Worship Service Starters

[rivaldruid]

We play video announcments which we film weekly, but would like to start adding a countdown at the end. But it seems everyone is out to sell countdowns and I haven't had time to make any.
our church video's are on youtube, just search for reapnowhcc.

[jksbc]

Welcome Rivaldruid

[RSM Tech]

We start our youth services with a 5 minute countdown with some techno hillsong playing. then we do a game and announcements, followed by worship.

[jcanfield]

We have have announcements looping prior to the service with a random mix of praise music and some Christian Rock playing.

I have stuck a countdown on them from time to time but we had a few times where it would get to zero and someone wasn't ready so I've stopped doing it for the time being.

[Cliff Hall]

We have generic announcements looping (welcome, we have a cry room, etc.) and current praise music (Passion, Hillsongs, Tomlin, etc.) playing.

I occasionally use a 5 or 3 minute countdown, most often on holidays. When I use a countdown I always figure out what key the background music is in (if it has it) and make sure the first song is in that key and I try to segue smoothly from countdown to first song, sometimes playing with the last bit of background music.

In our church I never start with talking, always with a chorus so people don't feel scolded to "be quiet" "find a seat." Of course, we have an unruly lot - your milage may vary. We sing the song and the congregation sings or not, as they choose. They're not out of order to continue greeting friends and finding their seat. After that song I welcome them, stand them up and begin the "official" choruses.

[FlamHappy]

We have Worship Him run an auto running announcement loop while nice prelude music from a CD plays just under the level of conversation.