Brian Williams and Worship
Note from Brian Williams, member of CHBC for over twenty years, who gives of his time and talents to make our Sanctuary a beautiful place for worship:
Worship has always been amazing at Crescent Hill. After growing up in little country churches in Alabama, I was ready for planned worship that was more than just saying a prayer, singing favorite hymns, and placing flowers on the communion table (even though there are times I still need that too). Greg and I found much more than that at Crescent Hill over twenty years ago.
Worship here at Crescent Hill has been and will always be: Beautifully Written and Voiced Prayers (would it not be wonderful to have a book of all the beautiful prayers that have been prayed here over the years), Music from the Organ or the Electric Guitars, Choirs singing the Messiah, Men singing Southern Gospel, the Congregation singing music in the different Languages spoken here, Dramas and Musicals, Communion served in so many different ways, Baptism and Baby Dedications with this Community of Faith pledging our support as we all try to Walk in the Way of Jesus, Interpretative Movement (or can we just say dancing), Children Sermons and Grown Up Sermons, and wonderful visuals like Flowers, Banners, and Setting of Symbols of our Faith from the Advent Wreath to the Cross to the Christ Candle. Worship almost as marvelous and diverse as God’s astonishing world.
My personal preference is that I would much rather listen to the Great Organ being played, than an Electric Guitar. But I am always moved, because I know it is that individual’s expression of Praise and Gratitude to our Risen Lord … and it is so pleasing to our God!
After I finally got over the idea that everything had to be perfect, I took on the responsibility for ensuring that our Sanctuary is prepared for Worship, especially for Advent, Lent, and Easter over the last few years. With the help of so many wonderful members of the church, it has been one of the most meaningful times in my Faith Journey. Every time I have asked someone to help they have been there, making banners, bringing, moving, and placing stones, providing Holly and Magnolia, and on and on I could go.
I have always struggled with the ideas of how much money a church should spend on worship when there are so many people with physical needs around and among us. So as we have prepared our wonderful Sanctuary for worship, we have always kept that in mind, being sure that we have used your tithes and offerings wisely.
Remember that the most pleasing worship is worship from an imperfect heart, full of wonder, love, and joy. That is me as I work with others to prepare our place for worship. Thank you for giving your money, so that I and many others have the opportunity to help make this place of worship pleasing to our Living God. It is my hope that as we worship together, we find strength to carry God’s Love and Grace outside the sanctuary into the world.
(If you have ideas for a future article, please contact Anne-Britton Arnett at 896-2337.)