Here’s My Vision of How Our Sunday Worship Could Look
It’s still a few months away but I’m already dreaming and planning for our first worship services. Nothing is set in stone yet – there are some details that still need to be worked out, most notably a place to hold worship services – but I’m confident that things will come together and much of what I’m planning will become an actuality come September.
I'm hoping (and yes, fervently praying) that we’ll be able to share the Westwing Elementary School facility with Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, with their worship at 9am and Spirit Song worshiping at 11am. I want to create an environment that will facilitate worship. I want an attractive altar on the stage with a large cross, candles and bible that will be the focus of our worship. There will be room for a praise band that will include keyboard, guitar and drums. On either side will be two projection screens where the lyrics to songs and the words to prayers and other liturgy can be easily viewed. I would love to have banners hanging on poles or from screens on either side of the seating area so that worshipers are no longer aware of being in a school gym.
As people arrive for worship I envision enthusiastic volunteers directing drivers to handicap parking and welcoming worshipers at the door. I want first-time visitors to feel welcomed and comfortable (casual clothes!). There will be plenty of signs to direct people to restrooms, nursery, classrooms, visitors table, etc. Parents will have a beeper to alert them if they are needed in the nursery. Recorded music will be playing as people enter and friendly ushers will hand out programs as they guide people to their seats.
In my vision the worship service will begin with the praise band inviting people to stand as we sing an upbeat contemporary praise song and then segue into a modern arrangement of a popular traditional hymn. This will set the tone for our blended style of worship that will be participatory, celebratory and transformational. Besides the praise band we will also have an adult choir as well as a children’s choir, a children’s time in worship and an emphasis on Bible-based preaching and prayer.
The typical Sunday morning will begin with adult and children’s classes at 9am (with nursery) with a fellowship time following and then our worship at 11am. Children’s choir would rehearse during the 11am service after they’ve been dismissed from children’s time.
Basically, in my vision, Sunday mornings at Spirit Song will focus on:
1) intentional discipleship training in classroom settings for all ages
2) quality nursery offered from 9am until noon
3) excellent music program with both adult choir and children’s choir
4) participatory worship with emphasis on music, prayer & transformational preaching
5) radical hospitality for newcomers and loving fellowship for all
I’d love to hear what you think about my vision for worship and get feedback to these ideas.
Blessings,
Steve