Opening Songs - Which songs work best in your church?

Replies to This Discussion

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

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Aldridge on January 19, 2012 at 8:32pm

Due to the style of our services most of the songs are all pre-planned outside of the ending for which I will choose a couple and choose from there.

My current favourite is Hosanna which sets the scene for a service nicely; it is still relatively new to us so has not been over used. We do have some which we overuse as they are old and well liked but if you are looking at modern songs all the time then maybe looking at the older stuff maybe the way to go to mix it up a bit.  Praise him you heavens (Great in Power) by Hillsongs springs to mind or Forever by Chris Tomlin. .

We also usually have a Hymn both to appease the older people in the congregation but also to proclaim biblical truth "Praise to the Lord the almighty, the King of Creation" springs to mind.

Sometimes you can start with a more contemplative song and then jump into a more upbeat song.

I think it was Matt Redman that said he found it easier to write slower songs and I think many could echo that, hence there seems to be fewer upbeat songs.

I felt this need a while back and wrote a specific song for that reason "We come to worship", although in fact not that upbeat but designed as an "opener". A more recent song I have written "Come and praise" was not really written for that purpose at all, but seems to work well as an "opener". Another one our congregation likes is "It's all about You", although I have not uploaded any Chord charts for that yet.

The others are in my profile freely downloadable; you may find them useful. 

Permalink Reply by Turner Vaughn on January 24, 2012 at 12:46am

I would have to say that Song of Hope (heaven come down) is a great opening song. Robbie Seay Band

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 24, 2012 at 4:48pm

Thanks Turner!  I had that song on my ipod but never thought of trying.  I just played it in G and I really like it.  I will share it with the other worship leaders and see what they think.

Permalink Reply by Greg Moore on January 24, 2012 at 5:03am

Ancient of Days

Friend of God (Houghton)

Holy, Holy, Holy (deShazo)

Forever

O Taste and See (Johnson)

Trading My Sorrows

For the Lord is Good

I Am Free/Dancing Generation

Shout to the North

-- but I find myself in the same situation as you.  High-intensity songs which have some sort of inviting aspect to them are our staple for openers; yet being fast, they are over sooner and repeated more, and the saints weary of them faster (while the slow-song list bulges at the seams).

So there's my contribution... keep 'em coming, folks!

Permalink Reply by Paul Hewgill on January 24, 2012 at 4:26pm

Thanks Greg - those are good ones.  I appreciate your agreement here.  Hopefully we can help eacj other find some new ones.

Last week I took the hymn Standing on the Promises and did with a straight ahead rock beat (no swinging feel).  I added a cool intro thingy and it worked pretty well.  Not sure that it will become regular, but I am sure it will repeat.

Permalink Reply by Heather Cox on January 25, 2012 at 3:56am

You Are Good-Bethel Music

Sing To The King

God Is Great- Travis Cotrell

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