Now that the Family Liturgy is underway I have launched a new liturgical task force . I'm calling it the "Choral Eucharist Study Group." My hope is to get a better understanding of our liturgical intention for the 10:45 AM worship service.

I've asked Andy Bluhm to lead the study group, with staff supported from Stacy Lynskey.

Over the past year we have focused on developing a liturgy to meet the needs of young families. We listened very closely to what families said they need. And we are off to good start. We have between 330 and 400 people at our new 9:15 Family Service for the past four weeks.

We anticipated that once the new family liturgy got started we would a a relocation of congregants from both the 8:00 AM and the 10:45 services. We have also seen an overall increase of about 100 people in our average Sunday attendance. Clearly we are meeting a need.

We have necessarily put a lot of focus on the new liturgy. It is now time to make sure that the 10:45 liturgy continues to be supported with sufficient resources to allow it to continue to thrive. But this raises a question. We know the 10:45 liturgy is a traditional, but what kind of traditional liturgy is it?

Over the past year I have identified at least two competing liturgical intentions among the people who attend the 10:45 AM service. I'm not sure which one we should make our goal in the development of that liturgy.

Option 1:

Make 10:45 AM a congregational-centered, choir-supported hymn service. This is a vital and alive congregation that loves to sing. A somewhat casual but dedicated volunteer choir practices weekly to support congregational singing. They also prepare a modest offertory anthem. Musical leadership comes from an Organist, who also leads the choir. The quality of music is good, but familiar and very singable.

The hymn selection comes from the Top 40 Greatest Hits -- the hymns people love to sing. ("I just love, 'Lift High the Cross.'")

Option 2:

Make 10:45 AM a choir-centered, congregational-support service. This is a vital and alive congregation that loves to listen to great music. It is led by a very disciplined and highly committed choir. Membership in the choir is by audition. Because of the difficulty of the music, there are paid section leaders. Music leadership comes from a Choral Master who is supported by an Organist/Pianist. The quality of the music is outstanding. Musicians value the depth of the repertoire. The old, worn out hymns that a lot of people like to sing don't get much play. ("If I have to hear, 'Lift High the Cross,' one more time I think I'm going to rip my eyes out.")

"Traditional Worship" in our church is well represented by both options. As a parish we can excel with either choice. The question is, which choice?

I am hoping the Choral Eucharist Study Group will review the options, survey the congregation, assess our resources and our willingness to commit to one or the other. Once we know the goal, we will achieve it.