Worshiping During Covid
It’s been a crazy time. I’m sure you’ve heard so many people say that, but the truth still remains. A lot has changed, and this new (temporary) normal way of life is so unexpected, some of us were not ready. I mean, how could we be?
As a member of the worship team, I never imagined a world or time in which I wouldn’t be at the church on a regular basis. Before COVID started emerging, playing guitar for Sunday was no less than a ten hour commitment of time from my week: two hour Thursday rehearsal, showing up Sunday morning at 7 a.m. and leaving around 2 p.m., and don’t forget the hour or so separate from this to practice and plan for the songs!
While on the surface that sounds like a lot of work especially for those who were scheduled 2, 3, or 4 times a month. It’s almost like a part time job! But for most of us, myself included, I needed that! I wanted to be a part of the music. I wanted to serve. I wanted to be with my friends on the worship team. I really wanted to worship! That’s why I kept coming back to serve when I was scheduled or filling in when someone had to cancel at the last minute and spend my time serving rather than sleeping in or something else.
And then it was gone. No rehearsal. No Sunday morning donuts. No live-sounds and worship. No more lugging gear and equipment to the church. Nothing.
I remember early on it was almost a relief in a way. Most of the music for the first two weeks was handled by just a few people. And then we went fully online and only one or two people contributed to the music. I waited patiently for a few weeks finding other things to do with my time.
And then it changed again.
We were planning to have more musicians record from home both audio and video that would be part of the online worship. I was more than excited. I felt like I had a mission and new purpose, and I wanted to bring something to the worship experience that was inspiring and excellent.
I’m a firm believer in practicing and performing well so that my worship follows Colossians 3:23:
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
I have the experience, yes, but that doesn’t mean I should rest on my laurels and just coast by when I pick up the guitar for worship. Recording music meant I was once again contributing and I wanted it to be good.
It brought back the sense of community because I coordinated with the leaders and the editors and the other team members when my recording was ready. We celebrated each other’s performance and how well the music and video came together. It was so wonderful.
The team continued to grow and learn, and I tried to out-do myself every week. A good recording brought me joy and I hoped that I was helping those who were watching the live service feel as inspired as I did. I enjoyed listening to our handiwork with my roommates every Sunday morning.
Now, we’re shifting again, but it’s a happy medium to what we were doing pre-COVID and what we had been doing recently. We’re recording a live performance with high-quality audio capture while our video team works their magic. Other churches in our area have been doing worship similar to that, and it’s exciting to come together once again.
We just had our first Thursday recording session which should go live soon and Rob Couture who was playing acoustic guitar said it best:
“I really needed this.”
I really felt that. I need to worship.
Paul gave a call to the Romans church that we should follow. He told them to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice:
“And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1
Myself and few others who participate regularly in the music for the service get to enjoy a regular embrace of God’s presence. We call out in our songs to the Lord. It’s a special thing!
We also spent some time after recording talking about what’s been going on in our lives. Just as much as the worship team is a service team, we’re also friends. We share with each other. We support each other. We celebrate with each other. We care about each other. We live out God’s design for community as found in Hebrews 10:24-25:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
I can’t wait for the time to come when we can gather again. I enjoy recording and challenging myself to play well so that my offering to the Lord is the best I can give. I definitely enjoy recording on stage with my “family” who I’ve missed so much.
Consider taking the time this week to not just listen to, but to worship with a song to our Father. I promise that if you really worship wholeheartedly, you will feel something. God bless!
JH