OFFERING CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

In the fall of 1996, Rev. Rick Haverly began his ministry among us.  One of his charges was to help us provide a contemporary worship service.  In preparation, he attended a workshop with Dr. Robert Webber, an expert in Christian worship, both its history and its future trends.  Based on what Rick learned, we began Evening Praise at 6:00PM Sundays using weekly communion and a blessing by anointing.  Music was provided by our Jubilation Folk Choir, directed by Crystal Sullivan.  Later that year, Rick, with Gordon Ellis, attended a conference at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, where their image of contemporary worship was refined.  Soon drama skits were included in worship, as well as video clips from movies and TV shows.  Jason Miceli was hired as our Drama and Technology Coordinator.  In 1998, when our music leadership changed, Steve Gilewski was hired and a band formed to offer contemporary Christian music.  Though the band struggled for a time, Steve persevered until the core of what we now know as Branches took shape.  Meanwhile, the service was re-named T.G.I. Sunday: Contemporary Worship.  When Steve moved to NYC in 2003, Chip Hulten and Crystal Sullivan replaced him.  They have helped Branches become even bigger and better, with about 30 people now participating.  Last spring, Jay Miceli left his position, and Steve DeVito was hired to be our Technology Coordinator, taking us to new technological heights.  Over the years, attendance has increased steadily and contemporary worship has become an integral part of our worship life.  Churches from all over come here to learn from us.  Last Sunday, we took a bold new step.  We “mainlined” contemporary worship, introducing a second contemporary service at 11:00AM on Sundays.  Our combined attendance at our two contemporary services last Sunday was well over 400 people.