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Music Matters

July 2008
When Does the Worship Service Begin?

How many of us have sat in a congregation, listening to the organist or pianist play the prelude—often while people are chattering away—and later, after the ministers have entered, heard the welcome begin with the words “Let’s begin our worship now with….”?

When does the worship begin? Musicians and worship leaders must  work together to create language that helps the congregation understand the answer to this question. 

Here are several suggestions for helping the congregation to begin worship at certain points in our time in the church building:

  • Insert a comment in the bulletin that says “Our worship begins when the music begins. Please use this time for prayer and meditation.”
  • Make congregational announcements before the prelude begins. This allows the one making the announcements to encourage the congregation to enter into worship.
  • Have those involved in the service take their places at the beginning of the prelude time, modeling an attitude of worship.
  • Have the words following the prelude be “Let us continue our worship with…”

    • The role of the musicians is important as well. They should see the prelude as an important part of the worship experience—not just background for congregational conversation.  They can help by:

  • Making sure their music is in place 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the prelude so that they are not madly dashing to the bench and scrambling for music.
  • Selecting music that is appropriate to the theme of the worship.
  • Planning prelude music that is an appropriate lead-in to the worship element which follows it.
  • Carrying an attitude of worship rather than performance into their playing.

    • We cannot rush into the presence of God and expect to receive the fullness of what God desires to share.  If worship leaders, including musicians, plan and play an effective prelude, all worship participants will benefit from being led into the awesome presence of our Creator, ready with open hearts and minds for anything that may occur in the worship elements which follow.

    —Pam Robison


    If you have suggestions or ideas for future columns, please contact:
    Jan Kraybill
    Principal Organist and Director of Music
    Community of Christ Headquarters
    Independence, MO, USA

    Please visit our FAQ page.