A processional is a great way to set the mood for a worship service, concert, or event. The mood may be celebratory, sorrowful, regal, etc.
When to use a processional in a worship service:
| Advent/Church New Year | Ascension |
| Christmas | Pentecost |
| Epiphany | Trinity |
| Ash Wednesday (Alleluia retires) | Reformation |
| Lent | All Saints |
| Palm Sunday | Thanksgiving |
| Easter (Alleluia returns) | Christ the King |
Where to use a processional in a worship service:
| Call to Worship | Opening to Psalm reading |
| Hymn introit | Introduction of Gospel reading |
| Children’s Sermon – movement | Transitional part of the service |
Other times you might use a processional:
| Concert introduction | Funeral |
| Wedding | Pageant “filler” between scenes |
Published Processionals
There are a number of published processionals. Some include 1-2 written BT part(s) but several others can be adapted for BT. These may also serve as inspiration as you write processionals. Here is a list to download.
Bell Tree Peal
A processional for BT may be as simple as a peal with keyboard or other instrumentation. See the Easy Bell Tree Peal posted in the BT Repository by Barb Brocker. It is in the unpublished music folder.
Here is a link to download an Easy Processional Worksheet.
DYI Traditional Processional – this is a downloadable document with all of the steps to creating a traditional processional.