“Feather Forestwalker” wrote:

*LOL* Well, I have been in worship services that seem to do that very thing. However, as a “worship leader,” I must say that when the organist and I get together to pick out songs, we do so with a leaning towards the sermon – so if the pastor has a sermon from a certain Scripture, for example, we can pretty much “guess” what his message will be about and apply the songs accordingly.

Moira responded:

Those of us who use a lectionary have an easy time of it. I was ordained in The Salvation Army, but soon learned to use the lectionary – I just used the Anglican one – because so much of the “thinking” is done for one. As internet resources have grown, so the resources have become more available. I have taught the organist in our church to check these resources when chosing music. It makes my life as the preacher easier if the themes are clearly established.

The beauty of the lectionary is that it creates a disciplined preaching programme and works through the whole of the hymnal rather than the 20 favourites. In small congregations where I’ve had to play the piano as well as preach, they’ve been stuck with about 20 tunes, but we still use a lot of different words.

— Moira

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“Mark T” wrote:

Better still, sit in a circle with the musicians outside the circle.

Moira responded:

I am involved with the Emmaus Movement. One of the things we do there is have a very special Eucharist known as “Dying Moments”. I arrange it so that each person (and there are always 67 people present for that service) kneels (or other position) before the cross with the Body of Christ in hand. During this time, and it is a long time because no-one is limited to any length of time at the cross and no-one goes up until the last person returns to their seat, the musicians are hidden behind a screen. The cross is the focus. The musicians hate me towards the end of that particular service. Some of the other clergy have more than one person kneeling at a time and a little line of people waiting for their turn at the cross, which does speed things up, rather. The musicians prefer that system as it’s less wearing on their voices and fingers. Those that work with me more than once learn to alternate instrumental, including solo items and vocal stuff.

— Moira