For Your Planning Team

Planning for This Service

The second service of a series picks up the level of energy where the previous one left off, and directs it where it needs to go through this service to the one to follow.

This service begins with a quick, confident act of recognition of all persons who have started a connection with the congregation or its ministries during the past year. Last week focused primarily on outreach ministries to people who are different from the dominant culture and socio-economic location of people in your congregation. This week focuses on people who are finding a home among you recently primarily in worship, Christian formation ministries, and other ministries of the church. Some folks you recognized last week may be included in this week’s recognition as well.

Once again, contact everyone who has had a contact with worship or other ministries of your church during the past year. Identify who has the strongest relationship with them in your congregation, and where possible have those persons make a personal invitation to worship this week, noting they’ll be welcomed, and there will be a reception or dinner after church they’re especially invited to share.

Somewhere in the sermon, in announcement slides, or via social media, make the connection that the Spirit is always working to send Christians out to everyone, everywhere, and to bring people into the fellowship of the church from everywhere. That is the link between last week and this, and it aptly describes the heart of the work of the Spirit in the salvation of the world. However you make this connection, make it more than an observation or an explanation. Make it compelling, to the point, and powerful.