"We Crown You"

Growing up in a very traditional Southern Baptist church, we sang hymns each Sunday. The order of service was very predictable - the choir came in and sang a short chorus to begin worship. There was always a prayer by the "Deacon of the Week", announcements, children's sermon, a few hymns followed by some type of "Special Music", the Sermon, Invitation and Benediction. There was familiarity in this routine. As much as the order was familiar, so were the hymns.

I knew most of the hymns by heart as a young child and still do. I also knew we would usually sing "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "God Bless America" at holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and near the 4th of July. Thanksgiving usually meant "Showers of Blessing", "Faith of our Fathers" and "We Gather Together". At Christmas, we always sang the traditional Christmas carols and one of my favorites was always "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". As a small child we sang that in a musical at our church called, "An Old Fashioned Christmas".

The same held true for Easter.

"Christ the Lord is Risen Today", "Up From the Grave He Arose" and "Because He Lives" were a few that I remember singing from year to year at Easter. I have sung in many Easter cantatas and musicals and there are several songs that I cherish and still sing from those. I will share one of my favorites on Easter morning!

There are many songs out right now by Christian artists that I love. The words speak to me and move my heart. One in particular right now that we have been singing at our church is "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher. You can see the video here.

Christ is Risen lyrics:

Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

But fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely You've bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with Him again

Come awake, come awake

Come and rise up from the grave

verse 2

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bowed to none but heaven's will

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold You down

In strength You reign

Forever let Your church proclaim

bridge

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

The glory of God has defeated the night

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

O church, come stand in the light

Our God is not dead

He's alive! He's alive!

Another song we have been singing for a few years now is "Lead Me to the Cross". You can see a video and hear the song here:

Lead Me to the Cross lyrics

Saviour I come
Quiet My soul, Remember
Redemptions hill,
Where your blood was spilled, for my Ransom

PreChorus
Everything I once hold dear
I count it all as lost

Chorus
Lead me to the Cross, where you love poured out
Bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself, I belong to you
Lord Lead me,
Lead me to the Cross

Verse2
You were as I
Tempted and Tried, HUMAN
Word became flesh
Bore my sin and death, Now you're risen

Prechorus

Chorus

Bridge
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

One more song I want to share for today is "We Crown You" by Steve Fee. You can listen to it here:

We Crown You lyrics

Verse 1

All hail the power of Jesus' name

The wonders of his grace, our saviour

All bow before the king of love

Our treasure and our God, Redeemer

Pre-Chorus

There is none more holy, great, and mighty

No one like our god

Chorus

King of Kings and God of grace (We crown you, we crown you)

Our Redeemer strong to save (We crown you, we crown you)

High and holy lifted up

There is none more worthy Lord

We crown You Lord of all

Verse 2

All sing a melody of praise

Our grateful hearts we raise to you, our treasure

All rise an shout of entry cry

Cause Jesus is alive

And we have been forgiven

Bridge

For the life that you've restored

For the hope that's been reborn

Every prodigal called home (we crown you, we crown you)

Grace and mercy you have shown (we crown you, we crown you)

For the blood that washed me pure (we crown you, we crown you)

For my sin and shame no more (we crown you, we crown you)

Son of God our greatest prize (we crown you, we crown you)

King of Glory, Jesus Christ (we crown you, we crown you)