Our average worship attendance is growing toward a full crowd (at 80% seating capacity a worship service “feels” full, families find it hard to find seats together, etc.). In our case we reach that point at about 350 worshippers and we’ve been ranging from 250 to 350 this year. So, how do we anticipate welcoming the next 150 worshippers? We have surveyed the effectiveness of our previous Saturday night service and results have been evaluated by our leadership. Consensus emerged around the idea that it has been difficult to sustain despite its unique effectiveness for some. To support such a service, we have learned we need additional greeters and ushers, another praise team, another nursery, another childrens ministry, and another Café/hospitality team. Without additional servants supporting Saturday night, double duty asked of those with Sunday responsibilities leverages a burn-out scenario. We hope to recreate a Saturday night service in the future but now, or August 22nd as we had anticipated, does not seem to be God’s timing. But an alternative worship service is still needed to anticipate growth. As a response we will launch an additional Sunday morning service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 20. Support ministries will not require as much duplication. The resulting congregations can stay in touch with one another by sharing breakfast at 10:00 or meeting up in hometeams. The alternative service will only be an hour, probably offer communion as an option to follow, and lean toward a more traditional style (hymns, creeds, responsive readings, etc.). Our hope is to offer some new choices and make space for more worshippers whom God may even now be calling to be a part of the church we are yet to be. Contact Terri if you would consider being part of a piano/keyboard accompaniment rotation for this service. And let’s spread the word that God’s doing a new thing starting September 20!
Whether you choose to worship at 9:00 a.m. or at 10:30 a.m., you will be blessed by great music led by Terri and an inspired message by Pastor Chris.
And regardless of when you choose to attend, you can enjoy breakfast in the cafe with your Abiding Harvest family between services.
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