Brighton First Introduces Short-term, Introductory Music Experiences

Barb Terry directs an impromptu congregationa
choir in the "Hallelujah Chorus" on Easter morning.l

Band Led Worship @ 11:00
Newly formed band offers a "preview worship" 

"I'd love to sing in the choir, but I can't commit to rehearsal every week." "I'm interested in learning to play hand bells, but it must take years to learn." "I played in a band when I was younger, but I haven't played in years!" "There is no way that I can commit to music ministry every Sunday."

These are some of the comments offered by Brighton First congregation members about joining in the music ministry at Brighton First. Many people have a heart for music, but due to time constraints and lack of formal training decline to participate in the musical programs at Brighton First. Others had training or experience years ago as vocalists and/or instrumentalists, and they are hesitant to return to music performance.

We believe, at Brighton First, that making music in fellowship with other Christians is a spiritual practice that opens us to God's grace. By offering the gift of music, we grow in discipleship for Jesus Christ and enhance worship for others.

This fall, Susan Snow, our music director has restructured our music program and now offers short term choir and hand bell opportunities. There will be two sessions for hand bell novices and the entire family is welcome to participate. All those who participate in short-term choir and hand bell sessions will have the opportunity to offer music in worship. In addition, Mike Tooman, leader for our band led worship service, welcomes people at all experience levels to join his music team. 

If you are new to the music program at Brighton First, consider choosing a choir or hand bell short-term experience. If you've wanted to sing or play in a praise band, Mike Tooman is putting together a large team of musicians to draw from for worship each week.

Through the Vital Church Initiative process, we have learned that maturing disciples are involved in worship and hospitality. They are open to and obeying Jesus and living in relationships with other Christians. Maturing disciples offer service and practice generosity. Offering music, both vocal and instrumental, to the glory of God, is a discipleship practice.

Brighton First Introduces Short-term, Introductory Music Experiences

Barb Terry directs an impromptu congregationa
choir in the "Hallelujah Chorus" on Easter morning.l

Band Led Worship @ 11:00
Newly formed band offers a "preview worship" 

"I'd love to sing in the choir, but I can't commit to rehearsal every week." "I'm interested in learning to play hand bells, but it must take years to learn." "I played in a band when I was younger, but I haven't played in years!" "There is no way that I can commit to music ministry every Sunday."

These are some of the comments offered by Brighton First congregation members about joining in the music ministry at Brighton First. Many people have a heart for music, but due to time constraints and lack of formal training decline to participate in the musical programs at Brighton First. Others had training or experience years ago as vocalists and/or instrumentalists, and they are hesitant to return to music performance.

We believe, at Brighton First, that making music in fellowship with other Christians is a spiritual practice that opens us to God's grace. By offering the gift of music, we grow in discipleship for Jesus Christ and enhance worship for others.

This fall, Susan Snow, our music director has restructured our music program and now offers short term choir and hand bell opportunities. There will be two sessions for hand bell novices and the entire family is welcome to participate. All those who participate in short-term choir and hand bell sessions will have the opportunity to offer music in worship. In addition, Mike Tooman, leader for our band led worship service, welcomes people at all experience levels to join his music team. 

If you are new to the music program at Brighton First, consider choosing a choir or hand bell short-term experience. If you've wanted to sing or play in a praise band, Mike Tooman is putting together a large team of musicians to draw from for worship each week.

Through the Vital Church Initiative process, we have learned that maturing disciples are involved in worship and hospitality. They are open to and obeying Jesus and living in relationships with other Christians. Maturing disciples offer service and practice generosity. Offering music, both vocal and instrumental, to the glory of God, is a discipleship practice.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Brighton First Staff Participates in United Way "Day of Caring"

Brighton Staff Members: Lisa Guise, Alyssa Tumolo, Kali Hnatowich (staff
member for a day!), Mike Tooman, Missy Setty, Stacy Hnatowich, Loretta Job,
Wendy Carmack, Susan Snow, Bob Fuchs, Sherry Parker-Lewis

 The staff of Brighton First volunteered Wednesday, August 16, as a "Day of Caring" Team for Livingston County United Way. Staff members agreed earlier in the summer that they wanted to spend their summer retreat day working together to assist residents in Livingston County. They chose to join Day of Caring.


Livingston County United Way recruits and coordinates over 1,000 volunteers in a one-day effort to assist county residents with home repairs, cleaning, painting, lawn care and bringing good will. The Brighton First Staff  and our church's Men With Tools group were among the teams sent out to help.

The staff worked as a team to complete a painting/cleaning project. They spent the day working side-by-side, solving problems together, laughing together and meeting community members.

One of our church's core values is service, working in mission in the name of Jesus Christ. The staff enjoyed being in mission together.

Brighton First Honors Community Educators on October 9

On Sunday, October 9, Brighton First will recognize and honor community educators. We will invite teachers and administrators from area schools and encouraging congregation members to invite educators they know. During worship we will recognize educators and pray for them and their important work. We will also host an educators' breakfast. In the month of September we will collect classroom supplies that we will make available to educators on October 9.

There will be more information available in the church newsletter, the website, Facebook, the church bulletin and in the Community Room in August and September. Susan Snow, Director of Music, is heading this project. Please contact her for more information here.

In 2015, Brighton First made a commitment to follow the recommendations of the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team (see full consultation report at the "documents" link found on the upper right corner of this blog page). Among the tasks listed in the report was the charge to host two community-wide events per year. These events serve several purposes. First, our church is able to honor or assist a group of people in our community. Second, our church becomes more connected and aware of the needs and gifts of our community. Third, people of the Brighton area are invited to come into relationship with our community of faith.

Inviting area educators to be honored goes toward fulfilling the mission of Brighton First to Know God, Love God and Serve God. We are offer the love of God and serve in the name of Christ as we honor and help others. We also give others the opportunity to know God through our outreach.

Brighton First Honors Community Educators on October 9

On Sunday, October 9, Brighton First will recognize and honor community educators. We will invite teachers and administrators from area schools and encouraging congregation members to invite educators they know. During worship we will recognize educators and pray for them and their important work. We will also host an educators' breakfast. In the month of September we will collect classroom supplies that we will make available to educators on October 9.

There will be more information available in the church newsletter, the website, Facebook, the church bulletin and in the Community Room in August and September. Susan Snow, Director of Music, is heading this project. Please contact her for more information here.

In 2015, Brighton First made a commitment to follow the recommendations of the Vital Church Initiative Consultation Team (see full consultation report at the "documents" link found on the upper right corner of this blog page). Among the tasks listed in the report was the charge to host two community-wide events per year. These events serve several purposes. First, our church is able to honor or assist a group of people in our community. Second, our church becomes more connected and aware of the needs and gifts of our community. Third, people of the Brighton area are invited to come into relationship with our community of faith.

Inviting area educators to be honored goes toward fulfilling the mission of Brighton First to Know God, Love God and Serve God. We are offer the love of God and serve in the name of Christ as we honor and help others. We also give others the opportunity to know God through our outreach.

Worship Hosts Meet to Review Role in Worship

Beginning in 2015, we moved from having clergy lead the majority of our worship services to congregation members in leadership. We call these volunteers Liturgists (read prayers and scripture) and Worship Hosts. Each Sunday, volunteers open worship, share announcements and offer prayer. Our opening prayers and offering prayers are written by church staff members (clergy and Susan Snow, Music Director), and our Congregational Prayers are written by the Worship Hosts.

At a recent gathering of Worship Hosts, we discussed worship leadership responsibilities and ways that we can improve the worship experience. It is the goal of our Worship Team to create worship that is relevant, transformative and transcendent.

Bruce Stark serves as a
Brighton First Worship Host.

The group determined that Liturgists, who read scripture each week, could be invited to write opening prayers and offering prayers that reflected their study of the scripture. I agreed to set a date for a prayer writing workshop for all who are interested. (The term liturgist is an ancient word that refers to the person in a worship service who leads the congregation in the regular prayers of worship and reads scripture.)

The Worship Hosts also talked about the movement of worship, the most effective way to share announcements, the introduction of worship leaders at the beginning of the worship service and prayer content. After discussing the format of the new band-led worship service that will begin in the fall, the group decided that Worship Hosts will not volunteer to lead in all three worship services on one Sunday. They will either host 8:00 and 9:30 worship or host 11:00 worship.

The group was excited to welcome our newest Worship Host, a high school freshman. We plan to grow the ranks of our Liturgists and Worship Hosts in the coming months and to offer training. Recently, six members of the newly formed 11:00 band led congregation expressed interest in serving as worship hosts.

Brighton First has had rich, effective ministry through the years
because the congregation values service. It is a blessing to have talented, committed people of faith offering service to God through worship leadership.

Worship Hosts Meet to Review Role in Worship

Beginning in 2015, we moved from having clergy lead the majority of our worship services to congregation members in leadership. We call these volunteers Liturgists (read prayers and scripture) and Worship Hosts. Each Sunday, volunteers open worship, share announcements and offer prayer. Our opening prayers and offering prayers are written by church staff members (clergy and Susan Snow, Music Director), and our Congregational Prayers are written by the Worship Hosts.

At a recent gathering of Worship Hosts, we discussed worship leadership responsibilities and ways that we can improve the worship experience. It is the goal of our Worship Team to create worship that is relevant, transformative and transcendent.

Bruce Stark serves as a
Brighton First Worship Host.

The group determined that Liturgists, who read scripture each week, could be invited to write opening prayers and offering prayers that reflected their study of the scripture. I agreed to set a date for a prayer writing workshop for all who are interested. (The term liturgist is an ancient word that refers to the person in a worship service who leads the congregation in the regular prayers of worship and reads scripture.)

The Worship Hosts also talked about the movement of worship, the most effective way to share announcements, the introduction of worship leaders at the beginning of the worship service and prayer content. After discussing the format of the new band-led worship service that will begin in the fall, the group decided that Worship Hosts will not volunteer to lead in all three worship services on one Sunday. They will either host 8:00 and 9:30 worship or host 11:00 worship.

The group was excited to welcome our newest Worship Host, a high school freshman. We plan to grow the ranks of our Liturgists and Worship Hosts in the coming months and to offer training. Recently, six members of the newly formed 11:00 band led congregation expressed interest in serving as worship hosts.

Brighton First has had rich, effective ministry through the years
because the congregation values service. It is a blessing to have talented, committed people of faith offering service to God through worship leadership.

Creating Connections

Susan Snow, Music Director at Brighton First

On May 1, Confirmation Sunday, music director Susan Snow chose a specific piece of piano music to play while the confirmands served Holy Communion to the congregation. She played "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy. The composition is from the third movement of Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque".

On Monday, following the worship service, she received a compliment for the music she played. Susan explained, "For Confirmation, I chose 'Clair de Lune' because I wanted the confirmands to hear music that they will hear in other places. It may remind them of their confirmation when they hear it."

Susan certainly picked a popular piece of music. Through the years it has been part of several musical scores for movies, advertisements and television shows. Could it be that when the strains of "Clair de Lune" play, a new memory has been attached?

It's interesting to think about the memories that we carry from our experiences of church. For me, I carry sensory memories from the church of my childhood. I remember the smell of the furniture polish in the sanctuary, the light coming through the stained glass, the smell of the Sunday school classroom and the taste of the watered-down Kool-aid served after church.

I have been thinking this week about the possible sensory memories the children will carry from Brighton First. Will they remember the songs that Susan plays as they come forward for the children's message? Will they remember the taste of crackers, cookies, fruit or cakes they find on the coffee hour table? Will they remember the smell of glue and markers from craft projects in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School?

I learned a long time ago that one of the most important things that a community of faith can do is let children know that they are welcomed and appreciated. This remembered sense of belonging may be why a young adult will choose to join in the ministry of a church.

The development of committed disciples for Jesus Christ begins in Christian community that is loving, supportive and welcoming. 

I am grateful for Susan Snow's thoughtful contribution to the memories of our confirmands. And I give thanks to God for the care and support that the congregation of Brighton First offers to its youngest members of this community of faith.

Creating Connections

Susan Snow, Music Director at Brighton First

On May 1, Confirmation Sunday, music director Susan Snow chose a specific piece of piano music to play while the confirmands served Holy Communion to the congregation. She played "Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy. The composition is from the third movement of Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque".

On Monday, following the worship service, she received a compliment for the music she played. Susan explained, "For Confirmation, I chose 'Clair de Lune' because I wanted the confirmands to hear music that they will hear in other places. It may remind them of their confirmation when they hear it."

Susan certainly picked a popular piece of music. Through the years it has been part of several musical scores for movies, advertisements and television shows. Could it be that when the strains of "Clair de Lune" play, a new memory has been attached?

It's interesting to think about the memories that we carry from our experiences of church. For me, I carry sensory memories from the church of my childhood. I remember the smell of the furniture polish in the sanctuary, the light coming through the stained glass, the smell of the Sunday school classroom and the taste of the watered-down Kool-aid served after church.

I have been thinking this week about the possible sensory memories the children will carry from Brighton First. Will they remember the songs that Susan plays as they come forward for the children's message? Will they remember the taste of crackers, cookies, fruit or cakes they find on the coffee hour table? Will they remember the smell of glue and markers from craft projects in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School?

I learned a long time ago that one of the most important things that a community of faith can do is let children know that they are welcomed and appreciated. This remembered sense of belonging may be why a young adult will choose to join in the ministry of a church.

The development of committed disciples for Jesus Christ begins in Christian community that is loving, supportive and welcoming. 

I am grateful for Susan Snow's thoughtful contribution to the memories of our confirmands. And I give thanks to God for the care and support that the congregation of Brighton First offers to its youngest members of this community of faith.

Worship Team Prepares for Worship Changes this Summer

Brighton First's Worship team met on Tuesday, April 5. Their discussion included review of Lent and Easter worship, making notes for next year, and discussion of the upcoming summer worship series "The Deep End".

The Worship Team also discussed the upcoming changes in the 11:00 worship service. They agreed that the best metaphor for the transition ahead was "retooling the factory for production of a new model." The tentative plan is to hold a final 11:00 worship service on Sunday, May 22. The worship service would end for the summer and be reintroduced in the fall as a new worship service. During the summer, those committed to launching a new worship service would receive training and help to prepare for the service. In many ways, the process will be like starting a new church. Please keep this prayer in process and if you are feeling lead to join the team, see Bob Fuchs or me.

Also about worship: At Brighton First's music director Susan Snow's suggestion, I recently read the book Ignite by Nelson Searcy. He is the lead pastor of The Journey Church in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida. Searcy writes that the size of a worshiping congregation can rise when hospitality, visitor follow up, opportunities for relationship are joined with worship "events". He suggests three to four special worship services a year. Preparation for the worship services would include encouraging congregation members to invite friends and family and specific marketing in the community.

In Searcy's experience the best times to hold special worship services that intentionally welcome the community are about a month after school starts, in February and at Easter. Susan Snow will be leading exploration of this model and possibly using it here at Brighton First.

Worship Team Prepares for Worship Changes this Summer

Brighton First's Worship team met on Tuesday, April 5. Their discussion included review of Lent and Easter worship, making notes for next year, and discussion of the upcoming summer worship series "The Deep End".

The Worship Team also discussed the upcoming changes in the 11:00 worship service. They agreed that the best metaphor for the transition ahead was "retooling the factory for production of a new model." The tentative plan is to hold a final 11:00 worship service on Sunday, May 22. The worship service would end for the summer and be reintroduced in the fall as a new worship service. During the summer, those committed to launching a new worship service would receive training and help to prepare for the service. In many ways, the process will be like starting a new church. Please keep this prayer in process and if you are feeling lead to join the team, see Bob Fuchs or me.

Also about worship: At Brighton First's music director Susan Snow's suggestion, I recently read the book Ignite by Nelson Searcy. He is the lead pastor of The Journey Church in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida. Searcy writes that the size of a worshiping congregation can rise when hospitality, visitor follow up, opportunities for relationship are joined with worship "events". He suggests three to four special worship services a year. Preparation for the worship services would include encouraging congregation members to invite friends and family and specific marketing in the community.

In Searcy's experience the best times to hold special worship services that intentionally welcome the community are about a month after school starts, in February and at Easter. Susan Snow will be leading exploration of this model and possibly using it here at Brighton First.

Brighton First Mission Evident on Holy Thursday

The Brighton First Faith Community came together on the evening of Holy Thursday, and through worship, demonstrated the mission of our church. We are a people who know God, love God and serve God through Jesus Christ.

Thirteen men took the roles of Jesus and Jesus' disciples and reenacted the Last Supper scene. The adult choir, led by Susan Snow, offered anthems that brought hearers to the communion table.

The moving worship was supported by volunteers who prepared special lighting, worked the audio/visual board, reset the chancel area and prepared the communion elements.

Through worship we learned about the disciples, both their role in Jesus' ministry and their struggles as Jesus' death neared. We were inspired, as the disciples were, by the words and actions of Jesus as they remembered them. We gave thanks to God for Jesus as we shared a communion meal together.

All those who took park in bringing this inspirational worship to Brighton First, have served God during this Holy Week in a humble way.

At Brighton First, it is our intention that all that we do lead people into a deeper, richer relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Brighton First Mission Evident on Holy Thursday

The Brighton First Faith Community came together on the evening of Holy Thursday, and through worship, demonstrated the mission of our church. We are a people who know God, love God and serve God through Jesus Christ.

Thirteen men took the roles of Jesus and Jesus' disciples and reenacted the Last Supper scene. The adult choir, led by Susan Snow, offered anthems that brought hearers to the communion table.

The moving worship was supported by volunteers who prepared special lighting, worked the audio/visual board, reset the chancel area and prepared the communion elements.

Through worship we learned about the disciples, both their role in Jesus' ministry and their struggles as Jesus' death neared. We were inspired, as the disciples were, by the words and actions of Jesus as they remembered them. We gave thanks to God for Jesus as we shared a communion meal together.

All those who took park in bringing this inspirational worship to Brighton First, have served God during this Holy Week in a humble way.

At Brighton First, it is our intention that all that we do lead people into a deeper, richer relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

An Inside Look at the Process for Creating a Worship Service

Bob Fuchs, Brighton First's Director of Discipleship, attended his first staff meeting a week ago. When the bulletin for the upcoming Sunday worship services was passed around for review, he asked, "How did this get here?" That's a good question. What type of planning goes into conceiving, creating and offering a worship service at Brighton First? And, how, by Wednesday afternoon of the previous week is a member of the church staff able to hold in his/her hand the Sunday worship bulletin.

Please keep in mind that as I describe these steps that all phases of worship design and preparation are held in prayer by myself and the many who contribute to bring relevant and inspiring worship.
Here's the process that brought the worship services of Sunday, March 6. The theme was "Not So Fast to Judgement". 

In late 2015, the worship staff and Brighton First's worship committee began to discuss themes for the Lenten season. They decided that for Lent, it would be good to slow down, to seek to meet God at a slower pace. I took that general goal and began to read through the Gospel of Luke. I intentionally looked for places where Jesus either slowed his pace or asked his disciples to slow down. In Luke 6 Jesus asked the crowd to love their enemies and to not judge. I chose to use this text for one of the weeks in Lent.

By January, the weekly worship themes for Lent were set. Alyssa Tumolo, our staff member who works on promotional graphics, designed our theme logo for Lent. In February, Susan Snow, the music director determined hymns and special music for the worship service. Because the theme was judgement, she introduced the song "Man in the Mirror" to the Young People's Worship Arts Group. The song would open the sermon. Susan also captured videos of the children talking about experiences of judgement. Those would be used during the sermon. Susan chose an invitation to contemplation sung by the choir to follow the sermon.

Also, in February, I wrote the printed prayer used in worship and sent out a draft of the worship order. By mid-February the worship team was actively planning the March 6 worship service in our weekly meetings. Because it was a communion Sunday, we determined the prayers used with communion.

The week before the worship service, our worship host for the week, Carol Kapustka, received information about the theme and scripture. She began preparing the congregational prayer and also a story about judgement that she would share from her life. Missy Setty, our Children's ministry director, received the same information and began to prepare to give the children's message at the 9:30 worship. She gathered books at home and from the school library and took a picture of them. That picture would be on the screens in worship and be the backdrop for her message on not "judging a book by its cover."

On Monday, February 29, the worship staff ran through the worship service once more and discussed timing, transitions and movement of those who would be participating and leading. Susan Snow prepared a technical script for each service and sent it to all worship leaders and the audio/sound technicians.

On March 3, I gathered all the notes and quotes that I had been collecting for this sermon over a two month period and prepared to write. I chose two video interviews that Susan had shot with children telling stories of judgement. I studied the scripture again, in greater detail and wrote out the entire sermon manuscript. I determined what visuals I wanted for the sermon and sent those to Chris Attarian, our media coordinator.

On Friday, Chris worked to finish putting together all the screen slides and videos for worship.

The process of creating this single worship service also included the rehearsal of a the choir, the volunteers who put cards and envelopes in the pew racks, the scheduling of acolytes and ushers and greeters, the liturgists receiving their readings by email, the sanctuary being cleaned, and Nancy Smail purchasing and preparing the communion bread and juice. Two audio/visual technicians ran the sound, lights and screen images at every worship service. Linda Victory designed the worship area for that Sunday. And, of course, the worship bulletin was prepared by our office assistant, Wendy Carmack.

Finally, on the morning of worship at 6:00 I ran through the sermon one more time and prepared a brief outline to preach from. At 7:15 am, worship leaders gathered to talk through the worship service and then to walk through it.

I know that I've missed something and my apologies to those who were not named for their efforts. Consider that worship is not a one time event. Preparation and planning are an on going task. I invite you to pray for the many stages of worship planning and preparation at Brighton First and those who serve God in worship leadership. 

An Inside Look at the Process for Creating a Worship Service

Bob Fuchs, Brighton First's Director of Discipleship, attended his first staff meeting a week ago. When the bulletin for the upcoming Sunday worship services was passed around for review, he asked, "How did this get here?" That's a good question. What type of planning goes into conceiving, creating and offering a worship service at Brighton First? And, how, by Wednesday afternoon of the previous week is a member of the church staff able to hold in his/her hand the Sunday worship bulletin.

Please keep in mind that as I describe these steps that all phases of worship design and preparation are held in prayer by myself and the many who contribute to bring relevant and inspiring worship.
Here's the process that brought the worship services of Sunday, March 6. The theme was "Not So Fast to Judgement". 

In late 2015, the worship staff and Brighton First's worship committee began to discuss themes for the Lenten season. They decided that for Lent, it would be good to slow down, to seek to meet God at a slower pace. I took that general goal and began to read through the Gospel of Luke. I intentionally looked for places where Jesus either slowed his pace or asked his disciples to slow down. In Luke 6 Jesus asked the crowd to love their enemies and to not judge. I chose to use this text for one of the weeks in Lent.

By January, the weekly worship themes for Lent were set. Alyssa Tumolo, our staff member who works on promotional graphics, designed our theme logo for Lent. In February, Susan Snow, the music director determined hymns and special music for the worship service. Because the theme was judgement, she introduced the song "Man in the Mirror" to the Young People's Worship Arts Group. The song would open the sermon. Susan also captured videos of the children talking about experiences of judgement. Those would be used during the sermon. Susan chose an invitation to contemplation sung by the choir to follow the sermon.

Also, in February, I wrote the printed prayer used in worship and sent out a draft of the worship order. By mid-February the worship team was actively planning the March 6 worship service in our weekly meetings. Because it was a communion Sunday, we determined the prayers used with communion.

The week before the worship service, our worship host for the week, Carol Kapustka, received information about the theme and scripture. She began preparing the congregational prayer and also a story about judgement that she would share from her life. Missy Setty, our Children's ministry director, received the same information and began to prepare to give the children's message at the 9:30 worship. She gathered books at home and from the school library and took a picture of them. That picture would be on the screens in worship and be the backdrop for her message on not "judging a book by its cover."

On Monday, February 29, the worship staff ran through the worship service once more and discussed timing, transitions and movement of those who would be participating and leading. Susan Snow prepared a technical script for each service and sent it to all worship leaders and the audio/sound technicians.

On March 3, I gathered all the notes and quotes that I had been collecting for this sermon over a two month period and prepared to write. I chose two video interviews that Susan had shot with children telling stories of judgement. I studied the scripture again, in greater detail and wrote out the entire sermon manuscript. I determined what visuals I wanted for the sermon and sent those to Chris Attarian, our media coordinator.

On Friday, Chris worked to finish putting together all the screen slides and videos for worship.

The process of creating this single worship service also included the rehearsal of a the choir, the volunteers who put cards and envelopes in the pew racks, the scheduling of acolytes and ushers and greeters, the liturgists receiving their readings by email, the sanctuary being cleaned, and Nancy Smail purchasing and preparing the communion bread and juice. Two audio/visual technicians ran the sound, lights and screen images at every worship service. Linda Victory designed the worship area for that Sunday. And, of course, the worship bulletin was prepared by our office assistant, Wendy Carmack.

Finally, on the morning of worship at 6:00 I ran through the sermon one more time and prepared a brief outline to preach from. At 7:15 am, worship leaders gathered to talk through the worship service and then to walk through it.

I know that I've missed something and my apologies to those who were not named for their efforts. Consider that worship is not a one time event. Preparation and planning are an on going task. I invite you to pray for the many stages of worship planning and preparation at Brighton First and those who serve God in worship leadership.