Worship in the Unseen 

by Apple Casupanan

 

On a ride to our worship tech run one Saturday morning, my heart shifted from excitement to worry. I was excited to be with fellow worship ministers for our second onsite service, yet anxious to stand as a first-time video director alongside our tech team.

WT2

It was a first time for me to be part of the tech team. I have never committed nor seen myself serve in this area because I knew I was not knowledgeable and equipped enough.

Upon entering the halls, the music team was halfway their praise and worship rehearsal. They sounded great. Serious eyes stuck on the music sheets before them, aiming to hit every note with precision. The singers belted out the melody with much heart, and the Holy Spirit just covered the spacious hall
.

“The connections were crucial.
The equipment, fragile.
Every part of the assembly mattered.”

On the upper balcony, I watched the youthful tech team as they carefully set up the livestreaming equipment. There were a number of cables running across the floor.

The connections were crucial. The equipment, fragile. Every part of the assembly mattered. 

 

When the setup was done, each member assumed their assigned post. One was running through the power point slides, another was reviewing the script, and another was mentoring the video operator. 

 

Was the preparation easy? Not at all. 

 

At some point, the equipment malfunctioned. The connections loosened. Some program features had to be adjusted. The tech run time had to be extended.

 

Did the team grumble? No.

 

Did the they give up? No.

 

In fact, I saw them rise above the circumstance with calmness and joy; attitudes I have somehow lost hold of, earlier that day. 

On that rehearsal day, at the balcony where the tech team served, most times unseen, I sensed the spirit of true worship. 

WT1

“Worship came by trusting God in the midst of the inconveniences and challenges.”

Worship came by trusting God in the midst of the inconveniences and challenges. It came by listening and working with one another in kindness, gentleness, grace, and patience. It came by going the extra mile to teach a teammate and self-learn through a Youtube tutorial. Worship came by doing everything possible to produce an excellent output with an excellent heart.

 

This is the kind of worship we pray for our CCBCers to have, especially as we face a continuing tough season of unforeseen changes, tests, and trials.

 

We pray that every CCBCer will develop the kind of worship that loves God with the best of our hearts, minds, and bodies, even when unseen by the world

 

And so, we encourage you to stay faithful in journeying with the Worship Ministry in the remaining months of this year. The team shall continue its pursuit towards Caring for our Ministers, Promoting Growth Venues, Sustaining the improved system amongst our workers/volunteers, and Improving our Worship Facilities/Equipment.

 

Praise Items

CARE 

– Theme Orientations and Devotions

 

EQUIP

– Worship Warfare Workshop for song leaders 

– Regular mentoring/training for Instrumentalists

 

WORSHIP ENGAGEMENT

– CCBC Stories continue to feature God’s goodness and faithfulness

– CCBC Holy Week Specials created a safe space among CCBCers through stories of redemption and restoration

– Involvement of Fellowship groups in worship services

– Involvement of CCBCers from other countries/regions in our online worship services

– first onsite services with an onsite livestream tech team

 

HIRE RETAINERS

– Official hiring of Graphics Editor (Pam Demetillo) and Video Editor (Matthew Velasquez) for our weekly online worship services 

 

IMPROVE FACILITIES

– purchase more lights for our stage

– purchase added livestreaming equipment

– a newly refurbished worship hall

– a maximized CCBC studio for recordings

 

Prayer Items

  • Weekly Onsite Worship Services: Pray for the availability of our ministers and for the protection of all CCBCers attending.

  • 2 Worship-themed Workshops for Music Ministers: Pray for the facilitators and the hearts of our ministers to embrace re-learning and growing more in their worship of God.

  • Skill-based Workshops for Worship and Song Leaders: Pray for the equipping of all our leaders in this area.

  • Christmas production: Pray for all the preparations that Jesus Christ will remain to be its central theme.

  • Worship Ministers’ Retreat: Pray for an opportunity to rest and revel in God’s love as a team.