Prayer
Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to give wisdom and guidance in the planning.
Scripture
Consider asking questions like these:
- What does the text say?
- What will the sermon say about the text?
- What action will the sermon inspire?
- What act of confession is appropriate to the scripture passage?
- How might prayers be different in light of this scripture passage?
- What songs use words, phrases, or themes from this scripture passage?
- What themes are in the scripture passage?
- Are there other factors to consider such as , special prayer requests, that will impact the service?
Resources:
Brainstorm and Gather Resources
Consider asking questions like these:
- How does the service fit into the ?
- How could other scripture passages that complement, inform, or challenge the text be included in the service?
- How might motifs, colors, or other visual elements enhance the service?
- What occasions for prayer are there?
- Who could participate?
- What songs could work with the scripture passage and/or theme?
- How would other musical contributions or dramas work with the scripture passage and/or theme?
- What could the order, template, or pattern for the service be?
- What changes service-to-service?
- What stays the same service-to-service?
General Resource Ideas:
- Orders, template, or patterns:
- Gathering
- Word
- Response
- Sending
- (Living Our Faith Together is a student-led worship service on the campus of Calvin University)
- Vertical Habits
- , 2nd edition, Faith Alive Christian Resources, Baker Books, and 91ÁÔÆæ
- , Westminster/John Knox Press
- , Church of Scotland
- , Abingdon
- , Choristers Guild (includes prayers for Children)
Music Related Resource Ideas:
Put It All Together
Consider asking questions like these:
- What is the balance of familiar and unfamiliar to the worshipers?
- How can worshipers be stretched?
- Does the song repertoire contain both new and familiar songs that shape and challenge worshipers?
- What is the tone of the service?
- How will one part of worship ?
- Should the transitions be scripted?
- How would those transitions carry the focus of the service?
- Will transitions be ?
- Is the number of instructions appropriate for the context?
- Are there significant lines in a song or scripture reading that could be emphasized through a transition?
- How will worshipers pray?
- How will each specific prayer function (i.e. thanksgiving, confession)?
- How will the prayers engage the worshipers?
- Who will lead the prayers?
- Will the prayers be scripted, or will they be planned extemporaneous prayers?
- What will each specific prayer do?
- How will the prayers ?
- How can worship leaders encourage participation?
- Who will lead?
- How do the readers prepare to proclaim the Word of God?
- How do the musicians and other leaders prepare?
- Can the participants gather for prayer before the service?
- Over the period of a few weeks, is there a good balance of all age groups and abilities involved in leading worship?
- What training could be helpful for our worship planners and leaders?
- What or guide the pattern of worship or the service scripture/theme?
Resources:
