Worship and Arts

Our Worship and Arts Ministry leads our church in expressing praise to God using various mediums, forms and elements of worship. Worship is a central act of the body of Christ and we seek to utilize a variety of gifts, skills and talents in this vital ministry.  Below are the various service areas which help us accomplish this goal (for more information or to be directed to a ministry area coordinator regarding any of the worship and arts ministries please contact Melissa Cargile, Director of Worship and Arts, at 386-677-3581, ext. 318 or mcargile@firstunited).

Worship Teams and Bands

Tuesday evenings: 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the sanctuary

  Vocal team and band members collectively use their talents to lead in worship at our 9:00 am contemporary service.  Teams are on a weekly rotation with some members serving one Sunday a month and others serving multiple Sundays a month. Appointments to audition or discuss joining can be made by calling or emailing Melissa Cargile at the above contact information. 

Chancel Choir

Wednesday evenings: 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the sanctuary

Chancel choir members use their love of singing to lead in worship at our 11:00 am traditional service and provides leadership from a wide variety of choral literature. The choir also provides seasonal music. There are no audition requirements, we only ask that participants have a love for singing praise to God.

Handbell Choir

Wednesday evenings: 5:30 to 6:15 pm in the multi-purpose room (during WT)

The handbell choir rings once a month at both worship services from September until June.  No prior experience is needed and reading music is not necessary.  All that is required is the ability to count and keep a beat.  No auditions required.

Children's music

6:30 to 7:30 pm in Room 10 for pre-K and Kindergarten

Our children's music programs include singing, moving and playing instruments. In the fall children sing in church once a month and prepare seasonal materials for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In the spring the older children do a musical production and the younger children prepare music to sing each month and for special occasions. All children are welcome, no auditions required. Volunteers are also needed. No music experience is required, just a love for children.

Youth band

Sunday evenings: 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the multi-purpose room

 The youth band, "Fifth Sunday" leads in worship each fifth Sunday at our 9 am worship service.  This band has also provided music for special events including Eggstravaganza and FCA at some of the local schools. Future opportunities include leading worship at Sunday night youth group and possibly Sunday morning children's church.  No auditions are required, just bring your instrument or voice and come to practice.

Drama

First United is in the process of rebuilding our drama ministry. Actors, directors, writers and set builders are all needed to bring this ministry to life. Prior experience is a plus, but is not necessary.  Apointments to talk about involvement or to audition can be made.

Technical Arts

Our Technical Arts team is the group responsible for helping us hear, see and experience worship in a variety of multi-media formats. These folks control the sound and lighting boards, run the computer and projectors and operate the cameras each and every Sunday for both services.  This is a very important and vital ministry and many more hands are needed.  Previous experience is a plus, but is not necessary and training is provided.

Visual Arts Design Team

The Visual Arts Design Team enhances our worship services by using their special skills and creative abilities to decorate the sanctuary and altar table. All throughout the year their gifts are evident but their creativity and originality really shine during seasonal events and special sermon series. This team is in need of more volunteers who have special skills in creative and visionary design.

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild enhances and supports the worship services by caring for the chancel. This team organizes and schedules flowers, dusts and polishes anything that is brass and they fill the oil candles when needed - which is every week. This team is also responsible for making, caring for and organizing the Chrismons which decorate our tree, the centerpiece of our Advent and Christmas decorations.

Communion Stewards

Communion Stewards prepare the elements for the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. Communion is taken each week at the 9 am service and the first Sunday of each month at the 11 am service. As the team grows stewards will serve on a rotational basis each month.