Introduction
As a lay-led ministry, we rely on members, friends and others to volunteer to lead a spiritual worship service every Sunday from September through May. These guidelines are intended to assist you in preparing and leading a meaningful worship service.
 
This guide describes components of the BSUUF worship service that members and friends have grown to expect and love.  Be sure to download the templates for the worship program (including one that is annotated with extra tips on what to do during the service). The Worship Committee welcomes feedback about your lay leadership experience and this worship service guide.

Pre-Sunday Preparation
Planning your worship service can begin weeks or even months before the service. But a month before your service is a good target to have preparation under way.

1) Theme - Spend time identifying and focusing on the theme of your service. As soon as you have a title and short description of your service/sermon, notify the Worship Committee so they can notify the newsletter/website editor and the preceding week's presenter, or notify those people yourself. Remember that the newsletter attempts to give a tentative service topic for each Sunday of the upcoming month. Don't worry if you're still a little tentative; you are not bound to a tentative topic or title at this time.

2) Assistance - Determine if you would like assistance planning and presenting the Sunday Service. A member of the Worship Committee is assigned as your liaison, and will help or advise you as much as you wish, including helping you put on the service. Of course, you may select a co-presenter who is not a member of the Worship Committee if you wish.

The Welcoming Committee is responsible for name tags, sign-in sheets, literature and greeting duties. They also organize the potluck for the first Sunday of each month. They schedule greeters to welcome people to church, handing out name tags, and signing in visitors. This is not something you need to do.

3) Gather Materials - With a general plan in mind, locate readings, meditations, music, a sermon, and other elements that you feel will enrich your theme. Here are some resources to assist you: BSUUF lending library – located in a small office at the top of the back stairs. It includes tapes of sermons, UUA books, journals, inspirational readings.

·      BSUUF website: http://www.bigskyuu.org -- has an archive of past services from 2006 and sermons written or given by our lay leaders, and links to other resources.

·      UUA website -- http://www.uua.org/ -- has a host of material intended for lay leaders:

·      http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/ (a resource library, amazing search function for sermons, etc.)

·      Discuss ideas w/ members of worship committee or other BSUUF members.

·      BSUUF is a member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) which has numerous materials useful to lay leaders. If you're interested in accessing this password-protected site, send an email to Bill Kronhlom with your request.

4) Music for the Service – Please discuss all music selections and ideas with Ginny Niccolucci first.  A separate advisory is posted on the website with guidance on music. In brief, however, begin by choosing two hymns that fit with your theme.  They do not have to be from the hymn book, but that should be your first choice for reference.