What this song does in a room
"Today Is The Day" is a song that lifts a room before the band even finishes the first measure. Lincoln Brewster wrote it as a declaration, not a request, and that distinction shapes everything the song does in a sanctuary.
The first chorus moves the congregation from observation to participation almost immediately. The lyric is direct. The melody is reachable. The tempo is in the sweet spot for a room to clap, jump, or move without feeling forced. Within ninety seconds, you can usually see the back rows engage, which is the hardest test of a fast worship song.
It is not a deep theology song. It is a celebration song, and the church needs those. Not every set should be a meditation. Some Sundays the congregation needs to be reminded that this is the day the Lord has made, and that being alive in His presence is itself a reason to rejoice.
Used well, the song shakes loose a heaviness people did not know they were carrying.
What this song is saying about God
The song is anchored in Psalm 118:24. "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." That single verse is the entire backbone of the song. The lyric is not adding to it. It is taking the church into it.
Psalm 100:1 and 2 frames the posture the song is asking for. "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing." That is the posture the song calls out of the congregation. Not subdued. Not careful. Joyful and loud. The song refuses to apologize for that.
Galatians 5:1 sits behind the freedom language. "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." The song is celebrating that freedom in real time. The chorus is not asking God to set the church free. It is praising God that the church is already free. That is a significant theological move, and it lands the song in the right place.
The song forms a worshiping people who treat each Sunday as a gift, not a duty. That posture matters. Many congregations arrive at church carrying the residue of the week. The song gives them a place to set it down and remember what is actually true. Today is the day. Not tomorrow. Not when things get better. Today.
It is a song that fights against the lie that joy must wait for ideal conditions.
Where to place this song in your set
This is a service opener. It does the job of welcoming a room and shifting the energy from gathering to worship in one move. Most congregations need that move, and this song handles it cleanly.
It also works well as a transition song between a slower reflective moment and a celebration moment. If your set has been quiet and you need to lift the room before the sermon or before a baptism, this song can pivot a service without feeling jarring.
For a celebration Sunday, a baptism Sunday, or any service centered on God's faithfulness, this song fits naturally. The freedom language ties directly into the moments the church is publicly celebrating.
For a season of grief or seriousness in your congregation, leave it on the shelf. The song does not bear the weight of lament well, and forcing it into the wrong moment makes the room feel patronized.
It pairs poorly with another high-energy song of the same style back-to-back. The room can only sustain so many declarations before fatigue sets in. Use it as the lift, not the run.
Practical notes for leading this song
The tempo wants to drift up. Lincoln Brewster's recording sits at 106 bpm, and the band will push it toward 110 if you let them. Lock the click and trust the pocket.
For the production side. This song needs a guitar player who can carry the rhythmic figures cleanly. If your electric guitarist tends to over-play, simplify the parts. The song does not want a solo. It wants a groove.
Audio: the kick and snare need to be present and forward in the mix. This is a rhythm song, and a soft drum mix kills it. Make sure the low end is tight without being muddy.
ProPresenter: the song has very simple lyric blocks. Use large fonts and minimal slide transitions. The room is moving, and busy slides distract from the song.
Lighting: this is a song where you can use color and movement. Talk to your lighting tech about a build through the verses and a release on the chorus. The bridge can take additional energy. Do not flash on the verses.
Band: pull back on the second verse if you want to give the congregation a moment to sing the melody on their own. The dynamic dip makes the return to the chorus more powerful.
Vocally, the song sits in a comfortable range for most lead singers. Lead it in A for a male voice. Move to C for a female voice. If your congregation skews high or low, adjust accordingly.
End the song clean. Do not let it trail off. The declaration deserves a strong final chord.
Songs that pair well
Songs to lead into this one: "Happy Day" for continued celebration energy. "Forever Reign" for a sustained declaration. "My Lighthouse" if you want another joyful upbeat option.
Songs to lead out of this one: "Great Are You Lord" gives the room a sit-down moment after the lift. "Build My Life" pivots into surrender. "Goodness Of God" continues the gratitude thread at a lower tempo.
Before you lead this song
You are about to lead a song that hands the church its joy back. Some people in the room have not laughed in a week. Some have not sung in a month. Open your hands. Mean the words. Let the room celebrate, and let yourself celebrate with them.