Pentecost Sunday celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit, and black gospel music can express that celebration through powerful vocals, joyful rhythms, prayerful lyrics, and congregational praise. A Pentecost worship set can combine traditional hymns, African-American spirituals, choir anthems, and contemporary gospel songs that proclaim God’s presence, faithfulness, power, and grace.
Pentecost occurs every year, exactly 50 days after Easter Sunday, when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. We give thanks for and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit with the authority given through Christ!
Pentecost is the celebration of when the Holy Spirit descended. Fifty days after Jesus Christ rose from the grave, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. Jesus promised his disciples that an advocate and helper would come.
After He was crucified and sent to His Father's kingdom that helper, the Holy Spirit, arrived from heaven to speak to the disciples. Now the Holy Spirit dwells in us, empowering us with his presence and grace.
How to Choose Black Gospel Songs for Pentecost
When we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the church should inspire and uplift the congregation. Powerful worship songs can invoke a sense of reverence and awe for the significance of Pentecost Sunday.
Sing worship songs with lyrics that exalt the work of the Holy Ghost, express gratitude for the blessings of Pentecost and celebrate the power and presence of God's spirit in the lives of believers.
Look to use worship songs for Pentecost Sunday that are energetic, joyful, and rhythmic, to reflect the excitement and promise of the day. Consider incorporating elements of traditional hymns!
Overall, Pentecost worship songs should foster a sense of connection with God's spirit during this special day, to celebrate Pentecost Sunday through songs of prayer and praise.
Black gospel artists are some of the most powerful singers in the industry. The way they can rock the church and speak to one’s soul simply with their voice is impeccable.
For many, the music that they create is timeless, and black church choirs show us why each and every Sunday, singing songs like More Abundantly by Ricky Dillard and God Is In Control by James Hall.
Contemporary Worship Songs About the Holy Spirit
For music that speaks to the soul, artists like Chris Tomlin, Tommy Walker and Matt Redman write powerful songs that praise our Lord and the Holy Spirit. But the depths of beautiful music that speak of the power and love of the Holy Spirit are deeper than you might expect.
- Mighty Name Of Jesus by The Belonging Co
- Holy Hands by Bethel Music
- Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli / Jesus Culture
- Trust In God by Elevation Worship
- The Dove by Kari Jobe
- Fall Like Rain by Passion
- Touch Of Heaven by Hillsong Worship
- Awake My Soul by Hillsong Worship
- Make Room by The Church Will Sing
- Rest On Us by Maverick City Music and UPPERROOM
- I Believe by Phil Wickham
- Jehovah by Elevation Worship
- Fresh Wind by Hillsong Worship
- Same God by Elevation Worship
- You've Already Won by Shane And Shane
- Honey In The Rock by Brooke Ligertwood
- Echo Holy by Red Rocks Worship
- In Jesus Name (God Of Possible) by Katy Nichole
- He Who Is To Come by Passion
- Do It Again by Elevation Worship
- Spirit of the Living God by Vertical Worship
- Waiting Here For You by Martin Smith / Passion
- Breakthrough Miracle Power by Passion
- When You Walk Into The Room by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
- Hands to the Heavens by Kari Jobe
- Another In The Fire by Hillsong Worship
- This I Believe by Hillsong Worship
- Holy Spirit Come by Patrick Mayberry
- Freedom by Jesus Culture
- Throne Room Song by People And Songs
- King of Kings by Hillsong Worship
- I Surrender by Hillsong Worship
- I Thank God by Maverick City Music, UPPERROOM
- The Commission by CAIN
- This Is A Move by Brandon Lake
Black Gospel Songs for Joyful Pentecost Praise
Black gospel music can bring energy and movement to Pentecost worship while helping the congregation celebrate the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. These songs include choir-driven praise, declarations of faith, testimony, gratitude, and joyful celebration.
- More Abundantly - Ricky Dillard & New G
- God Is In Control - James Hall
- Melodies From Heaven - Kirk Franklin
- Shackles - Mary Mary
- Trouble Don't Last Always - Rev. Timothy Wright
- You Are Good - Israel Houghton & New Breed
- We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary - Kurt Carr
- Oh Happy Day - The Edwin Hawkins Singers
- Total Praise - Richard Smallwood
- The Presence of the Lord Is Here - Byron Cage
- Faithful Is Our God - Hezekiah Walker
- I Call You Faithful - Donnie McClurkin
- Awesome God - J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise
- Incredible God/Praise - Youthful Praise
- We're Blessed - Fred Hammond
- How Much We Can Bear - Hezekiah Walker
- What He's Done For Me - James Hall
- Let The Church Say Amen - Andrae Crouch Feat. Marvin Winans
- Jesus Can Work It Out - Dr. Charles Hayes & Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir
- Conquerors - Kirk Franklin
- I Love You Jesus - Kikr Franklin
- I Need You Now - Smokie Norful
- Open My Heart - Yolanda Adams
- The Battle Is The Lord's - Yolanda Adams
- He's An On Time God
- I Know I've Been Changed
- God's Got a Blessing (with My Name on It!)
- He Wants It All
- He's Able
- You Brought The Sunshine (Live)
- The Clark Sisters - Is My Living In Vain
- The Clark Sisters - Hallelujah (Live)
- I'm Still Here
- Holy Ghost Power
- The Blood Still Works
- They That Wait
- Revolution - Kirk Franklin
- He Reigns / Awesome God - Kirk Franklin
Traditional Gospel Hymns and Spirituals for Pentecost
Traditional hymns and African-American spirituals can give a Pentecost service a strong foundation of prayer, testimony, hope, and reverence. They can be used during an opening worship sequence, a choir feature, a prayer response, or a reflective moment focused on the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Hush, Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name
- Storm Clouds Rising
- Soon I Will Be Done
- LORD REMEMBER ME
- There is a FOUNTAIN
- Nearer My God to Thee - Mighty Clouds of Joy
- Pray For Me - Rev.Richard (Mr.Clean) White
- Lily In The Valley
- Father, Son, Holy Ghost Is He
- Count Your Blessings
- I Will Trust In The Lord
- A City Built Four Square
- The Angels Keep Watching Over Me
- Amazing Grace
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow
- Tis the Old Ship of Zion
- Take Me To The Water
- IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD
- Down In My Soul
- He'll Step Right in on Time
Additional Songs for a Holy Spirit Service
A Pentecost setlist can also draw from songs specifically written for worship services, sermons, and prayer gatherings centered on the Holy Spirit. These selections range from classic hymns and contemporary worship songs to global Christian songs and African-American spirituals.
- All Who Are Thirsty - Benton Brown, Glenn Robertson
- Alleluia, Praise the Lord/Haleluya, Puji Tuhan - Christian I. Tamaela
- Almighty, Most Holy God - Wayne Watson
- Blow Wild and Blow Freely/Sopla, sopla fuerte - Maria Inés Simeone
- Breathe on Me, Breath of God - Edwin Hatch
- Breathe on Us - Creative Spirit, W, Bruce Benson
- Change My Heart, O God - Eddie Espinosa
- Come All You People / Uyai Mose - Alexander Gondo, Zimbabwe
- Come and Find the Quiet Center - Shirley Erena Murray, John Bell
- Come Down, O Love Divine - Richard F. Littledale
- Come, Holy Ghost - Ray Mills, Bruce Benedict
- Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancte Spiritus) - Taizé
- Come, Holy Spirit, Our Souls Inspire - Rabanus Maurus
- Come into God's Presence Singing “Alleluia” - anonymous
- Create in Me a Clean Heart (Psalm 51) - anonymous
- Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid - Veni Creator Spiritus, Latin
- Day by Day - Carolina Sandell Berg
- Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether - Percy Dearmer
- Dwell in Me, O Blessed Spirit - Fanny Crosby
- Eternal Spirit, God of Truth - Thomas Cotterill
- Every Time I Feel the Spirit - African-American Spiritual
- Fear Not, Rejoice and Be Glad - Priscilla Wright
- Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God - Horatius Bonar
- For Your Gift of God the Spirit - Edith Margaret Clarkson
- Gather Us In - Marty Haugen
- Gift of Christ from God Our Father - David Mowbray
- Give Us Clean Hands - Charlie Hall
- God Be Merciful to Me - Christopher Miner
- God Be Merciful to Me - Richard Redhead
- God Himself Is with Us - Gerhard Tersteegen
- God of the Prophets - Denis Wortman
- God We Sing Your Glorious Praises - Bert Polman
- Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading - Wilson Niwaglia
- Hear Our Prayer - Tanya Riches (Hillsong)
- He Reigns - Peter Furler, Steve Taylor
- Healer of Our Every Ill - Marty Haugen
- Holiness / Take My Life - Scott Underwood
- Holy and Anointed One - John Barnett
- Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty - Reginald Heber
- Holy Spirit, from Heaven Descended/Santo Espíritu, excelsa paloma - Philip W. Blycker
- Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God - Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
- Holy Spirit, Truth Divine - Samuel Longfellow
- I Lift My Eyes Up - Brian Doerksen
- If You and I Believe - Zimbabwe
- Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise - Walter Smith
- I'm Gonna Sing when the Spirit Says Sing - African-American Spiritual
- Let the River Flow - Darrell Patton Evans
- Light the Fire - Bill Maxwell
- Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying - Ken Medema
- Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak - France R. Havergal
- Loving Spirit - Shirley Erena Murray
- O God, We Kneel Before the Throne - Ruth VB Griffioen, Roy Hopp
- O Holy Spirit, by Whose Breath - John W. Grant
- O Holy Spirit, Lord of Grace - John Chandler
- O Living Breath/Soplo de Dios - Osvaldo Catena
- O Sing to the Lord / Cantad al Señor - Brazilian Folk Song
- Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing - Charles Wesley
- Power of Your Love - Geoff Bullock
- Praise the Spirit in Creation - Michael Hewlett
- Purify My Heart / Refiner’s Fire - Brian Doerksen
- Salvation Belongs to Our God - Adrian Howard, Pat Turner
- Send Me Lord / Thuma Mina - South African
- Send Us Your Spirit - David Haas
- Shine Jesus Shine - Graham Kendrick
- Shout to the North - Martin Smith
- Spirit Divine, Inspire (Attend) Our Prayer - Andrew Reed
- Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth - John W. Arthur
- Spirit of God, Who Dwells Within My Heart - Georg Croly
- Spirit of the Living God - Daniel Iverson
- Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness - James K. Manley
- Spirit, Working in Creation - John Richards
- Take, O Take Me As I Am - John L. Bell
- The Feast Is Ready - Graham Kendrick
- There Is a Redeemer - Melody Green
- There Is Joy in the Lord - Cheri Keaggy
- There’s No God as Great / No Hay Dios - Spanish Folk Song
- This Is the Day (when the Spirit came) - unknown
- We are One in the Spirit - Peter Scholtes
- We Need the Power of the Holy Spirit - Richard Smallwood
- When I Think about the Lord - James Huey
- When Our Savior, Yesu, Went Away - Tom Colvin
- Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow - Thomas H. Troeger
- You Are My King (Amazing Love) - Billy Foote
Ways to Arrange the Setlist
A Pentecost service can begin with a song that gathers the congregation and announces the presence of God. Come into God's Presence Singing “Alleluia”, We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary, Oh Happy Day, or He Reigns can establish a joyful atmosphere of praise.
The central portion of the service can focus directly on the Holy Spirit through songs such as Holy Ghost Power, Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Living God, Rest On Us, Fresh Wind, or Holy Spirit Come.
A reflective prayer section can include Total Praise, Open My Heart, Give Us Clean Hands, Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancte Spiritus), or Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying.
The service can then move toward testimony and celebration with More Abundantly, God Is In Control, Faithful Is Our God, I Thank God, This Is A Move, or What He's Done For Me.
Traditional hymns and spirituals can be included throughout the service to connect contemporary worship with the historic prayer and praise of the church. Suitable choices include Every Time I Feel the Spirit, I'm Gonna Sing when the Spirit Says Sing, Amazing Grace, Take Me To The Water, Soon I Will Be Done, and There is a FOUNTAIN.
Sample Black Gospel Pentecost Setlist
| Service moment | Song | Artist or writer |
|---|---|---|
| Opening praise | Oh Happy Day | The Edwin Hawkins Singers |
| Congregational celebration | We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary | Kurt Carr |
| Holy Spirit focus | Holy Ghost Power | - |
| Prayer and surrender | Total Praise | Richard Smallwood |
| Testimony | More Abundantly | Ricky Dillard & New G |
| Contemporary worship | Rest On Us | Maverick City Music and UPPERROOM |
| Traditional response | Every Time I Feel the Spirit | African-American Spiritual |
| Closing celebration | I Thank God | Maverick City Music, UPPERROOM |
Choirs, worship leaders, and musicians can adapt the selections to the congregation, the service order, and the desired movement from praise to prayer. A setlist may combine energetic gospel songs with quieter songs that invite the congregation to listen, surrender, and respond to the Holy Spirit.
