Singing Through the Seasons: A Hymn Companion for the Liturgical Year

Written By Rachel Fetters

One of the most beautiful gifts of Christian worship is its rhythm. The liturgical calendar doesn’t just keep time; it tells the story of salvation. From the hopeful anticipation of Advent, through the joy of Christmas, the revelation of Epiphany, the repentance of Lent, the sorrow and triumph of Holy Week and Easter, the fire of Pentecost, and the steady faith of Ordinary Time—the church year invites us to live into the story of Christ again and again.

Hymns give voice to that story. They shape our theology, root us in Scripture, and invite us to carry the gospel into daily life. With so many hymns available, it can be hard to know which songs best fit each season. That’s why this new resource was created: a compiled list of hymns from The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing, organized by liturgical season and holiday.

Hymn Spreadsheet

How to Use the Spreadsheet

The hymns are arranged in a sortable table with clear columns:

  • Liturgical Number: a numeric code for each season (1 = Advent, 2 = Christmas, etc.).

  • Liturgical Season: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time, or Communion.

  • Holiday: used only for special observances (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, All Saints Day).

  • Hymn & Title: the number and title from the hymnal.

  • Topic: thematic connection (e.g., Resurrection and Exaltation, Grace and Pardon, Mission).

To find hymns for a particular time in the year:

  1. Sort by “Liturgical Number” to arrange hymns in the chronological order of the Christian year.

  2. Filter by “Liturgical Season” to view all hymns connected to Advent, Easter, etc.

  3. Filter by “Holiday” if you’re planning for a special day like Christ the King Sunday or Ash Wednesday.

This way, the spreadsheet can function as a planning tool for worship leaders, musicians, and congregations who want their song choices to reflect the church’s journey through the seasons.

By singing through the liturgical year, we allow the gospel story to echo in our lives beyond Sunday mornings. The hymns we carry in our hearts shape how we pray, how we serve, and how we walk with Christ day by day.

Rachel Fetters