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  • Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir...

    Ray Chavez/staff archives

    Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir during a concert at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

  • TERRY WYATT/GETTY IMAGES Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle, who scored...

    TERRY WYATT/GETTY IMAGES Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle, who scored a big crossover hit with "You Say," performs Day One at Outside Lands.

  • Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses...

    Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses for a photograph at Skyline Studios in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Nelson recently released his new album "The Proclamation." (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

  • NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: Phil Wickham speaks at the...

    NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: Phil Wickham speaks at the 4th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards at The Grand Ole Opry House on June 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for KLOVE)

  • Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir...

    Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir during a concert at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

  • Singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith performs at the Ryman Auditorium in...

    Singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith performs at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in January 2015. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

  • Lauren Daigle performs on stage during the first day of...

    Lauren Daigle performs on stage during the first day of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

  • Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses...

    Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses for a photograph at Skyline Studios in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Nelson recently released his new album "The Proclamation." (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

  • Tauren Wells (Hannah Burton)

    Tauren Wells (Hannah Burton)

  • Lauren Daigle performs on stage during the first day of...

    Lauren Daigle performs on stage during the first day of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

  • CMA MEDIA PROMOTIONS The Grammy-winning Contemporary Christian group Hillsong Worship...

    CMA MEDIA PROMOTIONS The Grammy-winning Contemporary Christian group Hillsong Worship brings its tour to San Jose State's Event Center on Oct. 29.

  • Michael W. Smith performs onstage during Celebrity Fight Night XXV...

    Michael W. Smith performs onstage during Celebrity Fight Night XXV on March 23, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)

  • Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses...

    Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses for a photograph at Skyline Studios in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Nelson recently released his new album "The Proclamation." (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Lauren Daigle performs onstage...

    LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Lauren Daigle performs onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for NARAS)

  • Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir...

    Ray Chavez/staff

    Artistic director Terrance Kelly directs the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir during a concert at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Lauren Daigle performs onstage...

    LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Lauren Daigle performs onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

  • Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses...

    Christian rapper Anthony Nelson also known as "A. Doulos" poses for a photograph at Skyline Studios in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Nelson recently released his new album "The Proclamation." (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

  • The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir performs at Sweetwater Music Hall...

    The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir performs at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

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Jim Harrington, pop music critic, Bay Area News Group, for his Wordpress profile. (Michael Malone/Bay Area News Group)
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Easter is one of the most popular times of the year to attend church. But millions won’t be able to physically attend church on this holiday, April 12, due to restrictions tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That will make for a very different Easter for many, even though several places of worship are now regularly meeting online (including some that will be livestreaming Good Friday services).

So to help get folks in Easter spirit, we’ve put together a little playlist of some of our favorite Christian music songs from recent years.

Enjoy the tunes and have a happy Easter.

“Way Maker,” Sinach (2015)

This song has been nothing short of a phenomenon, with this Nigerian gospel singer’s original version collecting more than 130 million views on YouTube alone. It’s also been covered by several other artists, many of whom have had hits with the song. Most importantly, it’s been embraced by worship leaders at countless churches across the globe. No song is bigger in the genre right now.

“How Can It Be,” Lauren Daigle (2015)

Plain and simple, Daigle has one of the best voices in all of music. And she puts it to incredibly good use on the title track to her platinum-certified debut album of 2015.

Read our Lauren Daigle concert review here. Also, read about Daigle’s rescheduled local concerts here.

“Living Hope,” Phil Wickham (2018)

The triumphant title track from Wickham’s seventh studio album went on to win a Dove Award for worship recorded song of the year.

 

“I Got Bible For It,” A. Doulos

We just love to turn this one up — way up — and groove along with this East Bay hip-hop talent, who proves not only to be one the region’s best rappers but also to be an impeccable dresser as he sports plenty of A’s and Warriors gear in the video.

Read our interview with A. Doulos here.

“Glorious Day,” Passion (2017)

It’s hard not to smile when this uplifting worship tune, featuring vocals by Kristian Stanfill, is on.

“What a Beautiful Name,” Hillsong Worship (2016)

Yet another smash from Australian hitmakers Hillsong Worship, this lead single from the “Let There Be Light” album went on to win two Doves as well as the 2018 Grammy for best contemporary Christian music performance/song.

Read our interview with Hillsong Worship here.

“God’s Not Done With You,” Tauren Wells (2017)

The R&B/soul singer shows why he’s considered one of the genre’s rising stars as he croons through this beautifully heartfelt ballad.

Read our interview with Tauren Wells here.

“Steady My Heart,” Kari Jobe (2012)

The Grammy-nominated, multiple-Dove winner from Texas showcases her stunning vocal talent on this gorgeous number from her 2012 sophomore outing, “Where I Find You.”

Read our interview with Kari Jobe here.

“One More Day,” Aaron Cole (2018)

Great songs like this one helped make this rapper become the first hip-hop artist to win the Dove Award for new artist (2019).

“Christ Is Risen,” Mack Brock (2018)

It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate song for an Easter playlist.

“In Awe,” Hollyn (2017)

Some might remember this Ohio native from her time competing on season 12 of “American Idol” in 2013. After (repeatedly) listening to this amazing number — one of the most powerful ballads the genre has produced in a long, long time — it’s really hard to understand how she didn’t take home the title on that TV talent show.

“My Testimony,” Elevation Worship (2020)

Looking for a brand new worship music favorite? Try the latest from this North Carolina-based powerhouse.

“Bless this House,” Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir (2003)

Of course, it’s a privilege to include an offering from this marvelous Bay Area institution, under the guidance of artistic director Terrance Kelly.

“Way Maker,” Michael W. Smith (2019)

We’ll close the playlist in the same way it began — with arguably the most popular tune in Christian music today. This version is by one of the genre’s longtime favorites, who’d score a top 10 hit with this song.

Read our interview with Michael W. Smith here.

(And — why not? — here’s a bonus version of “Way Maker” from Leeland)