Liturgy & Worship Discernment
Liturgy & Worship Discernment
Embedded Files
Our Liturgy and Worship
Our Liturgy and Worship
Before we serve, we worship. Worship isn’t something we consume, it’s something we join. We step into the sanctuary before we step into a role. In every prayer, every song, every Scripture read aloud, we are being shaped as one body in response to the living God.
Service is part of our worship, not something extra. From sound to slides, music to Scripture, each role helps the church respond together in praise and prayer. The word liturgy means “the work of the people”, this shared work is how we offer ourselves to God and to one another. Serving is an act of love and discernment—seasonal, relational, and responsive to the Spirit. Some of us may serve regularly, others for a season. Both are needed. Both are holy.
Whether you're already part of the team or sensing a new invitation to serve, we hope this helps you see how your presence contributes to the worship and peace of the church.
Discernment Overview
Discernment Overview
1. Join in communal life and worship:
Are you rooted in relationships with others in the community?
Are you rooted in the worship life of the church?
Participation in gathered worship forms the foundation of all service. Before we serve, we receive.
For children: their participation begins simply by being present—singing, praying, and watching alongside the congregation. When they serve (e.g., reading Scripture), it is an extension of the worship they are already learning to inhabit. Parents and mentors help guide this rootedness.
2. Prayerful Reflection:
Have you prayed and reflected about this invitation to serve? Is there peace, joy, or a persistent sense of call? Take time to seek the Spirit’s leading before committing.
Consider your season of Life What is your current capacity and season? Consider rest, family, work, and health. Our “yes” should be faithful, not forced.
Consider your Gifts and Strengths Where do others see you flourish? Serving should draw on how God has made you, your personality, passions, and patterns of grace.
For children: discernment is shared. Parents pray with their children, noticing both eagerness and hesitation, and discerning together whether a child is ready to step into a role of service for a season.
3. Walking and Listening Together:
Are you aligned with what we confess as God’s vision and way of life? In particular ff you are considering a season to serve as a ministry team lead, have you been received the broader body of Christ in baptism and are you committed to this particular community in love?
Speak with a deacon or elder. We discern together. Conversation and community help us know when and how to step in.
Observe, shadow, or serve in a support role first? Humble beginnings help us grow into sustainable ministry with joy and maturity.
For children: walking together includes both family and church. Parents, elders, and deacons accompany children in discernment, helping them take first steps in ways that are simple and joyful. A child might begin by reading Scripture, lighting candles, or joining a parent in serving.
4. Rhythms of Serving:
Are you open to a seasonal commitment (e.g., 4 months)? Serving in seasons allows space for rest, renewal, and responsiveness to life’s changes.
For children: seasonal rhythms matter too. A child might serve once every two months for a school year, then rest in summer. These short seasons help them learn that service is part of the worshipping life, but never a burden.
Liturgy & Worship: Sound Team
Liturgy & Worship: Sound Team
Sound Operator
Sound Operator
Rhythm: Serving once per month
Commitment: 4 month period
Description
Sound Operators help the church hear—clearly, calmly, and attentively. Through simple and faithful presence, they create space where worship can be shared with peace. We do this not for production value, but so others can listen, sing, and rest without distraction.
How you help the church:
Set up and run a simple sound check (arrive by 1:45 PM)
Monitor speech and music levels during the service
Record the sermon (no editing required)
Tear down with others after the service
Posture:
Serve as part of the rhythm of worship, not just the technology
Prayerfully help others hear the Word, voices of prayer, and congregational song
Let your service be shaped by weekly devotions and the gathered life of the church
What’s needed:
A willingness to learn and serve
Attention to detail and teamwork
shadowing before your first Sunday
Scripture to Reflect On:
In Nehemiah 8, Ezra reads aloud so all can hear clearly—“they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”
Jesus taught from hillsides and boats, His voice reaching the crowds (Luke 5).
In Acts 2, the Spirit enables proclamation that all can hear in their own language.
Sound Lead
Sound Lead
Rhythm:
1 Sunday per season
Weekly ensure audio files are edited
Commitment:
a season, renewable as appropriate
Description:
The Sound Lead supports others and tends to the overall rhythm of the sound team. Rather than doing everything, this lead equips, schedules, and encourages a team of operators with gentleness and clarity.
How you help the church:
Coordinate the sound team schedule each season
Update and maintain simple how-to guides
Walk alongside and train new sound operators
Ensure sermon audio is edited and uploaded (or delegated)
Be available for occasional troubleshooting during transitions
Spiritual posture:
Offer steadiness, not pressure
Support growth and health in others
What’s needed:
Calm presence and light organization
Optional hands-on mixing 1–2 Sundays per season
Scripture to Reflect On:
In Nehemiah 8, Ezra reads aloud so all can hear clearly—“they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”
Jesus taught from hillsides and boats, His voice reaching the crowds (Luke 5).
In Acts 2, the Spirit enables proclamation that all can hear in their own language.
Liturgy & Worship: Liturgists
Liturgy & Worship: Liturgists
Scripture Reader (Kids Welcomed)
Scripture Reader (Kids Welcomed)
Rhythm:
Serving once every two months
Commitment:
a season, renewable as appropriate
Description
Scripture Readers give voice to God’s Word for the gathered church. By reading passages aloud in worship, they help us listen together and be formed by the story of God. This role is of proclamation. Whether adult or child, the reader serves the congregation by inviting everyone to hear the living Word with attentiveness, reverence, and joy.
How you Help the Church
Read assigned Scripture passages aloud during worship with clarity and care
Prepare at home by practicing the passage and praying over the reading
Model reverence for the Word through your voice, posture, and presence
For parents: accompany and support children who are reading, helping them prepare and feel confident in their ministry
Posture
Read with attentiveness and prayerfulness, not as performance but as proclamation
Serve with humility, remembering the Word is central not the reader
Allow the Spirit to work through your voice as the community listens together
What's needed
A willingness to read aloud in front of others
Basic comfort with pronunciation and pacing (pausing, slowing, emphasizing where needed)
For children: support from parents and encouragement from the church family
A heart ready to be shaped by the Word you read
Scripture to Reflect On
“Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13)
“Ezra opened the book… all the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.” (Nehemiah 8:5)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16)
Psalm 119
Liturgy & Worship: Projection and Media Team
Liturgy & Worship: Projection and Media Team
Slide Operator
Slide Operator
Rhythm:
Serving once per month
Commitment:
a season, renewable as appropriate
Description:
Slides & Projection Operators help guide the flow of worship by advancing slides during songs, scripture readings, and the sermon. This role supports everyone in the room—musicians, preachers, and worshipers—by providing the words and cues that hold us together.
How you help the church:
Help set up the computer and livestream
Prepare the slideshow (from provided files or templates)
Arrive by 2:00 PM to load and test slides
Advance slides during worship and sermon with attentiveness
Communicate with the music and sound team if adjustments are needed
Posture:
Serve quietly, attentively, and prayerfully
Pay attention to how the flow of slides supports gathered worship
Be present to the moment—not just the screen
What’s needed:
Comfortable using presentation software, and media tools
Able to follow song lyrics, scripture flow, and preaching cues
Willing to be flexible and calm in real-time moments
Scripture to reflect on:
In Colossians 3:16, Paul calls us to let the Word dwell richly by “singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”
In Psalm 96, all the earth is invited to lift its voice—slides help everyone join in that song. Worship is communal, and the visual support of liturgy helps shape the gathered experience:
In Exodus 15, Israel sang together after crossing the Red Sea: “I will sing to the Lord.” Visual ministry helps everyone sing and see together—a quiet service that enables full participation.
Slides & Projection Lead
Slides & Projection Lead
Rhythm:
1 Sunday per season
Commitment:
a season, renewable as appropriate
Description:
The Slides & Projection Lead helps ensure the flow of visuals for worship and preaching is smooth, consistent, and peaceful. This person supports others serving in projection by maintaining clarity in slides, preparing schedules, and helping newcomers grow in confidence.
How you help the church:
Coordinate the projection rotation and check in with the team seasonally
Support newcomers by offering training, encouragement, or check-ins
Maintain and lightly update visual templates if needed, and help maintain consistent design
Ensure Sunday files are prepared, tested, and sent on time
Posture:
Approach visual flow as a form of hospitality and prayer
Support calm preparation, not perfection
Serve gently behind the scenes
What’s needed:
Familiarity with slides or an openness to learn
Good communication and encouragement skills
Willingness to commit for a season and help others flourish
Scripture to reflect on:
In Colossians 3:16, Paul calls us to let the Word dwell richly by “singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”
In Psalm 96, all the earth is invited to lift its voice—slides help everyone join in that song. Worship is communal, and the visual support of liturgy helps shape the gathered experience:
In Exodus 15, Israel sang together after crossing the Red Sea: “I will sing to the Lord.” Visual ministry helps everyone sing and see together—a quiet service that enables full participation.
Discernment note:
If you feel deep joy when worshiping through music, find yourself singing spiritual songs throughout your week, or feel drawn to lead others in adoration—this may be a sign of a musical calling. Musical ministry requires not only skill but spiritual maturity, attentiveness to the gathered body, and a heart open to correction and encouragement.
Liturgy & Worship: Musical Arts
Liturgy & Worship: Musical Arts
Musician
Musician
Rhythm:
Serving once per month
Musicians serve for defined season (3–4 months). After that, we pause together, reflect, and discern whether to continue, rotate, or rest.
Description:
Musicians serve by leading the congregation in song and prayer, helping to carry the voice of the church with sensitivity, creativity, and faithfulness. This is not performance, but participation, bringing the church into praise and attentiveness to God.
How you help the Church:
Support the congregation’s voice and posture through instrumental and vocal leadership
Participate in one rehearsal and Sunday sound check each time you serve
Communicate with the Music Lead and fellow musicians to prepare well
Posture:
Offer your gift with humility and consistency
Practice attentiveness to the Spirit, the community, and the flow of the liturgy
Be open to receiving and encouraging others as part of a team
What's needed:
Musical ability (vocal or instrumental) and readiness to blend with others
Flexibility, good listening, and a heart to serve
Scripture to reflect on:
Throughout Scripture, song is central to the life of God's people:
Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134): Pilgrims sang on their way to worship, reminding us that music accompanies us on the journey of faith.
Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…” Singing is mutual encouragement, not just expression.
Acts 16:25: Paul and Silas sing in prison. Our songs we sing are prayers. They train us in prayer that overflow from our hearts.
Revelation 5: Our songs echo heaven. We join the angels in praise around the throne.
Music Team Lead
Music Team Lead
Rhythm:
Coordination & musical leadership – 1 Sundays per month
Music Leads serve for a season (typically 3–4 months), then discern with a deacon or elder whether to continue, rotate, or pause.
Description:
Music Leads help guide the musical shape of worship by selecting songs, preparing the team, and facilitating worship on Sundays. This is a leadership role rooted in humility, clarity, and prayerful preparation.
How you help the church:
Select and prayerfully prepare songs in alignment with the liturgy and Scripture themes
Collaborate with the whole Musical Arts ministry on songs
Lead rehearsals and sound check with steadiness and hospitality
Coordinate with the Sound, Projection, and Deacon, and Elders to support the flow of the service
Invite and encourage musicians into sustainable rhythms of service
Posture:
Model presence before performance; participation before polish
Listen to the needs of the team and the movement of the Spirit
Lead music with care, collaboration, and a heart for the church’s song.
What’s needed:
Musical confidence, pastoral sensitivity, and preparation discipline
Good communication and adaptability
Awareness of the congregation’s voice and capacity
Scripture to reflect on:
Throughout Scripture, song is central to the life of God's people:
Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120–134): Pilgrims sang on their way to worship, reminding us that music accompanies us on the journey of faith.
Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…” Singing is mutual encouragement, not just expression.
Acts 16:25: Paul and Silas sing in prison. Our songs we sing are prayers. They train us in prayer that overflow from our hearts.
Revelation 5: Our songs echo heaven. We join the angels in praise around the throne.
Discernment note:
If you feel deep joy when worshiping through music, find yourself singing spiritual songs throughout your week, or feel drawn to lead others in adoration—this may be a sign of a musical calling. Musical ministry requires not only skill but spiritual maturity, attentiveness to the gathered body, and a heart open to correction and encouragement.
Page updated
Report abuse