In just a few weeks, we will begin the Advent Season. Advent, which means ‘coming’ in Latin, is the time when we prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus into our lives once more. This year, the first Sunday of Advent is Sunday, November 30.
As we embark on this season, we will also be experimenting with a new approach to leading music during worship. Each Sunday, a small group of band members will lead us in singing a variety of music. This means that you will hear a mix of traditional hymns and contemporary songs every time we gather for service. We are doing this for three major reasons.
First, we want to increase the consistency of the worship experience. Depending on the week you attend worship, you may experience a different Auburn First. Some weeks, when the band leads the music, you receive one impression of the church. When you come the following week and we sing traditional hymns, you will have a completely different experience. The shifting of music styles from week to week can be confusing for newcomers. Thus, we aim to offer a variety of music styles each week, ensuring that guests have a consistent impression of our community regardless of when they attend.
Second, we want to enhance our livestreaming worship experience. Our livestream will now be the front porch, on which people will try Auburn First to see if we are a good fit for them. Therefore, it is essential that we offer a high-quality experience. Right now, on Sundays, when we sing traditional hymns, there is no lead vocal, making it difficult to sing along at home. By offering a small group to lead the singing each week, we enhance the experience for those watching online.
Three, Auburn First has spent many years with both a contemporary and a traditional service. The benefit of offering multiple styles of worship is that people can attend the worship service that offers the music style that helps them connect with God. The downside is that each worship service can feel like a completely different church. Thus, one of our goals in implementing this change is to help unify the congregation.
As we try something new, I ask that you bring a curious and flexible Spirit each Sunday. We will be learning together, so your feedback on what is working and what isn’t is welcome. I pray that through this experiment, we might not only be brought closer to God but also to one another.