Reflections From a Worship Team Leader

By Luanne Hearns

When I think of Worship at Mullins UMC, I think of my church family gathered. I think of the reading of the scriptures, the singing of the songs of our faith, and our Pastor bringing us together in the Word to encourage us, to bring us hope, or to challenge us to live our lives, our WHOLE life, as a testimony to bring glory to God in everything we do and to bring new brothers and sisters into the fold.

The worship service at Mullins is intentionally diverse. We recognize we are a multigenerational, multicultural body coming from various socioeconomic walks of life, all gathering in an area of Memphis that lends itself to growing even more diverse as we seek to expand our congregation. Our services offer a variety of music that include piano, pipe organ, special-events orchestras, handbells, guitar, flute, trombone, and even an occasional banjo. I love it! My favorites are often the classics, but I enjoy the experience of trying new things, and I love watching the faces of the congregation from the choir loft when we offer something new and different, which is well-received.

As a United Methodist Church, we recognize and embrace the importance of liturgy in our church and enjoy the opportunities to gather for services that include Holy Communion, Baptisms, and Marriages, to name a few. We are blessed to have an artist as a part of our Worship Team who ensures the proper liturgical colors are in place and used every week and treats us to some awe-inspiring additions from time to time throughout the year. Incorporating all the senses in the worship experience is one we recognize to be Spirit-led and powerful.

When we gather for worship, we celebrate one another. We share concerns and praises every week, and we seek to recognize any visiting with us to let them know their presence gives us great joy and blesses us as much as we hope their attendance with us blesses them.

Worship is the focus of our church and guides us to the rest of our Mission to our neighborhood, our city, and the world through study, service, and witness. I am blessed to be able to attend in person every week or online when the need arises. My soul is filled, and I pray that I am a better person to my neighbors because I am a worshiping member of Mullins United Methodist Church. ALL are welcome and invited for worship. Our doors are open.