Two years ago our elders established a worship committee. Its purpose was to plan Sunday morning worship services once a month for an eight-month period. Each service was to include Communion and to use a worship tradition different than our own.

One of the elders headed the worship committee, and he asked two women and two men of differing ages and backgrounds to assist him. All said yes, and were eager to begin.

At the first meeting, specific guidelines were given: the church calendar would be used for topic ideas; we'd alternate monthly between formal and lighter liturgies; and to some degree, any liturgy we copied would be adapted to fit the needs, limitations, and doctrinal framework of the fellowship. Worship was defined as a response to God, resulting in service to people. After two hours, the first Sunday was arranged. With a bit of legwork by everyone, such as talking with the musicians and bulletin typists, everything would be fully ready.

A lengthy bulletin announcement and pulpit ...