Worship Block or Song/Hymn Sandwich?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by martyn burt on 21 November 2008 at 2:22pm

I will start off with my own church. A C of E church (but VERY low candle!) with charismatic tendencies.

AM services usually song sandwich more often like:

Opening song
Welcome/activity
Several songs (usually 3) and children leave during
Reading
Possibly song or 2
Talk
Possibly song or 2 depending on theme

Evening services usually the vineyard model:

Sung worship (4 or 5 songs, perhaps 20 minutes or so)
Reading
Talk
Ministry time with sung worship (perhaps another 20 minutes or so)

For special events we start with a period of sung worship, perhaps even up to 30 minutes.

Even though we are C of E, liturgy is minimal. Perhaps just the eucharistic prayer for the magic bits in communion. Otherwise quite limited (unless the bishop is coming!)

Service format is decided by the service leader although the music group leader (usually) choses all music and links them together.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julia Chantrell on 21 November 2008 at 3:01pm

Pretty the same for us in the Contemporary - Traditional tends to be typical Anglican hymn sandwich.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Daniel Read on 21 November 2008 at 6:59pm

Just to fill in the gaps left by Julia.... for our "contemporary service" our structure was pretty much dictated by the vicar (bit of a control freak - in the nicest possible way!).... typically a block of four at the beginning, and then sort of a hymn sandwich structure after.

In terms of liturgy we are fairly light for a CofE - and what liturgy we use is projected on the screen, so there's no book-fumbling.

The only real exception is when we have a baptism in the morning service - then it's a strict hymn sandwich structure to fit all the elements of the baptism liturgy in! But, actually, it's quite a refreshing change when we do that!

We do have a trad. service, as described above!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Viv Schreibke on 21 November 2008 at 5:31pm

Our church is a also C of E but very evangelical.

Our 9.15 service is the typical C of E liturgy hymn sandwich, but with maybe an opening block of "choruses"!!!!

Our 10.30 is normally:-
opening one of two all age songs
kids talk
block of worship (15 mins ish)
reading
sermon
prayers
closing song

Again liturgy is only really used for Communion but our vicar normally closes with a prayer from some kind of C of E service book (but a pretty modern kind)

Our 6.30 service
welcome
notices
opening block of worship (20 - 30 mins)
reading
sermon
prayers
closing couple of songs

Sometimes when prayer ministry is offered there may be an additional block of worship somewhere in the service.

Service format isn't set in stone but generally unless the leader/preacher or worship leader has specific ideas of anything different we tend to stick to the above - who dictated them? Not entirely sure, but it does work.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kev Plant on 21 November 2008 at 6:42pm

Hi, We are more block than sandwich! Usually about 30-40 minutes at the beginning of the meeting, occasionally a song at the end, occasionally play during the talky bit (I think its called a preach!) and sometimes can go longe, the other week we played for 50 odd mins at the beginning? In the eves it is generally a bit longer and sometimes the whole meeting is music.
blessings

Kev

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Suz on 22 November 2008 at 9:52pm

We have 35 mins of 'song' followed by 45 mins of 'word' and perhaps a song at the end. The song at the end is dependent on who is co-ordinating the meeting, and its the elders who have decided they want 30 mins of 'song' at the beginning.

Suz

▶ Reply to This