“I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.”
What a beautiful sentiment about what we do as church musicians.
There’s something different about sharing music in a worship context—it becomes something greater than ourselves, more than we could make it on our own. In a way, we become the instruments, ready to be used by God, for His glory: “Take my voice and let me sing—always, only for my King."
I’ve written a few posts like this one, with music and worship-planning resources on a specific theme or topic. Here are the links, in case you missed them:
Today’s theme is Music. I’m writing this post for myself, really, because we’re in the midst of planning a Music Sunday at our church for later this Spring—a day to celebrate God’s gift of music and bring together as many of the church’s musicians as we can to offer our praise and thanksgiving.
Looking to do something similar at your church? Here are a few resources and music suggestions to help get you started.
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Music
Hymns
When in Our Music God is Glorified
For the Music of Creation
From All That Dwell Below the Skies
All Creatures of Our God and King
Come, Christians, Join to Sing
Holy, Holy, Holy
Wonderful Words of Life
Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
Maker, in Whom We Live
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Rejoice, You Pure in Heart
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Now Thank We All Our God
This Is My Father’s World
For the Beauty of the Earth
Blessed Assurance
When Morning Gilds the Skies
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Lift Every Voice and Sing
O Worship the King
Take My Life and Let It Be
Songs
I Will Sing (Don Moen)
Here I Am to Worship (Tim Hughes)
Come, Now Is the Time to Worship (Phillips, Craig, and Dean)
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Matt Redman)
How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin)
O Praise Him (David Crowder)
Everything That Has Breath (Reuben Morgan)
Be Praised (Michael Gungor)
Unbroken Praise (Matt Redman)
Come Let Us Worship (Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves)
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Martin Smith)
Shout to the Lord (Darlene Zschech)
Anthems
I Will Sing with the Spirit (Rutter)
I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing (arr. Helvey)
How Can I Keep From Singing? (arr. Courtney)
The Mighty Power of God (arr. Hayes)
With a Voice of Singing (Shaw)
We Are Made for Praise (Martin)
For All His Blessings (Danyew)
You Are the Song (Courtney)
O Come and Lift Your Voices (arr. Hayes)
Tune My Heart to Sing God's Praise (Larson)
You Are the Song (Martin)
This Is My Father’s World (arr. Hagenberg)
Sing a New Song! (arr. Larson)
When In Our Music God is Glorified (arr. MacDonald)
Introits
Cantate Domino (Snyder)
Jubilate Deo (Praetorius)
Come, Christians, Join to Sing or other hymn verse
Worship Resources
Readings
A collection of Scripture verses about music
Litany: Sing a New Song! (based on verses from Psalms 30, 89, 92, 95, 96, and 100)
Calls to Worship
An ancient Call to Worship based on Psalm 150, written between the 3rd and 6th century
An intergenerational Call to Worship based on Psalm 100, written by Carolyn Brown
A contemporary Call to Worship based on Psalm 150, inspired by The Voice translation
A short, responsive Call to Worship based on Psalm 150
Poetic Reflections
Sing the Lord’s Song - based on Psalm 137:4
Rekindle the Gift - based on 2 Timothy 1:6
Many Members - based on 1 Corinthians 12:14, 21
Keep Singing
Other Ideas for Worship
Plan a brass fanfare or handbell processional at the beginning of the service
Incorporate musical underscoring - during the Call to Worship, litanies, or underneath prayers or readings
Plan a combined anthem for all your choirs to sing together
Include a Psalter reading: Psalm 100 or Psalm 150 (with sung response)
Use hymn descants, by sopranos (or tenors!), handbells, or a solo instrument
Put together a small instrumental ensemble. Here are a few music resources for flexible instrumentation.
See more ideas in this article: Ideas for Music Ministry Sunday
“The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
I’d love to hear your ideas:
Have you ever done a Music Sunday at your church?
