Introduction
As a worship leader, I’m sure you know that it can be a challenge to keep things fresh when choosing the perfect songs for communion. You likely have some staple songs that you tend to use over and over again. But don’t you want to add variety and creativity to your communion services? If so, keep reading because we’ve curated 45 ideas to help you expand your repertoire of the best songs for communion.
Thoughtfully choosing songs for communion is crucial to creating an atmosphere where people can genuinely reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, remember His love, and unite as the body of Christ. But finding those perfect communion songs isn’t always easy is it? You want music that’s reverent without being somber, meaningful without being overly complex, and accessible while still being theologically rich.
This thoughtful list of communion songs will help you meaningfully approach this most sacred moment in your services. The songs below span from contemporary worship songs to modern day hymns, to reworked arrangements of familiar old hymns. We want to help you, the busy worship leader accommodate your church’s worship style, and bridge the gap between generations of worshippers in your congregation. I know you want to create impactful moments for your congregation. So with that in mind, let’s briefly consider what makes a great communion song before diving into the specific song recommendations.
A carefully chosen communion song serves as the soundtrack to one of the most sacred ordinances of our Christian faith.
What Songs Are Good for Communion?
Communion songs can be powerful tools for reflection, remembrance, and unity. Try to remember a time of communion that was particularly meaningful to you? Have you got it in your mind? Great! Chances are high that this time of communion was enhanced by a great song choice placed strategically either before, during, or as a response to communion. Think of it this way: A carefully chosen communion song serves as the soundtrack to one of the most sacred ordinances of our Christian faith. I’m sure you don’t want to choose that soundtrack flippantly. To enhance moments of communion with well placed song choices, we must remember that effective communion music serves three primary purposes:
- Facilitating Reflection: Songs with lyrics focused on Christ’s sacrifice create space for personal introspection. They invite worshippers to pause and consider the depth of God’s love demonstrated through Jesus.
- Promoting Remembrance: Singing together during communion reinforces the importance of remembering Jesus’ suffering and triumph over sin. It serves as a reminder of the New Covenant established through His blood. This collective remembrance nourishes spiritual growth and strengthens faith within our church communities.
- Fostering Unity: As believers join together in song, we experience a profound sense of belonging. Communion becomes not just an individual act but a shared experience that binds a congregation together. As Paul teaches, communion reminds us that “we who are many are one body” (see 1 Corinthians 10:17).
Looking for these 3 elements within communion songs will ensure that you are choosing songs for communion that will enrich the worship experience. Being thoughtful when it comes to selecting songs for this holy moment will allow your congregation to fully engage with this vital aspect of our faith. Remember, the songs we choose for communion aren’t just musical selections—they’re teaching moments that shape our congregation’s understanding of this sacred practice.
I know you get this, but by way of reminder, choosing great songs isn’t just important for communion. As worship leaders, it is essential that we choose strong songs week after week. Get our free guide to help you choose strong songs every week.
the songs we choose for communion aren’t just musical selections—they’re teaching moments that shape our congregation’s understanding of this sacred practice.
Alright, without further ado let’s take a look at some great song selections to help facilitate a memorable time of communion for others in your church.
Top 8 Contemporary Christian Songs for Communion
Yes I know that anyone’s “top” list of songs involves a lot of personal preference and subjectivity. However, if you’ve never used these songs during a communion moment, definitely check them out for the reasons explained below.
You might be thinking, “What if these are not my personal preference for my own top 8?” Well don’t worry, below this list of eight songs are a whole lot more choices to check out. I’m confident that you will find some new communion songs that will work well in your own context.
1. “Remembrance” by Hillsong Worship
“Remembrance” is a powerful song that captures the essence of communion, making it a prime choice for communion services. Its themes revolve around reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice and acknowledging the immense love He demonstrated through His death and resurrection. The lyrics invite the congregation into a space of reverence and gratitude, and encouraging both deep introspection as well as a communal response of surrender to Jesus.
Key Lyrics:
I take the bread of life
Broken for all my sin
Your body crucified
To make me whole again
I will recall the cup
Poured out in sacrifice
To trade this sinner’s end
For Your new covenant
The direct connection to the act of receiving communion is immediately obvious in this song. This is what makes it an essential addition to any worship leader’s list of songs for communion.
2. “Thank You Jesus For The Blood” by Charity Gayle
“Thank You Jesus For The Blood” beautifully captures the theme of gratitude and the faithfulness of Christ. This song resonates deeply during communion, offering plenty of opportunity for the congregation to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Key Lyrics:
Thank You Jesus for the blood applied
Thank You Jesus it has washed me white
Thank You Jesus You have saved my life
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
These lyrics remind us as worshippers of the transformative power found in Christ’s sacrifice. This song invites us into a moment where we as believers can collectively express our gratitude to Jesus, making it a fitting choice during communion services.
Quick pro-tip: When leading this song, consider incorporating moments of silence for personal reflection or allowing space for spontaneous worship. This is where having a Music Director becomes essential. A good MD can help organize such spontaneous moments effectively.
3. “Mystery” by Charlie Hall
“Mystery” by Charlie Hall is a unique song that should definitely be considered for communion services. The contemplative nature of the song fosters an atmosphere conducive to deep introspection and hope-filled worship. As the title of the song suggests, it invites us to ponder the wonder and mystery of communion.
A unique aspect of this song is that it focuses on a detail of communion that is often overlooked. Scripture says that as often as we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes (see 1 Corinthians 11:26).
When was the last time you heard communion being tied to the Second Coming of Christ? We can easily forget that communion includes a celebration of this promise from the Lord: He is coming again! This promise of the Lord is a sure reality and anchor for our hope in Christ. The lyrics in the bridge of this song highlight this amazing hope we have as believers in Jesus.
Key Lyrics:
Bread of heaven broken for me
Cup of Salvation held out to drink
Jesus
Mystery
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes proclaim His coming
Celebrate His death and rising
Lift your eyes lift your eyes
4. “Remember” by Steffany Gretzinger
“Remember” stands out among many contemporary Christian songs for communion due to its intimate and reflective lyrics. The song invites worshippers to engage deeply with the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, fostering a personal connection with the Gospel message. As we sing this song, we are reminded that the Gospel is truly transformative and never leaves us the same!
Key Lyrics:
You broke the bread and blessed the cup
You served a sacrifice of love
Holy holy holy
I wanna see the glory of all that You are
And all that You’ve done
Jesus the Lamb of God
Oh what a Savior
You took the altar and made it a table
Nothing can separate
What You bring together
Now and forever I will remember
5. “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Upperroom
This energetic anthem, “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)”, is a powerful addition to your list of songs for communion. It has a way of encouraging a celebratory tone when we come to the Lord’s table. The song emphasizes God’s protective presence and deliverance. As we think about communion, we have every reason to celebrate that Jesus delivers us from sin and death!
Key Lyrics:
There’s a table that You’ve prepared for me
In the presence of my enemies
It’s Your body and Your blood You shed for me
This is how I fight my battles
Does it seem like this song is too energetic and upbeat for communion? Don’t be afraid to include more upbeat songs during communion. While communion often calls for solemn reflection, it should also lead us to celebrate God’s triumph over sin and death!
Don’t be afraid to include more upbeat songs during communion. While communion often calls for solemn reflection, it should also lead us to celebrate God’s triumph over sin and death!
For more upbeat song ideas see “This Is Amazing Grace” and “Holy Water” in the list a little further on into this article.
6. “Carried to the Table” by Leeland
“Carried to the Table” offers a powerful narrative that illustrates the believers’ access to God’s grace. While the poetic lyrics hint at the story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, the reference to being carried to the table of the Lord makes it applicable to all followers of Jesus. This song can serve very well especially when it is played as communion is being handed out. It allows for quiet reflection on our identity as children of God. As we hear it sung, we can insert ourselves into the story, and be personally reminded of the unconditional love and acceptance we find at the Lord’s table!
Key Lyrics:
I’m carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokeness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord
Another pro-tip: To take communion moments to the next level, invite someone in the congregation to share a personal testimony of how they have been “carried to the table of the Lord” like Mephibosheth. If you would rather not have someone share a live testimony, have someone in your church who is good with video capture a story of transformation from your church. This can be a powerful way to highlight God’s kindness and grace during a moment of communion and also deepen connections between people in your church family.
7. “Forgiven” by Bethel Music
“Forgiven” is an older Bethel song, but it fits perfectly during communion services. The lyrics encourage the congregation to think about the life-changing impact of forgiveness. This song reminds us of the freedom that comes from Christ’s completed work on the cross. By the way, this song is also a great altar call song. Also see the song “Altar Call” by The Belonging Co in the additional list of ideas below.
Key Lyrics:
I am forgiven at the foot of the cross
I am accepted by the power of Your love
My every stain is washed away
I am forgiven
8. “Behold the Lamb (Communion Hymn)” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
This modern hymn serves as a profound reminder of salvation during communion services. Its rich theological depth enhances our understanding of the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice. This song is a particularly great choice for churches that have a big generational gap amongst worshippers who are used to older hymns.
Key Lyrics:
So we share in this Bread of Life
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King
Are you looking for more hymns that can bridge the generational gap in your church during communion? There are more hymns selections toward the end of this article. However, before we look at those, let’s explore a variety of additional contemporary selections together.
More Worship Songs for Communion Services
How often do you celebrate communion as a church? Do you receive communion every week? Once a month? Or perhaps it is more sporadic and only on special occasions? No matter how often you celebrate communion as a church body, it helps to be prepared. One great way to be prepared to handle the moment as a worship leader is by keeping a running list of songs that work well for communion. We trust that the 8 songs above will serve as a great starting point for you. However keep reading because below are more song selections that serve as excellent choices for communion services:
First Love – Kari Jobe
Take, Eat, Drink – Village Lights
Plead The Blood – Cody Carnes
Remembrance (Communion Song) – Matt Redman & Matt Maher
Communion – Brooke Ligertwood
Altar Call – The Belonging Co
Come Ye Sinners – Vertical Worship
The Table – Chris Tomlin
Daily Bread – Pat Barrett & Kari Jobe
Alabaster Heart – Bethel
Lead Me To The Cross – Hillsong UNITED
How We Remember – Pat Barrett
Room At The Table – Vineyard Worship
Nothing Is Holding Me Back – Bryan & Katie Torwalt
For The Cross – Bethel
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Austin Stone Worship
Lamb Of God – Vertical Worship
Mighty Cross – Elevation Worship
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me – CityAlight
Son Of Suffering – Bethel
Man Of Sorrows – Hillsong
Oh But God – The Worship Initiative
In Christ Alone – Shane and Shane
Once For All – Paul Baloche
You Promised – Corey Voss
The Blood Of Jesus Speaks For Me – Travis Cottrell
Gratitude – Brandon Lake
Note: While this is not explicitly a communion song, it can encourages a heart of thankfulness during communion.
O Praise the Name (Anástasis) – Hillsong
Holy Water – We The Kingdom
This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham
Thank You Jesus – Josh Baldwin
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong
Nothing But The Blood – Corey Voss
As promised, we will now turn our attention to looking at hymns for communion that have endured through the ages.
Top 3 Hymns for Communion
Sometimes the most powerful communion songs are those that have stood the test of time, reminding us that we participate in a tradition that spans generations of believers.
1. “Jesus Paid It All” Arrangement by Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill
The hymn “Jesus Paid It All” is an excellent choice for communion services. This classic hymn focuses on the redemption won by Jesus on the cross. Singing this together, we are reminded that Jesus canceled the record of debt that stood against us (see Colossians 2:14).
Key Lyrics:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
2. “Nothing But The Blood” Arrangement by Reawaken Hymns
Just the title alone reveals that “Nothing But The Blood” is a great hymn for communion moments. This hymn reminds us that though our sins were like scarlet, Jesus washes us white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18).
3. “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” by Chris Tomlin
Arguably, “Amazing Grace” is the G.O.A.T. of all hymns. While this hymn is applicable in many settings, it can create a deep sense of appreciation when used in a communion setting. Additionally, because it is so widely known, it fosters a deep sense of unity as your congregation lifts their voices in praise together.
4. (Bonus Hymn) “There Is A Fountain” Arrangement by Reawaken Hymns
While not as popular as the three hymns above, this can be a welcome addition to add variety to the hymns you choose for communion. This modern arrangement will also feel natural, especially if you typically include more contemporary selections in your service.
While the hymns above are commonly used for communion, hymnody offers a wealth of others—many written specifically for this sacred moment. Exploring old hymnals can be a thrilling journey, uncovering forgotten gems rich in meaning and worthy of adaptation for today. Who knows? You might even create modern hymn arrangements of your own! Click here to check out more modern hymn arrangements to utilize in your services.
5 Practical Tips For Leading Communion Songs
As you incorporate these songs into your communion services, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Create space for reflection: Don’t rush from one song to the next. Allow moments of silence for personal contemplation.
- Balance energy levels: Consider the flow of your service. A mix of contemplative and more celebratory songs can create a meaningful journey through communion.
- Encourage participation: Help your congregation engage actively rather than becoming passive observers. Simple harmonies or repeated choruses can facilitate this.
- Connect songs with Scripture: Brief readings from passages like 1 Corinthians 11 or the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper can enhance the meaning of your musical selections.
- Consider visual elements: Thoughtful communion table arrangements or projected imagery can reinforce the themes in your songs.
Remember that communion is not just about individual reflection but also about celebrating our unity as the body of Christ. Work with your pastor to balance both aspects as you lead your church through communion.
Conclusion
As worship leaders, thoughtfully choosing songs for communion is an opportunity to partner with the Holy Spirit. As you plan, remember that you play a role in setting the table for the gathered church to reflect on the significance and beauty of Jesus’ sacrifice. We get to help the church remember the New Covenant relationship that Jesus invites us into.
As worship leaders, thoughtfully choosing songs for communion is an opportunity to partner with the Holy Spirit.
So, as you prepare for communion services, make it your aim to create an atmosphere where worship becomes a shared encounter with God. Empower your congregation by leading them through inspired moments of praise and gratitude. Do this faithfully, and there is no doubt that you will see your congregation embrace the significance of this moment together.
Which of these songs resonates most with your congregation? How have you seen music enhance communion in your church? Share your experiences in the comments below—We’d love to hear what music is working well for times of communion in your church.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the purpose of choosing specific songs for communion services?
Choosing the right songs for communion services enhances the spiritual experience of congregants, facilitating reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and fostering a sense of unity among believers during this sacred ritual.
Why are communion songs significant in worship?
Communion songs play a vital role in worship by aiding reflection, remembrance, and promoting unity among congregants. They help facilitate a deeper understanding of Christ’s sacrifice during this important ritual.
Can you recommend contemporary Christian songs suitable for communion?
Yes! Some recommended contemporary Christian songs for communion include ‘Remembrance’ by Hillsong Worship, ‘Mystery’ by Charlie Hall, ‘Remember’ by Steffany Gretzinger, and ‘Surrounded (Fight My Battles)’ by Upperroom.
How can worship leaders effectively lead communion songs?
Worship leaders can effectively lead communion songs by creating space for spontaneous worship, incorporating silence, balancing energy levels between slower and faster-paced songs, and engaging the congregation through harmonies or visual elements.
What themes should communion songs focus on?
Communion songs should focus on themes such as reflection on Christ’s sacrifice, gratitude for His grace, redemption, and the celebration of salvation. They should evoke reverence and encourage deep introspection during the service.
Are there additional resources available for worship leaders preparing communion services?
Yes! Worship leaders can explore practical resources including curated lists of recommended songs like ‘He Is Faithful’ by Bryan and Katie Torwalt and ‘Thank You Jesus For The Blood’ by Charity Gayle to enrich their communion services.
