Worship leader I know what you’re thinking… Easter is weeks away and you are looking for the perfect Easter worship songs that will keep things fresh this Easter. Before we get to song hunting let me encourage you to take a step back just for a moment. Remember why we embrace the search for the perfect blend of songs for our Easter setlist. We do this because Easter Sunday represents the pinnacle of our faith—the resurrection of Jesus that gives meaning to everything we do as believers. As worship leaders, we have the sacred responsibility of selecting songs that will help our congregations fully experience the hope, joy, and transformative power of Christ’s victory over death.
I’m sure you’re with me on this that song selection matters deeply during this holy season. The right combination of songs can create a powerful worship experience that allows your church to both celebrate and reflect on the resurrection story. If you want to learn more about strong songs, grab our free guide right here. As you plan and prepare remember that songs are simply tools for helping your congregation encounter the risen Christ. With that in mind, below is a carefully curated list of Easter worship songs to consider for your Easter services for this year. Stick with us to the end as we will also discuss practical implementation strategies leading up to Easter.
Remember that songs are simply tools for helping your congregation encounter the risen Christ.
Contemporary Selections That Always Inspire
Now before we go on the search for an entirely new list of songs, consider songs that are already in your song library. While Easter can be a great time to introduce new songs to your congregation, don’t neglect songs with Easter themes that you’ve already been singing. Here’s why that is important.
Choosing songs that have been staples for a while will encourage engagement, and one of the best gifts you can give to visitors on Easter is for them to hear the church lift up their voices loudly in heartfelt, joyful praise. If you introduce too many new songs on Easter Sunday, this will hurt engagement. So, before you jump to the fresh song selections below, consider if some of these modern staples of the last several years are already in your library:
King Of Kings – Hillsong
All Hail King Jesus – Bethel
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) – Casting Crowns
Glorious Day – Passion
Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – Kari Jobe
Man Of Sorrows – Hillsong
Hymn Of Heaven – Phil Wickham
Living Hope – Phil Wickham
What A Beautiful Name – Hillsong
Death Was Arrested – North Point
Resurrecting – Elevation Worship
Hallelujah For The Cross – Chris McClarney
O Praise The Name (Anástasis) – Hillsong
This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham
Graves Into Gardens – Brandon Lake & Elevation Worship
A Thousand Hallelujahs – Brooke Ligertwood
Fresh Expressions To Lift Your Easter Services
Today’s worship songwriters continue creating powerful Easter-themed music. This is an amazing gift to the church at large, but it can be overwhelming to sift through all the new songs that have surfaced since last Easter. To make your job easier, we’ve curated a list of new Easter-themed worship songs that can breathe life into your Easter services. Consider adding 1 or 2 of these selections below to feature as new songs to introduce to your congregation this Easter season. It is important to consider new songs that might give fresh expression to the timeless truth of the resurrection. Newer songs can bring fresh energy to your Easter celebration to ensure that you don’t just repeat what you have done in previous years.
Sunday Is Coming – Phil Wickham
I Believe – Phil Wickham
I’ve Witnessed It – Passion
Name Above All Names – Charity Gayle
No Body – Elevation Worship
Where The Power Is – Kristian Stanfill
The Lamb’s Book Of Life – Passion
This Is Our God – Phil Wickham
He Who Is To come – Kristian Stanfill & Passion
The King Is In the Room – Phil Wickham
Hope Of The Ages – Cody Carnes
Praise The Lord – Phil Wickham
He Lives – Church Of The City
Resurrection Hope – Aaron Williams
That’s My King – CeCe Winans
I Know A Name – Brandon Lake & Elevation Worship
Goodbye Yesterday – Elevation Rhythm
Made For More – Josh Baldwin
Thank You Jesus For The Blood – Charity Gayle
You’ve Already Won – Shane & Shane
Because Of Jesus – Charity Gayle
Come Alive (Resurrection Power) – Hope Darst & The Belonging Co
Lamb Of God – David Leonard & Church Of The City
There Is Power – Rock City Worship
The King Is Coming – Red Rocks Worship
Come Out Of That Grave (Resurrection Power) – Bethel
Don’t Forget That Traditional Hymns Still Resonate
Don’t forget that people cherish the classics. Why have many hymns stood the test of time? Because they communicate profound theological truths in accessible ways. For example “The Old Rugged Cross” continues to move hearts with its focus on Christ’s sacrifice, while “Because He Lives” offers a perfect declaration of resurrection hope that congregations naturally embrace. These traditional selections create meaningful connections across generations and honor our rich worship heritage. The strongest Easter worship sets blend timeless truths with fresh expressions, creating space for both celebration and contemplation. Consider adding at least one modern arrangement of a timeless hymn into your Easter set list this year. Here are some great hymns to consider.
The strongest Easter worship sets blend timeless truths with fresh expressions, creating space for both celebration and contemplation.
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today – Worship Initiative
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (He is Not Dead) – NCC Worship
The Old Rugged Cross
Jesus Paid It All – Kristian Stanfill & Passion
Because He Lives
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin
Crown Him With Many Crowns – Reawaken Hymns
Nothing But The Blood – Reawaken Hymns
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) – Austin Stone Worship
You might be thinking my church context is not into old hymns, but stay with me. If your context tends to shy away from older hymns, you could consider a few modern hymns to bridge the gap between older and newer generations. Don’t look past these modern hymn selections with strong Easter themes:
Christus Victor (Amen) – Keith & Kristyn Getty & Cochren & Co.
In Christ Alone
His Mercy Is More – Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
All Sufficient Merit – The Worship Initiative
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
Is He Worthy? – Chris Tomlin
Ultimately, whatever blend of old vs new you decide is the right fit for your particular context, it is important to think strategically and prayerfully through not only your Easter sets, but how you will lead up to them.
Implementation Strategies for Success
Alright, hopefully this post has helped you narrow down your song selections and pick your Easter setlist, but now what? Remember to prepare your congregation. Start introducing any new Easter songs 4-6 weeks before your Easter services. This gives your congregation time to become familiar with them, ensuring more confident participation when Easter Sunday arrives. Remember that your goal isn’t just beautiful music—it’s creating space for your people to encounter the risen Christ.
Every congregation has its own musical vocabulary and comfort zone. Be intentional about selecting songs that meet your people where they are while gently stretching them. It is important that your sets balance familiar favorites with fresh expressions. The strongest Easter worship sets create space for both solemn reflection and exuberant celebration, mirroring the emotional journey from cross to empty tomb.
The strongest Easter worship sets create space for both solemn reflection and exuberant celebration, mirroring the emotional journey from cross to empty tomb.
Last Word Of Encouragement In Your Easter Planning
It is critical that as you select and prepare your Easter worship sets you keep your ultimate purpose at the forefront: helping your congregation encounter the risen Christ. These songs aren’t merely performance pieces—they’re vehicles of truth that can open hearts to the transformative reality of resurrection.
Choose wisely, prepare thoroughly, and lead confidently, knowing that the songs you select can become powerful tools in the hands of the Holy Spirit to draw your congregation into deeper worship of our risen Savior.
Lead Well Beyond Easter Sunday: Join The Worship Ministry Training Academy
Remember, leading worship is not just about the songs we choose or how well we perform them. It’s about shepherding God’s people, creating an environment where they can encounter His presence, and equipping our teams to serve with excellence and unity. As we approach Easter, let us embrace this responsibility with humility and dedication, allowing the power of Christ’s resurrection to infuse every aspect of our worship.
In the midst of the busyness and demands of ministry, it’s easy for worship leaders to feel overwhelmed and under-equipped. That’s why Worship Ministry Training (WMT) exists—to support and empower leaders like you.
Our program offers a comprehensive range of resources, from online courses to personalized coaching, designed to equip you with the pastoral and leadership skills necessary for a healthy, thriving worship ministry. Through in-depth courses spanning various aspects of ministry, such as set building, team building, administration, and vocal technique, you’ll gain a solid foundation in all areas of worship leadership.
But it doesn’t stop there. WMT also provides practical tools for streamlining your ministry, including templates for organization and communication. Weekly team devotions and musician training resources ensure that your team grows spiritually and musically.
What sets us apart is our commitment to connecting you with industry experts through live interviews and workshops. These exclusive insights from renowned artists like Phil Wickham and Matt Redman will inspire and challenge you in your journey as a worship leader.
But perhaps the most valuable aspect of our program is the personalized coaching we offer. Through weekly service debrief calls, monthly Q&As, and live masterclasses, our experienced coaches will walk alongside you, addressing your specific challenges and helping you grow in confidence and clarity as a leader.
Furthermore, WMT isn’t just about individual growth—it’s also about fostering a supportive community. Our active forums and weekly group calls provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and encouragement among worship leaders from diverse churches worldwide.
Don’t just take our word for it. The testimonials from worship leaders who have experienced transformation after joining our program speak volumes about the impact WMT can have on your ministry.
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Together, let’s grow in our ability to lead God’s people into His presence, with confidence, clarity, and an unwavering focus on the transformative power of resurrection.
We are praying for you as you craft meaningful Easter worship sets. Let’s help each other out in the comments below. What Easter songs have been most meaningful in your congregation? Share your experiences in the comments below to help fellow worship leaders in their planning!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are some fresh Easter worship songs for this year?
For Easter this year, consider introducing contemporary worship songs such as ‘The King Is In The Room’ by Phil Wickham, ‘Resurrection Hope’ by Aaron Williams, and ‘I Know A Name’ by Brandon Lake & Elevation Worship. These new Easter selections will inspire congregations.
Are traditional hymns still relevant for Easter services?
Absolutely! Traditional hymns like ‘Christ The Lord Is Risen Today,’ ‘The Old Rugged Cross,’ and ‘Jesus Paid It All’ continue to resonate with many congregants. Blending classic hymns with contemporary songs can enrich your Easter service.
How can I effectively introduce new worship songs for Easter?
Start introducing new worship songs gradually in the weeks leading up to Easter. This allows your congregation to become familiar with the music, making it easier to engage during the service. Consider incorporating them into smaller gatherings or rehearsals first.
Which contemporary worship artists should I consider for Easter?
‘Phil Wickham’, ‘Hillsong’, and ‘Elevation Worship’ are just a few of the contemporary artists whose songs can elevate your Easter celebration. Tracks like ‘Living Hope’ and ‘Resurrecting’ are particularly powerful for this season.
What themes should I focus on when selecting Easter worship songs?
Focus on themes of resurrection, hope, and victory over death. Songs that celebrate the life-giving power of Christ’s resurrection will resonate deeply during this pivotal time in the Christian calendar.
Can you recommend any specific songs that emphasize resurrection power?
‘Come Alive (Resurrection Power)’ by Hope Darst & The Belonging Co., and ‘Death Was Arrested’ by North Point are excellent choices that highlight the theme of resurrection power and will inspire your congregation this Easter.
