Worship & Music Ministry Team
This team works with the pastor and music director in the planning, supervision, and support of the congregation’s worship. They plan for each liturgical season, helping envision our worship services and practices during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, among other seasons and holidays.
Altar Guild
This team helps prepare our sanctuary for worship each week. They set up and clean up our supplies for Holy Communion, as well as arrange the paraments (colored cloths on the altar and pulpit) and banners for each season.
Worship Stewards
Serving as a worship steward on Sunday mornings is a great way to enhance your worship experience and feel the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Worship stewards are vital to the flow of our worship and are not difficult to learn. Positions include: ushers, greeters, communion assistants, assisting ministers, acolytes, and crucifers (cross bearers). Children and youth are especially invited to serve in our acolyte and crucifer positions.
Roles
The assisting minister helps the presiding minister lead worship, including carrying the printed liturgy, reading, and helping distribute communion.
The ushers hand out bulletins, collect the offering, and assist worshipers and other stewards as needed while monitoring the narthex.
The greeters welcome worshipers as they enter the church, and bring in the wine and bread during the offertory.
The pouring chalice bearers assist during communion.
The common cup bearers assist during communion.
The crucifer carries the cross at the beginning and end of the service, as well as assists with communion.
The acolyte handles the candle lighter at the beginning and end of the service, as well as assists with communion.
Vocal Choir
Open to all adults and youth of any age who love to sing, the choir at LCOS performs during the Sunday worship two or three times per month. The choir sings a variety of songs from traditional hymns to African American spirituals and global music in foreign languages. The choir also participates in our large Christmas and Easter celebrations. Soloists, ensembles, and smaller groups also contribute to our worship services, especially in the summer. Choir meets on Wednesday nights 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Hand Bell Choir
Open to adults and youth of any age and musical ability, the bell choir plays English Handbells and offers a musical arrangement one Sunday a month during worship. Members do not need to be able to read music, and each person plays only two to three bells at a time. The Hand Bell Choir practices on Tuesday evenings 7:15–8:30 p.m.
The Ensemble
This small group offers more modern-influenced music and vocal arrangements in worship. Most of these singers learn by ear and add their own harmonies. The Ensemble practices before choir at 6:30 p.m. on some Wednesdays.
Instrumentalists
If you play an instrument, there are many ways you can share your gifts with the congregation. We welcome anyone who would like to play a solo or would like to help provide additional accompaniment for our hymns or other music.
Children
Our young worshipers receive musical instruction during Sunday School. They may learn how to sing a song, accompany the choir, ring hand chimes, or have fun drumming along with percussion instruments.
There are many ways to participate in our music programs. All that is needed is a love of music and the desire to share God’s word through that music. Any questions about the music program at LCOS can be sent to our music director, Susan Kish, at musicdirector@lcosva.org.