The Entrance Song

The Entrance song or hymn often signals the beginning of the formal acts of worship, particularly the procession and the entrance of the leaders of worship. The purpose of the Entrance song is to focus the mind, heart, and spirit of the worshiping community on the praise of God. The Entrance song also accompanies the action of the ministers, choir, and others who process into their places. Consequently, it is best to sing familiar music to convey the sense of coming before the Lord.

The Entrance song(s) and the entrance of ministers, readers, and choir is a very important part of worship because it signals the community coming before God. The entrance of clergy and choir—whether formal, from the back of the sanctuary, or casual, from side doors—should symbolize more than minister and choir taking their seats. In many worship renewal churches the procession is being revived because of the vital symbolic significance it expresses of coming before the Lord. During Lent, in many traditional churches the Entrance song is omitted in favor of a silent procession, or is preceded by a penitential rite directed from the rear of the congregation. Examples of the Entrance song are as follows: Hymns "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty" "A Mighty Fortress" "O God Our Help in Ages Past" "When Morning Gilds the Skies" "The God of Abraham Praise" "O Christ, the Word Incarnate" "Crown Him with Many Crowns" "All Creatures of Our God and King" "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven" Choruses "All Hail King Jesus" "Be Exalted, O God" "Enter into His Gates" "Hail to the King" "I Extol You" "Let There Be Glory, Honor, and Praises" "To Thee We Ascribe Glory" "We Bring a Sacrifice of Praise" "Good Morning, Jesus" "Praise Ye the Lord" "The Lord Is Present" "Hymn of Glory" "This, This Is the Day"