Opening Songs - Which songs work best in your church?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan Lawrenson on January 13, 2012 at 5:00pm

You can check out all of the songs we're using at Nags Head Church at the link below.

http://c.itunes.apple.com/us/imix/nags-head-church-playlist/id42427...

Nate

Permalink Reply by Flute Punch on January 13, 2012 at 6:05pm

My first thought is - does the opening song have to fit certain criteria? I suppose on thinking about it, most like to do something upbeat. But the last 2 Sundays, we were without bass, guitar, and drums, so we went reflective. It was fantastic. People were coming for prayer and saying how much they enjoyed the worship. Our team didn't do anything special - I think it was that people needed a change from our usual format of faster songs going to slower songs.

What if you tried changing it up? Slower songs working to faster... or fast to slower to faster (or vice versa)... or alternating, like on a CD... or open with a power ballad...

Other than that, for faster songs, we've been trying to a few more gospel tunes, like I Came to Magnify the Lord, You Are Good, and now learning Hosanna by Kirk Franklin. We also like All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises, All Things are Possible, My Redeemer Lives. I know there's others, but those are the ones coming to mind now. :)

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 13, 2012 at 6:46pm

Thanks Flute,  I like your ideas.

Permalink Reply by Toni on January 13, 2012 at 6:39pm

You need to know your congregation. Sometimes you can launch directly into worship, other times it's necessary to 'enter His courts with praise' before you can go any deeper. As a principle I like to have about 7-9 songs ready, of which we might sing 4-6, including a couple of alternative starts. I'd feel that a song used more than twice in a row was being over-used (mostly) unless you're trying to teach it. And there will be exceptions to this.

:-)

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 13, 2012 at 6:47pm

Thanks Toni.  What are song of your favourite openers?

Permalink Reply by David Straley on January 13, 2012 at 7:19pm

I'll have to "think a little more" so as to reply to your direct question :)

However, I would like to mention that which some others here mentioned - which is basically *strategy* for a worship set.

I spend considerable effort throughout the week in coming up with the best sequence of songs.  I do this with prayer, but I also experiment with it and readjust it as I go - sometimes kind of radically.  It's just *so important* to not only choose the right the songs but to put them in the right sequence.

With that said, I'll say that although I was weaned on a sequence that started off with a "bang" and then slowed down, what I've found to be especially effective is one which starts off at "mid-tempo" for the first song.  I shoot for about 114 BPM.

Then I hit the accelerator on the 2nd song.  I'll keep it up there for perhaps song # 2, 3 and 4.  Normally these are all 4/4 songs.  These typically vary from 120 BPM to 160 BPM, possibly going up and or down or back again as they progress.

Then I'll pull in a 6/8 song, in this case for #5.  This sets up the atmosphere for a complete change.  This is typically about 160 BPM or 170 BPM, but remember this is 6/8 time.

Then I'll slow it way down on #6 and if time allows for #7 and #8.  These may be 65 to 90 BPM.

These song numbers are all relative of course.  I need to make an estimate as to how many songs I think we'll do - and it is not always correct.  In my case I "design" the set for 6 songs, but make #7 to be really worshipful as well. 

Also, the tempos are all approximate.

 

I myself prefer the slower, more "worshipful" songs.  But I see, week after week, that the people *need* the faster, praise songs, so I emphasize them more. 

I know I didn't answer your question directly, because I think that with the right strategy, you'll find your own answers.

 

Bless you and take care,

David Straley

Worship of Heaven (song-sharing)

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 13, 2012 at 8:46pm

Thanks David.  I certainly spend time in prayer and planning the flow of songs/tempo/feel/theme, etc.

My church's more than usual format is 2 opening songs (usually upbeat but not necessarily), 3 songs in a package and one closing.

What are some of your favourite opening songs?  Thanks.

Permalink Reply by JORN on January 13, 2012 at 8:21pm

Paul,

I have to echo what is being said about switching things around and looking at flow.  I personally have no set formula.  Every week I approach as a new week which makes for a bit more work but it helps keep me fresh.  I start in prayer and then look at the text for the week if I know it.  Often I get a pretty clear picture of what direction I need to move in.  I will simply make a list of all the music that God places on my heart.  I usually put that aside for a few hrs or a day and come back and start the process again praying over the list.  The right music makes itself known. 

 

That being said if you are looking for a specific list of songs that lend themselves as good opening songs, here are some I’ve opened with recently:

 

Good Morning Friend – Chris Lizotte

Heart of Worship

Audience of One – Big Daddy Weave

Holy – Brenton Brown

We Are Hungry – Brad Kilman

We Cry Out – Brian Johnson

In Christ Alone – Steward Townsend

The Stand -  (check out Rockharbor Awakened Caleb Clements version)

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 13, 2012 at 8:46pm

Thanks Jorn.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Nelson on January 14, 2012 at 4:49pm

Friend of God

I Love To Praise Him

Come Now is The Time to Worship

This is the Day

David Danced

Days of Elijah

Majestic

Trading My Sorrows

 

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 19, 2012 at 4:25pm

Thanks!!

Permalink Reply by Stevo on January 19, 2012 at 3:45am

Openers are tough, we have exactly 17 of them although we're not adverse to using other songs. Generally, we try to use upbeat numbers to kick things off. Here are some of them (hopefully not overused):

Because of Your Love (Baloche)

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

Everlasting

Everlasting God

Forever

Holy is the Lord

Jesus Messiah

Our God Saves

Praise Adonai

You're Worthy of My Praise

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