7 Worship Songs To End The Year (Reflection And Gratitude)
The last Sunday of the year is a unique threshold. It is a moment to look back at the last 365 days—the victories, the losses, the prayers answered, and the prayers still waiting—and filter them all through the faithfulness of God. As Psalm 65:11 says, “You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.”
Worship songs for the end of the year serve as a spiritual “Ebenezer,” a stone of help raised to say, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” These anthems allow the church to close the chapter with gratitude and turn the page with hope.
Why These Songs Fit The Season
We selected these songs because:
- They are retrospective. They use language like “I remember” and “You have been,” helping people process their year.
- They are grounding. The end of a year can bring anxiety about time passing; these songs anchor us in the Eternal.
- They are hopeful. They don’t just look back; they pivot to the future with confidence in God’s plan.
7 Songs To Finish Strong
- Goodness Of God – “All my life You have been faithful.” This is the perfect song to summarize a year. It invites every person to scan the last twelve months and identify the specific moments where God’s mercy held them close.
- Great Things – “You’ve done great things.” If you want to end the year on a high note, this is the opener. It focuses on the power of God to save and redeem, celebrating the “wins” of the year with high-energy praise.
- This Is Our God – “I remember how You pulled me through.” This song is a corporate testimony. It reminds the church of the obstacles they faced together this year and how God cleared the path for them.
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness – As the calendar changes, we need to know what doesn’t change. This hymn assures us that while years come and go, God’s faithfulness remains “new every morning.” It is a comforting anchor for New Year’s Eve services.
- Been So Good – “I call You faithful… I call You friend.” This song acknowledges the valleys and the shadows of the year but concludes that, through it all, God has been consistently good to us.
- Firm Foundation (He Won’t) – Looking ahead to a new year often brings uncertainty. This song declares that because our house is built on Jesus, we are ready for whatever the new year brings—rain, wind, or chaos.
- Good Plans – “I know Who holds my future.” This is the ultimate song for transitioning into January. It declares that we don’t need to know the details of the coming year to trust that God’s plans for us are good.
Example End-Of-Year Setlists
Setlist 1 (Reviewing The Year)
- This Is Our God – Recalls God’s acts of rescue.
- Been So Good – Reflects on His presence in the highs and lows.
- Goodness Of God – Ends with gratitude for His faithfulness.
Setlist 2 (Ready For The New)
- Great Things – Celebrates what God has done.
- Good Plans – Looks forward with hope.
- Firm Foundation (He Won’t) – Commits to building on the Rock.
How To Use These Songs In Your Church
- Silence for reflection. Before singing Been So Good, ask the congregation to close their eyes and think of one specific thing God did for them this year. Let the memory fuel the song.
- Pray for the future. Use the bridge of Good Plans to pray over the upcoming year. Ask God to bless the plans of the church and the families represented.
- Acknowledge loss. The end of the year is hard for those who have empty chairs at the table. Introduce Great Is Thy Faithfulness as a promise that God will sustain them in the new year just as He did in the old.
Next Steps
Finish the year well. This Sunday, use This Is Our God to unite your church around their shared story, reminding them that the same God who carried them through this year is already waiting in the next.
By Clara Gibson, WorshipChords Editorial Staff
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