Liturgy Planning

Click the Sunday title to go to the USCCB readings.
If a recording is available, click the title of the song to listen.
Click here for a list of psalm responses for Years A, B, and C.

1st Sunday of Lent

Entrance Send Down Your Spirit Connects with the Gospel's opening: "Filled with the Holy Spirit." The lyrics "Lord send down Your Spirit, Let me receive Your peace" mirror Jesus' reliance on the Spirit during his temptation and our own need for spiritual strength during Lent. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Desert Directly connects with the Gospel (Luke 4:1-13) where Jesus is "led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days." The lyrics "In the desert, there's nowhere to hide" and "In the desert, He speaks to me, He says I've been there too, So won't you just trust me" perfectly capture Jesus' desert experience and our own Lenten journey. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Against the Current Connects with the Gospel's theme of resisting temptation. The lyrics "And against the current I will go, Even though it shakes the depths of my soul" capture the spirit of Jesus standing firm against the devil's temptations, choosing God's way over the easy path. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional My Strength (All Around) Relates to Psalm 91 where God promises protection: "Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble." The lyrics "You are here with me" and "I will not live in fear, O God for You are here, All around" echo the psalm's assurance that God is present in times of trouble. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

3rd Sunday of Lent

Entrance Cast My Cares Relates to 1 Corinthians 10:12, "whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall." The lyrics about depending on God rather than oneself—"I will cast my cares on You my God"—emphasize the humility needed to avoid the pitfall of self-reliance warned against in the second reading. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Vessel Relates to Exodus 3:14 where God reveals himself as "I AM WHO AM." The song's lyrics about emptying oneself to be filled with God's presence mirrors Moses' encounter with the holy presence of God, where he is asked to remove his sandals on holy ground. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Wideness Perfectly captures Psalm 103's description of God's vastness of mercy: "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness." The song's line "There's a wideness in Your mercy never ceasing" directly parallels this scriptural imagery. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Renew Me Aligns with the Gospel's parable (Luke 13:1-9) about the fig tree being given another chance to bear fruit. The lyrics "Renew me Lord" and "Call me back to You" echo the gardener's plea to cultivate and fertilize the tree for renewal, reflecting God's patience and desire for our repentance. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

2nd Sunday of Lent

Entrance Glory Links to the Gospel account where the disciples "saw his glory." The song encourages sharing stories of God's glory, which parallels how the disciples eventually would share what they witnessed. The line "tell of His mighty deeds" connects with the revelation of Christ's glory on the mountain. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Heart of Mercy Relates to the covenant God made with Abram in Genesis 15, showing God's merciful commitment. The lyrics about finding refuge in God's heart mirror the psalm's confidence: "The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid?" SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Chosen Connects with Philippians 3:17-4:1 where Paul urges believers to "stand firm in the Lord." The song's affirmation "You have chosen this heart" reinforces Paul's reminder that believers are chosen citizens of heaven with a heavenly identity. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional You Shine Connects with the Gospel (Luke 9:28-36) where Jesus' face "changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white." The chorus "You are the light in the darkness... Oh You shine" directly reflects the transfiguration experience where Christ's divine light was revealed to the disciples. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

4th Sunday of Lent

Entrance Made Your Way "Made Your Way"Relates to multiple aspects of the readings. The lyrics about God finding someone "sobbing in a hole in the ground" and reaching down reflect both the prodigal son's desperate situation and God's rescue described in Psalm 34: "I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory You Never Tire Perfectly captures the heart of the Prodigal Son parable in Luke 15. The lyrics "And I'll return a thousand times to the arms that won't let go" and "You never tire of welcoming me home" directly parallel the father's unwavering welcome to his returning son. The line "When I walk in with my head hanging low, You welcome me in with a ring and a robe" specifically references the father's actions in the parable. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Come to the Feast Directly ties to the feast prepared for the prodigal son in Luke 15:23-24. The lyrics "The bread has been broken, The wine has been blessed, So come partake of the feast" reflect the celebration described in the Gospel: "Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast." SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Frame Connects with 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 about becoming "a new creation" and being "reconciled to God." The lyrics "I am seen in full, I am known completely, I am loved more than I can know" speak to the restored relationship that comes through reconciliation, echoing the father's complete acceptance of his returned son. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

5th Sunday of Lent

Entrance Invitation Captures the spirit of the Gospel (John 8:1-11) where Jesus offers mercy to the woman caught in adultery. The lyrics "I know you've been broken... But you never are forsaken" and "You don't have to impress me" convey Christ's non-condemning attitude and his invitation to a new beginning. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Looking Reflects Philippians 3:13-14 where Paul speaks of "forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead." The song's acknowledgment that "All this time I've been looking" parallels Paul's pursuit of Christ, while recognizing that Christ has been pursuing us all along. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Walls (I'm Done Hiding) Connects with the woman in the Gospel who was exposed and humiliated but ultimately freed by Christ's mercy. The lyrics "I'm done hiding, I want more" and "Break through these walls and fight my fear" reflect the transformation that comes when we stop hiding our sins and accept Christ's offer of a new beginning without condemnation. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Joyful Noise Connects with Psalm 126's theme of joyful restoration: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy." The lyrics "Jesus by His blood He saves me, Over and over again" echo the psalm's celebration of God's redemptive work and the joy that follows when "our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing." SongSelect ONE LICENSE

Palm Sunday

Entrance Behold Him Perfectly captures the Palm Sunday entrance procession (Luke 19:28-40). The lyrics "Behold Him, Your King is coming towards you" and "All praise to King Jesus" directly parallel the crowd's proclamation: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord." The "Hosanna" in the bridge further connects to the triumphant entry. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Soul of Christ Relates to Jesus' final words in Luke 23:46: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." The prayer "Soul of Christ, be for me my sanctification, Body of Christ be for me my salvation" connects our salvation to Christ's sacrificial death that we commemorate during Holy Week. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion You Are Jesus This song emphasizes the recognition of Jesus’ divine kingship and identity, resonating with the acclamation, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" from the Procession with Palms and the confession of the centurion at the crucifixion, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" from Mark's Passion narrative. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Thorn to Throne Captures the journey from Palm Sunday's triumph to Good Friday's passion. The imagery of moving "from thorn to throne" parallels Christ's path from being crowned with thorns to his ultimate exaltation described in Philippians 2:9: "God greatly exalted him." SongSelect ONE LICENSE

Holy Thursday

Entrance Proclaim This song connects with the theme from 1 Corinthians 11:26: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Say the Word Connects with the Gospel's foot washing scene (John 13:8-9) where Peter initially refuses Jesus' gesture. The lyrics "O Lord I am not worthy, Of the gift before me... But say the word, And my soul shall be healed" reflect Peter's realization that he needed to accept Christ's humble service. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Satisfies This song addresses the core meaning of the Eucharist as the true satisfaction for our spiritual hunger. The lyrics "Then I remember, My Jesus you're the one who satisfies, You're what my heart really wants, All that it needs" connect beautifully with the institution of the Eucharist, where Jesus gives himself as true food and drink. The theme of earthly things failing to satisfy while Jesus completely fulfills our needs aligns with the Eucharistic focus of the evening. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Up Close Relates to John 13:1: "He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end." The lyrics "When the smoke and mirrors fade, We finally see Your face, We're open and exposed, But You love us up close" reflect the intimate love Jesus showed at the Last Supper. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

Good Friday

Entrance Martyr’s Love Profoundly connects with Isaiah 53 and Jesus' suffering on the cross. The lyrics "When mercy is leaving, And justice is weeping, My heart it bleeds alone" reflect the Suffering Servant who was "pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins." The prayer "Give me a martyr's love" echoes Jesus' words from the cross: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (John 18:34), demonstrating the selfless love of one willing to die for others. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Even In the Silence Connects with Psalm 31's theme of trust in God during abandonment: "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." The lyrics "Even in the silence, You are with me, Even in the waiting, Though I can't see" mirror Jesus' experience on the cross when God seemed silent, yet Jesus maintained trust: "Into your hands I commend my spirit." SongSelect ONE LICENSE
PLACE Jesus, You Are Here Powerfully connects with the Veneration of the Cross portion of the Good Friday liturgy. The simple, direct lyrics "Jesus, You are here, And I praise You for who You are" focus our attention on Christ's presence in the midst of suffering. The line "In the stillness of this moment, Jesus I know that You are here" captures the solemn, contemplative atmosphere of Good Friday when we reflect on Christ truly present in his sacrifice. It also relates to John 19:25-27 where Jesus, even from the cross, remains present and attentive to those below. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Cross of Christ Directly addresses the central focus of Good Friday. The lyrics "Upon You Savior's arm spread wide, An embrace from which death could not hide" vividly depict the crucifixion scene from John 19. The line "The sacrificial altar for the King" connects with Hebrews 4-5 describing Jesus as the high priest offering himself as sacrifice. SongSelect ONE LICENSE

Easter Sunday

Entrance Victor Relates to 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, "For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed." The song celebrates Christ as the victorious King: "Now we are a people living and redeemed" and "Hail to our Victor, Hail to our King," reflecting Easter's triumph theme found in the Sequence: "The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal." SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Offertory Just As He Said Connects directly with John 20:9, "For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead." The song's repeated affirmation "All is just as He said, He is risen from the dead" celebrates the fulfillment of Jesus' predictions about his resurrection. The lyrics "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" encapsulate the Easter proclamation. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Communion Real Presence Ideal for Communion as it celebrates Christ truly present in the Eucharist: "You're truly here fully alive, In Your Body and Your Blood." This takes on special meaning at Easter when we celebrate that Christ is truly alive. The line "Soul and Divinity Jesus" connects with the resurrected Christ who is fully present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—in the Eucharist we receive. SongSelect ONE LICENSE
Recessional Death Is Not the End Captures the heart of the Easter message found in Psalm 118:17, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." The bridge repeats the Easter truth "Death is not the end," while the lyrics about God's "roar like thunder comes up from the ground" evoke the power of the resurrection described in Acts 10:40, "This man God raised on the third day." SongSelect ONE LICENSE