When creating a worship set list, I usually start by choosing about 20 songs tied to a theme. (I choose a theme based either on the sermon topic and/or a reading from the Common Lectionary.) I then whittle it down to 6-7 songs using the outline below as a framework.

FLOW OF WORSHIP

 

COMMUNAL WORSHIP

Mood: celebrative. Posture: standing together.

 1—Hallelujah: our song of exhortation to the congregation: “All of you, praise Yahweh!” A call to worship that Introduces the theme and sets the tone for the worship gathering.

 “Hallelujah! Praise the name of Yahweh. Give praise, you servants of Yahweh who stand in the house of Yahweh, in the courts of the house of our God.” (Psalm 135:1-2)

 2—Thank: a song of thanksgiving for all He has done, is doing and promises to do.

 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for all humanity. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and announce His works with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 107:21-22)

 3—Praise: a song of exaltation lifting up the name of the Lord.

“Through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

 

PERSONAL WORSHIP

Mood: reflective. Posture: freedom of expression.

4—Confess: a song of repentance turning to God and away from whatever hinders us from Him; speaking the truth about God and who we are in Him.

“I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth. I am like a man who does not hear and has no arguments in his mouth. I put my hope in You, Lord; You will answer, Lord my God.” (Psalm 38:13-15)

5—Worship: a song of humble reverence, bowing our hearts before our Lord and King.

“Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care.” (Psalm 95:6-7)

6—Adore: a song of intimacy and desire, delighting in the Lord.

“Like an apricot tree among the trees of the forest, so is my love among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He brought me to the house of wine, and he looked on me with love. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apricots, for I am lovesick.” (Song of Solomon 2:3-5)

PRACTICAL WORSHIP

Mood: responsive. Posture: extend grace to one another (handshake, hug, fellowship, etc).

7—Serve: a song of response, committing ourselves to living for God completely—body and soul—every day, because He continually gives Himself to us.

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)