesus’)
*Let All Creation Sing Alleluia! by Paul Tate (WLP) (from the CD Let All Creation Sing and the collection Voices As One vol. 1) – lots of alleluias!
*Lord Reign In Me by Brenton Brown (Vineyard) (found in the collection Voices As One vol. 2)
Mighty to Save by Fielding/Morgan (worshiptogether.com)
No Greater Love by Asaad/Tomlin/Maher (worshiptogether.com)
Oh, Our Lord by Leonard/Jordan/Baloche (Integrity/EMI)
Resurrection Day by Matt Maher (spiritandsong.com) (from the CD Overflow)
Risen from the Dead by John Angotti (WLP) (from the CD Joy Beyond Our Dreams)
*Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech (Wondrous Worship/CCLI) (found in the collection Voices As One vol. 2)
Sing a New Song by Skorich/Rose (WLP) (from the CD Pursue Me and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
Sweet Redeemer by Angrisano/Hart (spiritandsong.com) (from the CD Set Free)
*This Is the Day by Ed Bolduc (WLP) (from the CD Awake to the Day and the collection Voices As One vol. 2)
This Is the Day: Psalm 118 by John Angotti (WLP) (from the CD Joy Beyond Our Dreams and the collection More Voices As One vol. 1)
We Exalt Your Name by Jobe/Maher (EMI)
Ye Sons and Daughters arr. Josh Blakesley (spiritandsong.com)
*You are My King (Amazing Love) by Billy James Foote (worshiptogether.com) (found in the collection Voices As One vol. 2)
* indicates instrumental parts available for these titles in the Voices As One series. All titles from this series have C and B-flat instrument parts. Select titles have Saxophone and Brass parts.
Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 C Instrument Book
Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 Bb Instrument Book
Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 Saxophone and Brass Instrument Book
** available as an eBundle (contains various instrumentation depending on the specific title)