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Spotlight on Ministry: Worship

Each month during 2006, we shined the spotlight on one of the vital ministries and missions of First Presbyterian Church. We hope this helps you get a clearer picture of what the church does and - if you are ready to volunteer - how you can help.

by Shawn Dooley
Prayer Worship is an essential ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma. Our main worship times are at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings. These services are to provide a variety of comfortable ways to learn about, talk to, and praise God.
Many of the decisions regarding worship come out of the Worship Commission. The goal of the commission is to "provide a vibrant, relevant, inclusive and interactive worship opportunities through a variety of experience and expression, as we learn to love and praise God with all our heart, soul and mind." (FPC's Vision-goal for Worship)
We attempt to provide quality music, and messages that assure us of God's love and challenge us to grow as Christians. Our worship ministry requires the involvement of many staff and volunteers, including ushers, greeters, coffee providers, decorators, audio-visual experts, musicians and singers, lay readers, and others.

Until this year, we had one worship service. In January, we took the risk and added a contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings. Recently, we began a once-a-month Sunday evening service, called “Fourth at First.” We feel that we have made great progress this year in providing a variety of opportunities to worship, with a contemporary service, a traditional service, and a Fourth at First Vespers service.

Music is an important part of our worship. We have three music groups: the Choir, "Bells of Joy" bell choir, and a contemporary Praise Band. These groups work hard to prepare songs each week in order to make a joyful noise to the Lord on Sundays. All this is enhanced by our audio-visual team, which prepares and runs slides on the big screens and operates the sound board during services.

Contemporary Celebration Service Sundays at 9:00 AM	Classic Celebration Service Sundays at 10:30 AM
We worship with sing-able, contemporary praise music. Don’t worry about looking “churchy.” Come early for coffee.	Worship with our own blend of musical styles, drawn mostly from traditional worship.

Both services feature biblical messages that are personal and relevant to everyday life. Our professionally-staffed Nursery and kid-friendly Sunday School are provided both hours. We Worship Together Sundays and meet in Small Groups throughout the week (VIEW VIDEO)

Who is Involved:
The elder and Session liaison for the Worship Commission is Shawn Dooley. Others involved in worship leadership are: Patty Graham (Choir Director), Dean DiLello (Contemporary Music Leader), Doug Manson (Contemporary Music Assistant), Carol Campbell (Bell Choir Director), and, of course, Pastor Dave Weidlich. Other commission members include: Jo Anne Richards, Carol Goodrich, Bill Linstrom, Curt Newsom, Candy Donnelly, and Donna Brumbaugh. The audio-visual team is led by David Coe, and includes Don White, Roger Johnson, Curt Newsom, Loren Dooley, Matt Larrabure, Doug Laslo, Ken Nugent, Adam Camacho, and Chris Olsen. We are grateful for all of our volunteers - musicians, singers, greeters, ushers, set-up people and planners.

Volunteers Needed: We welcome help in all areas of worship planning and leadership. We are especially in need of volunteers to usher and greet at the 10:30 services. Those who would like to sing are always welcome in the choir, which rehearses at 7:30 PM on Wednesdays.

Contact: If you would like more information or would like to get involved, please contact any of those named above or Shawn Dooley.

Call the church office: 762-8269 or email fpcpetaluma@sbcglobal.net

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."
- Matthew 22:37-38

Vision-Goal: We will provide vibrant, relevant, inclusive and interactive worship opportunities through a variety of experience and expression, as we learn to love and praise God with all our heart, soul and mind.