9 Worship Songs For Easter Services (Celebrating The Resurrection)

Easter Sunday is the Super Bowl of the church calendar. It’s the day we celebrate the cornerstone of our faith: the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive.
The energy in the room should reflect that victory.

Leading worship on Easter isn’t just about high energy; it’s about telling the full story. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). Your setlist needs to take people from the reality of the grave to the explosion of life that happened on Sunday morning.

Why These Songs Work For Easter

We have selected these songs because:

  • They are anthemic. Easter demands big choruses that everyone can sing at the top of their lungs.
  • They focus on the Resurrection. These aren’t just general praise songs; they explicitly mention the empty tomb, the rolled-away stone, and the defeated grave.
  • They bridge generations. The list includes modern anthems and revitalized hymns that unite the whole room.

9 Songs To Celebrate The Resurrection

  1. Living Hope – This has quickly become a modern Easter standard. It walks through the entire gospel story, culminating in the powerful declaration: “Then the morning that You rose, all of heaven held its breath.”
  2. Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – A dramatic and powerful song that paints the picture of the war in heaven and the triumph of Christ. The “Hallelujah” chorus is massive and perfect for opening an Easter service.
  3. Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (Easter Hymn) – You can’t go wrong with the classics. This hymn connects us to centuries of believers who have sung these same words. It’s a great way to start the service with tradition and joy.
  4. Glorious Day – “You called my name and I ran out of that grave!” This high-energy song captures the personal application of the resurrection—because He rose, we are raised to new life too.
  5. King Of Kings – A theological masterpiece that traces the history of redemption. The verse about the resurrection (“And the morning that You rose, all of heaven held its breath”) is a spine-tingling moment for the congregation.
  6. Graves Into Gardens – Easter is all about God turning death into life. This song is a rowdy, joyful celebration of God’s power to transform nothing into something.
  7. Christ Is Risen – “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.” This song has a driving rhythm and a victorious melody that helps the church declare the defeat of hell.
  8. Resurrecting – “The resurrected King is resurrecting me.” This song connects the theology of Easter with the present-day reality of our spiritual growth. Great for a mid-tempo moment in the set.
  9. Death Was Arrested – This song frames the resurrection as a moment of liberation. It’s incredibly singable and works well for helping people understand that Easter means their freedom has been secured.

Example Easter Setlists

Setlist 1 (High Energy Celebration)

  1. Glorious Day – Starts the service with high energy and a focus on leaving the “grave” of sin.
  2. Forever (We Sing Hallelujah) – Moves into a grand, anthemic declaration of the resurrection victory.
  3. Living Hope – Anchors the set with strong gospel storytelling and a soaring chorus.

Setlist 2 (Theological & Triumphant)

  1. Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (Easter Hymn) – Bridges the gap between traditional and modern worship.
  2. King Of Kings – Tells the full story of the gospel, leading perfectly to the resurrection verse.
  3. Christ Is Risen – A driving, modern anthem to end the set on a high note.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Start big. Easter is not the time for a slow build. Open with your most energetic, triumphant song to match the “He is Risen!” greeting.
  • Teach the hook. If you introduce a new song on Easter, make sure the chorus is simple enough to catch onto immediately. You want participation, not observation.
  • Plan the key change. Many of these songs build to a massive bridge or final chorus. Ensure your band is rehearsed on the dynamics so the music matches the lyrical intensity.

Next Steps

Don’t wait until Holy Week to plan. Choose your Easter opener today, send the charts to your team, and start building anticipation for the biggest Sunday of the year.