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A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Lyric video
Live video
A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Traditional recording (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
Modern recording (Reawaken Hymns)
Choral arrangement (John Rutter)
Choral arrangement (NAC South Africa)
A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Lyric video recording
Live recording
A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Traditional recording (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
Modern recording (Reawaken Hymns)
Getty Kids recording
A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Traditional recording (Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
Modern recording (Reawaken Hymns)
Integration of Music
The following is stated on page 20 of the new liturgy: “Following these words of preparation for the forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion, the congregation sings the hymn of preparation.”
If one were to stop reading here, it could be assumed that only the congregation should sing the hymn of repentance. Of course, having the congregation sing for this moment can be powerful, as it gives all believers an opportunity to express their repentance and confess their sins collectively, before both God and one another.
However, if we read on, we find the following: “The congregation remains seated during the hymn of repentance. The choir stands if it is asked to sing.”
The mentioning of choir helps to clarify that the congregation isn’t the only option, while also implying that the musical approach in these moments can be varied. Not only can the congregation sing together to express collective repentance, the choir can also sing on behalf of the congregation. In addition, it can also be impactful when a soloist is included here to reflect the sanctity and humility of the moment.
Moment of Silence
The following is also stated on page 20 of the new liturgy: “In place of the hymn of repentance, the officiant may invite the congregation to observe a moment of silence (with a maximum duration of one minute). A moment of silence is a time of reflection and can help us experience God’s nearness through repentance and remorse. The congregation remains seated for this.”
Note that if this option is utilized, it should only be utilized sparingly. The more frequently this approach is taken, the less impactful these moments of silence will inevitably be.
When this approach is taken, it’s important to consider not only how we enter the moment of silence, but also we how exit it. To preface these moments, the officiant could simply state the following: “Together, we will now observe a moment of silence—a time for us to reflect and experience God’s nearness through repentance and remorse” (note that this wording is pulled from the liturgy). Of course this is just an example, and can be adjusted.
To come out of the moment of silence, the officiant can say something to the following effect: “We want to transition now from this time of reflection to the communal praying of the Lord’s Prayer. Let us rise and join in this prayer which the Lord Jesus taught us.” Or, where desired, the piano or organ could play something lightly following the moment of silence—either a short song of repentance to reflect the present moment, or a portion of the song to be rendered during Holy Communion to foreshadow fellowship with Christ. Then, directly following the music, the officiant would invite the congregation to stand and join in the Lord’s Prayer.
No matter which option is utilized, advance communication will be necessary so that any distractions are minimized in these moving moments.
If there are any questions over anything above, or if further clarification is needed, please email music_worship@nac-usa.org.
A hymn for your congregation to learn and sing in worship, and for your family to learn and sing in the home.
Traditional recording (with lyrics)
Modern recording (Christy Nockels)
Choral recording (NAC South Africa)
Now available in the NAC USA mobile app under "Worship & Music," this 10-session video series highlights the significant connection between liturgy and music. Each video provides expectations and guiding thoughts for the various moments of the divine service experience, from worship to the final hymn, emphasizing the importance of selecting music that supports and enhances each liturgical moment. Please help ensure that our worship and music teams are aware of these new resources.
We're excited to announce our first Worship & Music Learning Circle! The purpose of this online gathering will be to provide a platform for learning, collaboration, and connection in the area of worship and music, and to help edify and equip anyone called to serve in this capacity in their congregations.
The focus of this first Learning Circle will be on the connection between liturgy and music, and the impact of this connection on song selection. Participants will walk through the divine service experience, taking an in-depth look at each liturgical moment, and how music can help enhance each moment. Thoughts and ideas related to song selection will be provided, based on NAC USA guidelines.
To register, click here.
Space is limited, so if you're interested, we recommend registering soon. Hope you can join us!
Contact music_worship@nac-usa.org with any questions.
Dear worship and music teams: a reminder that, per our Liturgy and Music document (see here, under “Additional Thoughts”), all music used within the divine service experience is to be sacred in nature, given the holiness of the gathering. Secular music, or music intended for a non-religious audience, does not have a place in the divine service experience.
Connected, note that even though patriotic music is included within the “God and Country” section of the Celebration Hymnal, this music should be reserved for concerts or more casual gatherings (outdoor fellowships, for instance). It is not appropriate to include this music within the divine service experience.
Thank you for your adherence to this protocol. If you have any questions, please email music_worship@nac-usa.org.
In worship, we become more aware of who God is, and, in response, bow reverently before Him. The following songs can be used in the moments of worship within the divine service experience any Sunday—no matter the Bible verse or sermon theme—as they bring to focus who God is, and/or express our response to the truths of God.
Note that some of the songs come from our books, and some are suggested sheet music/octavos. Also note that this by no means a comprehensive list, but rather a quick reference resource when selecting songs of worship for worship.
All songs from the Adoration/Worship and Worship the Lord sections of the Hymnal and Celebration Hymnal are appropriate for worship, but the hymns below especially magnify God’s nature—or our response to His nature (i.e. “I Surrender All”)—and many work well directly following a call to worship (for a listing of calls to worship, see here):
As a final expression of communal worship, the thanksgiving hymn is ideal for congregational singing, or for the combining of choir and congregation (only here and there should this hymn be sung by the choir only). If the choir does sing this hymn, please note that they should never come to the front and face the congregation, as this gives the feel of a performance rather than worship.
This hymn is an expression of the congregation’s acceptance of God’s word, and provides an opportunity for collective praise and thanksgiving. It should be praise and thanksgiving-filled, energetic, and upbeat, thus creating an impactful send-off for the congregation. Just like with the opening hymn, these characteristics should outweigh the song’s connection to the sermon theme (although it can be very powerful when the song has these characteristics and is connected with the theme!).
Occasionally, it may be appropriate to repeat a song that was sung before the service or to sing the final verse of a hymn (worship hymn, acceptance hymn, etc. where maybe only one verse was sung previously). This reinforces the message of the hymn and can also help alleviate the strain of choosing (and singing) a large amount of music for each divine service experience.
When celebrating Holy Communion for the departed, the liturgy calls for a hymn of preparation. This song should be fairly short, no more than 90 seconds in length. It should also be centered on communion with Christ—not on eternity. In this way, it should resemble the repentance hymn that the visible congregation sang just moments before. Choir or vocal solos/ensembles are preferred for these moments.
The reflection hymn following communion for the departed should start immediately after the act, once the minister says, “Amen.” It should be around a minute or so, and no more than 90 seconds. Instrumental solos are ideal for this moment, provided the words are familiar to the congregation (if not, they should be included on screens or in song sheets). Vocal solos can also work well here.
Much like the song rendered in preparation for Holy Communion for the departed, the reflection hymn should not have an eternity feel or focus. Rather, it should be a reflection on and expression of our thankfulness for the sacrifice of Christ, and for the saving grace of God. As such, these songs can be more upbeat and celebratory in nature.
Songs focused on eternity should be reserved for our services for the departed.
In these holy, awe-filled moments, the congregation has intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. The communion hymn(s) should reflect the significance of this fellowship, and serve to maintain a holy and peaceful atmosphere. Songs should be invitational (we are invited to the table of Christ), contemplative, present-focused, and centered on Christ. These songs are not about us—they’re all about Him.
A reminder that Bible readings should take place on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. These readings are provided within the April Divine Service Guide, and are also attached for quick reference and sharing purposes. Please note that they are not optional, and should take place following the response hymn after the reading of the Bible verse for the sermon, per the liturgy. A short musical selection can be included following the Bible reading, but this is optional. These readings do not need to be done by ministers; anyone with the gift of communication and the time for preparation can do them.
For more information, see pages 17 and 18 of the liturgy.
Thoughts from District Apostle Kolb...
The season of Lent has not been actively observed in our USA church in the past. I recall that many years ago, the District Apostle Kraus was surprised that someone had requested a wedding during Lent. At that time, the bigger shock was from the ministers who were unaccustomed to the fact that, in the general Christian community, weddings were not conducted during this special season, and even that the District Apostle considered this.
Over the past years, the Chief Apostle has turned our focus to this season prior to Holy Week and the Passion of Christ. It is worthwhile that we familiarize ourselves with the understanding of this observance as well as its importance. Please allow me to outline a few guiding thoughts using the verses of a well-known hymn (#99 in our hymnal):
In light of the sacrifice of Christ and the deep love of God, the repentance hymn should lead the congregation into prayerful and humble awareness of, and reflection on, their sins. This song should be meditative, introspective, and Christ-focused, serving to create a peaceful atmosphere leading into Holy Communion. Robust, upbeat songs are not appropriate for these reverent moments.
Acceptance hymns comprise the hymns between assisting ministers, or, if there are no assisting ministers, directly following the sermon, before preparation for Holy Communion. These hymns should reflect the congregation’s acceptance of God’s word, provision, and presence. For this reason, this is an ideal time for congregational singing because it gives each congregant the opportunity to express their acceptance.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8-11)
It is one of the most famous carols; a herald proclaiming the coming of Christmas. But how old is this carol, and where does it come from? The First Noel’s origins are humble, not unlike the story it tells.
The song that follows the Bible verse should be one that is responsive in nature. Here, the congregation is responding to the presence of God in the divine service. The response hymn can also be considered a response to the Bible verse/sermon theme, so this is an ideal moment to select a song that is connected with either one or both of these.
This song serves as a launching point for the divine service experience and should subsequently be upbeat, powerful, praise-filled, and full of energy. Some examples of always-appropriate opening hymns include: Praise Thou the Lord; A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; Holy, Holy, Holy; To God Be the Glory, and Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Similar to the worship songs, the opening hymn does not need to be connected to the Bible verse or sermon theme (although it certainly can be powerful when the opening hymn includes the characteristics above and it’s connected with the theme/verse). Consider that at this point in the divine service, the sermon message has not yet been delivered, and so it does not necessarily need to be communicated through the opening hymn. The focus here is on greeting God and giving Him praise!
The music that is rendered in worship (before the sermon) should focus our attention on the Triune God. The overriding goal in these moments should be to draw people closer to God by bringing His characteristics to the forefront. For this reason, the song lyrics in worship should be invitational, praise-filled, and worshipful. Some examples of appropriate songs include: All Creatures of Our God and King; Great Is Thy Faithfulness; What a Beautiful Name It Is; Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise; Goodness of God; Worthy of Worship; Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord), and Come, Christians, Join to Sing.
Depending on the flow of music chosen for worship, you may also consider including some contemplative hymns. There should always be an intentional flow to the music before the service, and opportunities for the congregation to participate (at least one, if not a couple).
With regard to the final hymn in a divine service, please note that, per the liturgy, this hymn is not optional, but actually “compulsory.”
The following hymns were provided to us by NAC Argentina. With their permission, all hymns can be downloaded as supplementary music for the purposes of choir and congregational singing in our Spanish-speaking NAC USA congregations.
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