New Worship Opportunities
Often we talk about how things slow down in the summer here at Schweitzer. While the daily and weekly ministries slow slightly there is always a flurry of activity among all the different ministries. Along with the regular weekly activities of the church, summer adds the excitement of special children's ministries including VBS. This summer has added much planning for new ministries in the fall as well. This fall we'll see two exciting new worship ministries starting. Both start seven weeks from this weekend on August 24th.
Liz Craig and Zak Lampert have been dreaming for quite some time now about changing and expanding the type of worship we offer for children during 9:45 Sunday School. Worship has always been an important part of the Sunday School rotation, but this fall we're going to be taking it to a new level with the addition of a band. The band will lead worship in the gym for two different age groups of children every Sunday.
Our college ministry has been meeting throughout the summer and led worship several times at Missouri State in the spring. Starting this fall we'll be opening a second-site at MSU offering a fifth worship experience designed specifically for college students and college-aged young adults every Sunday night. That means that in August the Schweitzer community will be worshiping God at five different times, on Saturday nights at 5:30, Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00, and Sunday nights at 9:00 in the Plaster Student Union on the Missouri State campus.
The worship experience at MSU will be similar to the modern worship we currently offer with a few minor changes. I'll be the pastor leading most of the services, but Bob, Lori, and Jim will occasionally preach at MSU. These experiences will also incorporate more interactive elements including art and worship stations that many of you have seen in worship over the past few years.
This is a new approach to campus ministry. My favorite part is that rather than starting a new ministry at Missouri State we're able to start a new offering as part of the local church. Our goal is that our ministry connects relationally to students with all the depth, opportunity, and community that we experience at Schweitzer. The students worshipping with us at MSU will be invited to participate and grow in all the service opportunities, leadership development, and small group offerings we have as a church.
It's going to be an exciting fall as these two new worship opportunities expand how we connect with people of all ages and worship God as a congregation.
In Christ, Kerner