Church Update: Worship Committee
- Worship Committee
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Each week, our congregation depends on our many volunteers to make worship happen. Whether you are serving as a scripture reader, usher, soundboard operator, livestream coordinator, band member, or serving communion, the Worship Committee gives thanks for all the time you put into our worship each week.
The gathering of our community is an important element in our life of faith. For whenever we gather, God is present with us. To help make our time together spiritually meaningful, our Worship Committee works diligently to employ as many of our senses as possible each week.
Our sense of sight is used every time we gather. We have been blessed by those who have stepped up to help us decorate the altar. Creating visual imagery and beauty on the chancel (stage), whether that is on the altar itself or the banners that hang, helps us connect with God and the message Pastor Cara is leading us to reflect on. This year, volunteers have created banners, a tomb, a waterfall, and much more to enhance our worship experience. And who can forget the beauty of the candle dance on Christmas Eve!
From those who welcome us as we arrive to the music we sing, we regularly use our sense of hearing in worship. One of the largest changes we have made over the past year was moving to a blended service led by the Crossroads Band. Since then, our band has been hard at work learning not only new contemporary music but also a variety of hymns so that everyone can experience God through music. This has been no easy task, but we give thanks for their willingness to try new things, step into a leadership role, and provide music that aims to help us connect with God.
We have been blessed by those who have given flowers or donated funds to purchase flowers during the holidays. These gifts have blessed us both visually and through our sense of smell. Oftentimes, the flowers provided for our worship then go on to bless others during the week.
Recently, we have used our sense of touch by ripping fabric during our service of lament. During Lent, we took off our shoes and walked the labyrinth during holy week. By doing so, we touched the earth with our feet and reconnected with the Ground of All Being. At Christmas time, we hold and light candles as we spread the light of Christ throughout our community and the world.
Finally, on every communion Sunday, we use our sense of taste as we receive the bread and juice, remembering God’s holy acts throughout time. We are blessed by those who bake our bread, serve communion, and clear our altar after service. Additionally, we have been blessed by Leigh Starr’s design and gift of new communion ware, cups and plate, that display our logo and colors.
Over the past year, our Worship Committee members have met several times in small and large groups to improve the quality and experience of our worship service and to recruit new volunteers. If you would like to help or have suggestions to improve worship, please do not hesitate to contact Kathie Price. We appreciate having members of our congregation provide suggestions and feedback, as we want our services to be as inspiring as possible!