Worship Handbook 2023

EMMANUEL WORSHIP

At Emmanuel, our mission is for everyone to know Jesus, grow together and live with purpose.

On behalf of our Lead Pastors, Dr. Nate and Jodi Ruch, I would like to share a bit about who we are as Emmanuel WORSHIP and how important our role as a worship team is to our church. For over the past 50+ years, word and worship have been at the core of what we do at Emmanuel--always pointing people to Jesus in everything we do. From each chord played, camera shot displayed and lighting change made, we do it all to create a hospitable atmosphere for all to come to engage with God on a deeper level. Our purpose isn’t only to sing songs but to lead our church and encourage each person worshiping Jesus wholeheartedly.

At Emmanuel, our mission is “For everyone to know Jesus, grow together and live with purpose.” Our role as Emmanuel WORSHIP is to facilitate a vibrant, life-changing and Spirit-filled weekend experience at all of our locations. We do this by providing an expressive, innovative and engaging worship experience that encourages everyone to go after God and connect with Him on a deeper level. We want to lead people straight to JESUS!

As a member of Emmanuel WORSHIP, we are called to be servant-hearted leaders—ones who lead by example and whose focus is on serving others for the sake of the Gospel. We are a reflection of Christ and with that comes great responsibility. That’s why we care about you more than what you do...it’s about becoming better disciples of Christ by growing closer to Jesus and growing in relationship with one another. We are in this TOGETHER y’all!

Welcome to Emmanuel WORSHIP.

-Pastor JonCarlos Velez Lead Worship Pastor

“For everyone to know Jesus, grow together, and live with purpose.”

Who We Are

Isaiah 43:21 says that we have been created to worship Him. It’s through worship we are transformed. At Emmanuel, when we worship together we are expressing our love to Jesus as we aim to becoming more like Him.

Postured for Praise

We come with our hearts prepared to worship out of a personal overflow of time spent with Jesus, acknowledging Him for who He is.

Humble

We lead with humility. No matter the gifts or talents we have, the focus is always on Christ. We are built off the sacrifices of many, not the talents of a few.

We prepare so we can play skillfully and with a joyful sound as Psalm 33:3 says.

GETTING INVOLVED

How do I join a team?

Attend Growth Track!

Fill out the worship interest form and setup an audition with your worship leader

Talk with your worship leader and schedule a day to shadow

SERVING ON THE TEAM

Preparation

• Take time to seek God and prepare your heart to worship before you arrive. Our public worship is an overflow of our time in private spent with the Lord.

• You’ll find the worship and rehearsal materials posted on Planning Center a few days in advance of the service.

• Learn the songs according to the resources as well as the notes provided on Planning Center.

• We memorize our music. We don’t want music stands or sheet music on the platform as they can become a distraction and an obstacle of your expression of worship to the congregation.

Rehearsals

• Be punctual, ready to rehearse, and in position before all scheduled rehearsals and service times.

• Be prepared to make changes as we lean in together to what the Lord has for the service and be willing to work with all music/vocal directors with a helpful and positive attitude.

• Emmanuel’s standard is excellence, prepare beforehand so sound check and rehearsal times are a success.

Be a thermostat, not a thermometer! Sing with excellence, worship with outward expression, and lead with energy.

1. Support the Worship Leader

a. Pray for the service and congregation

b. Be aware of where the Worship Leader is going at all times

2. Show it!

FLVs Piano

a. Communicate belief through expression

b. Be confident!

c. Don’t just know the song, show the song!

You’re the lead on chord changes and flow moments.

1. Provide tonal rhythm

2. Be intentional in the quiet moments

a. Use voicings to add interest, don’t over play

b. Listen to what other musicians are doing and play together

Keys

You’re the energy of the sonic platform.

1. Transitions

a. Lead transitions and key changes, don’t stop playing unless its intentional.

2. Support moments

a. Be available to play at all times with the band and the speaker

b. Follow the energy of the room

Acoustic Guitar

Alongside piano and drums, you are a percussive leader of the band.

1. Provide tonal rhythm

a. Be intentional with your strumming patterns and know when to mimic drums, piano or do counter-rhythms.

2. Support the moments

a. Provide structure in the down moments

b. Know when to use picking patterns vs. strumming patterns

You are a driving force on lead lines as well as a supporting voice for the band with your chord voicings.

1. Carry the lead lines

2. Fill the space

Electric Guitar Bass

a. Know where you sit in the mix tonally

b. Know when to swell and complement the dynamic

c. Listen in to what keys and piano are doing

You’re the sonic foundation that ties the rhythmic elements to the rest of the band.

1. Provide the movement and momentum of the music

a. Partner with the drummer in creating the pocket and feel

b. Create the foundation for chordal changes

2. Know when and how to play

a. Drive the big moments with 8th notes

b. Drop out in the quiet moments

Drums

You are the dynamic energy leader providing the rhythmic backbone of the worship service

1. Lead dynamically

a. Follow the dynamic feel from worship leader and MD

b. Be aware of the energy the Pastor has and follow their momentum

2. Lead rhythmically

a. Know the feel of the song (part for part)

MD (Music Director)

You are the bridge between the worship leader, production team, and band.

1. Unify the team musically

a. Follow the worship leader and communicate song form to the band

b. Lead the team through transition moments

c. Know the worship leader hand signals and Nashville number system

2. Uphold communication between production and worship team

a. Understand the flow of service, where worship begins, ends, and what things may change

b. Provide clear direction to service producer on any changes

3. Know Ableton

a. Be familiar with how to launch tracks and change clicks

b. Know how to cut tracks mid-song

HAND SIGNALS

Chorus Verse Bridge Tag

Go to or repeat the Chorus Go to or repeat the Verse

Go to the Bridge

Play and/or repeat the tags

Dynamic Shift Ending

Toe tap indicates; bring it up, or bring it down

Instrumental Wait

End the song strong

Cut Click

Play the instrumental Bring it down and pause. Listen to the MD/Worship lead for direction

Stop the click or track

WORSHIP TEAM ETHICS

Platform leadership

As we accept the responsibility of platform leadership at Emmanuel, there comes a greater level of accountability with the way we conduct our lives.

As a visible leader at Emmanuel, you are seen by our members and outside parties as a representative of the church. Keep this in mindas you read the following guidelines.

Biblical Sexuality

Emmanuel holds the orthodox biblical view that marriage, between one man and one woman, is the context for sexual relationship. As leaders, we are also called to a higher standard of accountability when it comes to relationships we are involved in. With that in mind, we are expected to keep our eyes pure by not viewing pornography, inappropriate media and anything else that may contaminate our heart and spirit (Matt 5:28). We also must refrain from putting ourselves into compromising situations and to abstain from premarital sexual activity, be it physical or digital.

Social Media

Since you are a visible leader at Emmanuel, your online presence through social media platforms are a reflection of our church, even if the church is not specifically mentioned or referenced. What we promote and how we influence others through our online presence should be thoughtfully considered. With this in mind it’s important that we do all that we can to be edifying to the body. Pause for a moment before you post to think about how it could be interpreted by different audiences.

“We have a responsibility to be a testimony in the culture.”

Alcohol use

As leaders on the worship team, we have a responsibility to be a testimony in the culture and to aspire to be Christlike in all behavior. This understanding should lead our convictions around drinking to submit to a greater discretion based on the circumstances or situations we are in. We are all human and understand that this can be a struggle for some. Our hope is to come alongside you and be a safe place to have a conversation.

• Thoughtful consideration should be made regarding the place or the manner of consumption so as to reflect a positive image on Christ, His Church, and our testimony.

• Thoughtful consideration should be made towards those who may be wrongly influenced by our behavior.

• Alcohol should not be consumed in the company of minors you lead.

• Consumption should not be done on church property or at church events.

• No alcohol at gatherings/functions sponsored by Emmanuel or its leaders, nor on any Emmanuel property.

Scripture references

• Romans 14:14-15, 20, “14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love… 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.

• Ephesians 5:18, “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (ESV)

Substance Abuse

The abuse of drugs or alcohol are inconsistent with a Christian lifestyle. We must abstain from any behavior that does not align with biblical teaching. Any involvement with alcohol or drugs that affects the church, other members, or the reputation of the ministry is unacceptable. If a teammate is struggling in this area, they are urged to voluntarily reach out to their location pastor or worship leader so that they can provide any help or resources as needed.

Worship Team Care

Unity is key to a thriving team, and when it comes to conflicts, healthy teams discuss directly. We choose not to engage in gossip, but instead to work out issues or differences respectfully and in a way that demonstrates loyalty to each other.

Our goal is to develop deep relationships that are interconnected with each other and trust is built.

If there are any concerns on morality or behavior, they will be addressed individually. We all go through difficult times, and no one needs to go through them alone. Our Location Worship Staff loves to support you. If you are facing a crisis or difficult situation, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help. If you need to talk, want to find a good counselor or anything else, your Location Worship Staff can help get you connected with the right resources. Reach out to them via email, text or in person.