Westminster Presbyterian Church

Worship Committee

Responsibilities for the Worship Committee

The purpose of the Worship Committee is to work with the staff to coordinate and carry out activities that support worship. The sacred act of worship is the most important corporate activity that we do together as a body of believers assembled as Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The Responsibilities of the Worship Committee at Westminster include…

(Those items denoted with an (*) indicate the need for Session approval)

1. Work with and assist the staff to carry out activities that support worship needs.

2. Review and evaluate all elements of worship at Westminster

·          Consult and use the Book of Order for instructions.

3. Worship calendar

*  Set the Worship Schedule for WPC – times and dates of all services for the year.

*  Set the dates for serving communion.

4. Liturgists

·          Arrange for a liturgist when appropriate.

·          Provide instructions for liturgists when necessary.

5. Communion arrangements

·          Arrange for preparation of the communion elements.

·          Arrange for Elders and Deacons to serve communion.

·          Provide instructions communion servers.

·          Prepare changing written documentation as to how each communion service is to be served.

*    Review requests for serving communion to members who are unable to attend regular church services.

6. Ushers and greeters

·          Prepare written instructions for ushers.

·          Arrange for ushers.

·          Arrange for greeters before the church service. (Currently the Deacons have arranged for and greet worshipers after the worship service.)

7. Physical and spiritual needs in the sanctuary and chapel

·                        Coordinate floral and/or other arrangements appropriate for use in the sanctuary.

·          Care for and maintain the flowers/plants in the sanctuary and narthex.

·          Arrange for technical support for sound control during the service.

*   Review requests for special services. 

*   Approve requests for baptisms. An Elder meets with the minister and the parents when discussing the baptismal process.

*   Approve requests for weddings.

*   Review needs for maintaining the function of WPC’s supply of musical instruments.

*   Prepare and secure appropriate advertisements for regular worship services/special services.

·          Be available to “fill in” for any congregational members who are unable to fulfill their responsibilities to serve during any worship service.

8. Pulpit supply

*   Make sure that Westminster has ministerial participation either via our minister or from “Pulpit Supply.”

*   Work with Presbytery regarding requests for ministers not on the “Pulpit Supply” list to conduct services within our church building.

9. Music offerings

·          Work with Director of Music on all music offered during worship experiences.

10. Budget for worship

*   Establish a budget for the Worship Committee

*   Review memorial contributions for worship items.

*   Seek memorial and/or other monies for items appropriate to the worship needs of the congregation.

*   Request funds through the Property and Finance Committee and report all budget concerns to the Session for approval.

11. Inform and instruct the congregation on all matters of worship

·          Communicate with members and non-members regarding worship opportunities.

·          Educate worship leaders and congregational members on all aspects of worship as they are conducted.

·          Receive feedback from congregational members regarding their worship experiences.

·          Be available to answer questions from other volunteers for each worship service experience.

Members of and assistants to the Worship Committee:

·          3 - 4 Elders (2006: Pamela Quin, Harriet Vander Meer, Cynthia Bush)

·          Minister - participating but not voting member

·          Director of Music - participating but not voting member

·          Congregational members who attend and have voting privileges

·          The Sanctuary Guild: 8 congregational members who assist in sanctuary / worship needs

·          1 member who plans, prepares and provides floral arrangements in the sanctuary

·          2 members who prepare the communion elements

·          1 member who maintains the tuning of the church’s pianos and harpsichord.

Note: The Worship Committee fulfills its responsibilities with the help of those

dedicated congregational members who faithfully serve our congregation weekly.

Meetings:

The entire committee typically meets the third Monday evening of the month. Individuals and subcommittees meet together or work independently as needed.