Worship & Music

Preparing for Worship.
Serving Together.

Worship involves many people long before the congregation gathers on Sunday morning. Some lead from the front. Some make music. Others work quietly behind the scenes. Together, they help make worship at Zion possible.

Behind Every Service

Many Roles. One Purpose.

Worship & Music brings together the people who plan, prepare and serve so that the congregation can gather for worship each week.

The ministry helps coordinate worship leaders, assigns and trains Assisting Ministers, oversees altar care and works with those responsible for the music of each service.

Some responsibilities happen during worship and are easy to see. Others take place during the week or before anyone arrives on Sunday morning. Each is part of the shared work of worship.

Serving in Worship

Helping Worship Come Together

Worship at Zion depends on people willing to take on different responsibilities. Worship & Music helps make sure those roles are filled and that people have the preparation they need to serve with confidence.

Assisting Ministers

Assisting Ministers help lead portions of the liturgy and support the congregation's worship. Worship & Music coordinates scheduling and provides training and guidance for those who serve in this role.

Altar Care

Preparing for worship includes care of the altar and the details needed for services and Holy Communion. Much of this work happens quietly before the congregation ever enters the sanctuary.

Worship Leadership

The ministry helps coordinate and schedule ministers who lead worship, helping provide continuity from week to week and throughout the church year.

Music in Worship

Music That Serves the Worship

At Zion, music isn't simply added to the service. It is planned as part of the worship itself.

The pastor, organist and Music Committee collaborate in preparing the music for each service. Together they consider congregational hymns, choir anthems, special music and other musical elements that support the day's worship.

The music changes with the seasons of the church year and with the character of each service. Congregational hymns, many drawn from the familiar green Lutheran Book of Worship, give the congregation a voice in worship, while anthems and special music offer other ways for music to proclaim, reflect and respond.

The Choir

Adding Our Voices

Zion's choir continues a musical tradition that has been part of congregational life for generations.

The choir prepares anthems for worship during much of the year, helping lead the congregation through music that complements the service and the season.

Choir is also a ministry of participation. Voices don't have to be professional voices. What matters is a willingness to sing, learn and contribute as part of the group.

Special Music

Sharing Musical Gifts

Not all of Zion's music comes from the choir. Soloists, instrumentalists and other musicians can bring special music to worship throughout the year.

These musical offerings provide opportunities for people to share their gifts while adding variety and depth to worship, particularly during special services and seasons of the church year.

Singing isn't the only way to contribute musically. Different instruments, voices and combinations of musicians can all find a place in worship.

A Musical Tradition

Music Across Generations

Music has filled Zion's sanctuary for generations. Through the years, Zion's musical life has included adult and children's choirs, soloists, organists, assistant organists and other musicians who shared their gifts in worship.

That history even connects Zion with one of Glen Rock's best-known musicians. Composer and bandmaster Roland F. Seitz once played Zion's pipe organ. Today, music continues to be part of the congregation's worship and its life together.

There's a Place to Serve

Interested in Being Part of Worship?

You don't have to arrive already knowing what to do.

People serving as Assisting Ministers receive training and guidance. Those interested in altar care can learn the work alongside people already familiar with it. If music is your gift, there are opportunities through choir and special music.

Some people enjoy serving where everyone can see them. Others would rather help quietly behind the scenes. Worship needs both.

Bring the gifts you have. We'll help you find a way to use them.