It was my privilege this week to take over Karen Sawyer’s job-or part of it, just for this Sunday. I led worship, along with a small ensemble. Win Wood did the prayer piece of things. I sure enjoyed it, and as I told Karen, it gave me a great appreciation for all the work that she puts in every week to make things happen. It was a real treat to have Brian Kester stand in with me. Ruth Trice and Jim Morton are worship team regulars, but I nevertheless appreciated their patience with me.
Are you curious about what goes into the music part of Sunday? Don’t you think Karen and our worship team make it look so effortless and easy? Here is what I know from firsthand experience this week:
1) Karen gets notes about the upcoming sermon and some of the directions the message may take. Sometimes that includes suggested scriptures for reading and occasionally, a song or hymn.
2) Karen puts together the musical selections and any scripture readings to match the theme of the message where possible. Those are entered into worship planning software, and the correct order of verses and choruses is selected so that the words on the slides match what we are singing. Candy and Gina use that information for the written lyrics in the bulletin
3) Musicians are scheduled (that’s done usually some weeks before)- the right number of singers, drums, bass, guitar, and other supporting instruments (violin/mandolin/banjo/2nd guitar). If someone is on vacation, subs are arranged.
4) Music is pulled from the files, or printed and hole punched if it is a new song, and put in the musicians folders before the practice so that none of the volunteer worship members’ time is wasted with pulling music.
5) Rehearsal is held usually on a Thursday night from about 7:00 to 8:15 or 8:30 if needed. Our sound technician for the week is present at that rehearsal to practice as well. Everyone except Karen is a volunteer. Every note of every song is played, and where things didn’t go well, replayed again to iron out the kinks. Musicians make notes of any important changes (for example, instructions to play the song’s chorus as the introduction). Prayer is a part of the time they spend together.
6) Many of the musicians practice at home to make sure they are ready for Sunday. When I play with the band as a musician, this is essential for me to incorporate Karen’s instructions and refinements. If I am playing a guitar solo at some point, I rehearse it and try to improve my technique on it. I believe I am not alone on that! Many of the musicians do their own practice also!
7) Sunday morning before church, the entire set is rehearsed again. During the school year that means getting to church around 8:20 AM. During the summer they are there at around 9:30 AM.
8) Just before worship starts, the team huddles (literally!) to pray. Then, at 10:30 AM the first note of the song to gather us for worship is played.
Whew! That is a lot of work. It’s all to help us as a congregation worship God together and not get distracted while we worship. I hope you realizing I am expressing my appreciation for Karen and the whole team for all the work they do! Thanks Karen! Thanks Team!