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lead in worship
At Re:imago, we believe that all are capable and called to participate in leading worship. Worship is not something to be seen, but something in which we are all called to participate. By taking leadership roles in worship, we each develop a more profound sense of the meaning of each element in worship, find a more meaningful impact in our regular, daily lives and experience a deeper connection to our community.
Listed here you will find the different elements in each of our worship services along with a description of why that element is important and what kind of experience you need to be able to lead it. Once you are ready to volunteer to lead a particular part of worship, use the SignUp button to choose the Sunday that you would like to lead in worship. We encourage you to start with an element that you feel comfortable with but to eventually try leading a variety of elements. One day you might even write your own version of a particular element to share with our community and that will be amazing as well! All ages are invited to participate! (yes, this means children of all ages will be leading in worship!)
Welcome & Opportunities for Service + intro Passing of the Peace
During this time, you will welcome all those gathered to worship together today. We start our time together with this act of hospitality, sharing in the joy of being together to find the care of our Loving Creator.
This brief and joyous greeting will be followed by any announcements that pertain to our community and the relaying of information related to opportunities to find life together. If you are leading in worship in this way, you will be given the announcements prior to Sunday so that you can understand what you are being asked to relate.
Finally, we move from this moment of gathering and welcome to a time of “passing the peace,” a space where we practice speaking the shalom (peace) of Christ to one another. We do this by standing and greeting one another, saying, “The peace of Christ be with you.” When this is said to us, we respond by saying, “And also with you.”
This activity is great for those who are excited about the life of our community and want to warmly welcome all who have gathered.
Call to Worship Litany
Our call to worship litany is a responsive reading that allows us to prepare our hearts for the worship service to follow. Leaders will read the light print of the litany and will read the bold print alongside the gathered community. When you volunteer for this opportunity, you will use the assigned litany for that Sunday which can be found here.
Prayers of Thanksgiving Litany
Our prayers of thanksgiving litany is a responsive reading that allows us to mindfully reflect on the role that God is playing in our lives. Leaders will read the light print of the litany and will read the bold print alongside the gathered community. Additionally, this litany will provide space (indicated by ellipses) for silence in which participants can respond to the guided moment of prayer for a particular kind of thanksgiving. When you volunteer for this opportunity, you will use the assigned litany for that Sunday which can be found here.
Chiming of the Hour and Lighting the Christ Candle
Our time of greeting is brought to a close by chiming a singing bowl and lighting the Christ candle. The bowl is rung 10 times to indicate the 10 o’clock hour of our worship service. This leadership opportunity is perfect for some who prefer not to speak but can still take an active role in worship. This is also a great activity for parents to undertake with their children. The mallet for striking the bowl and the lighter will both be on the front table.
Reading from the Poets
The first reading of our worship service is typically from the Psalms, though it may be from another piece of ancient poetic scripture. You can find the reading for the Sunday for which you are volunteering here. At the conclusion of your reading, you will be asked to say, “This is the word of the Lord,” to which the congregation will respond, “Thanks be to God.” This activity is a good choice for anyone who can read aloud. Scriptures for each week can be found here.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures
The second reading of our worship service is typically from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). This reading guides us more deeply into the history of God’s movement among God’s people. You can find the reading for the Sunday for which you are volunteering here. At the conclusion of your reading, you will be asked to say, “This is the word of the Lord,” to which the congregation will respond, “Thanks be to God.” This activity is a good choice for anyone who can read aloud. Scriptures for each week can be found here​.
Prayers of Adoration and Confession Litany
Our prayers of adoration and confession litany is a responsive reading that allows us to remember in distinct ways our chief confession - that God is God and we are not. We begin by offering adoration to God and expressing our love for the One Who Loves Us. By holding space for confession, we unburden our hearts in order to learn new and deeper truths from our Creator. Leaders will read the light print of the litany and will read the bold print alongside the gathered community. Additionally, this litany will provide space (indicated by ellipses) for silence in which participants can respond to the guided moment of prayer for a particular kind of confession. When you volunteer for this opportunity, you will use the assigned litany for that Sunday which can be found here.
Worship through Art
This section of our time together is an opportunity to reflect on the work and nature of God through artistic expression. In many communities, this is referred to as “Special Music,” but we believe that others have giftedness that may not be musical. Perhaps you write poetry, have a painting that you would like to discuss with the congregation, or have a dramatic reading to share. This is the space for your leadership in song, word, and performance.
Prayers of Intercession and Commitment Litany
Our prayers of intercession and commitment litany is a responsive reading that allows us to mindfully reflect on what God has revealed to us in worship today, intercede on behalf of others, and to commit in prayer to a deeper relationship with God. Leaders will read the light print of the litany and will read the bold print alongside the gathered community. Additionally, this litany will provide space (indicated by ellipses) for silence in which participants can respond to the guided moment of prayer for a particular kind of intercession. When you volunteer for this opportunity, you will use the assigned litany for that Sunday which can be found here.
Reading from the Epistles
The third reading of our worship service is typically from the Epistles (New Testament writings). You can find the reading for the Sunday for which you are volunteering here. At the conclusion of your reading, you will be asked to say, “This is the word of the Lord,” to which the congregation will respond, “Thanks be to God.” This activity is a good choice for anyone who can read aloud. Scriptures for each week can be found here​.
Reading from the Gospels
The final reading of our worship service is typically from the Gospels. You can find the reading for the Sunday for which you are volunteering here. At the conclusion of your reading, you will be asked to say, “This is the word of the Lord,” to which the congregation will respond, “Thanks be to God.” This activity is a good choice for anyone who can read aloud. Scriptures for each week can be found here​.
Invitation to Generosity
Giving back to God’s community has been a part of the history of God’s people since the earliest days. When we learn to give, we are learning to rely more fully on God to attend to our needs. Each week, the leader of this part of our service will invite others to give generously to what God is doing at Re:imago. The person leading this element could say, “This is the portion of our worship service where we give back to God a portion of what God has so generously blessed us with. You may give in person or online to what God is doing through our faith fellowship.”
expanded opportunities
Media (aka Slides, Website, Video)
Have a knack for technology? Have strong opinions on PowerPoint vs. Keynote? We’ve got a place for you. We need volunteers who are able and willing to help create and run our Sunday slideshows! We also would welcome volunteers who understand website maintenance and digital volunteer coordination. If you can lend your gifts in these ways, please email info@reimago.org so we can start the conversation about your leadership in this way.