Expanding Worship: Come and See
Removing barriers so all people may experience God’s love.
At Peace, worship is at the heart of who we are. As we look toward the future, God is calling us to ensure our sanctuary helps—not hinders—every person’s ability to gather, hear the Word, and experience the light of Christ. Stay to up to date with all the happenings below.
March 11, 2026
This month the Expanding Worship Team spent time evaluating several key spaces in our building that support worship and ministry, including the Shalom Room, Gathering Place, Fellowship Hall, and the RST children’s ministry room. Staff and ministry leaders discussed how these rooms are currently being used, the challenges we experience, and some possibilities for improving technology, sound, and flexibility so these spaces can better support small groups, fellowship events, children’s ministry, and larger gatherings. These conversations are helping us think long-term about how our building can best support the growing ministry happening at Peace.
We are also working with our Property Team to explore the creation of a small patio space just east of the sanctuary windows, adjacent to the parking lot, where the worship band could set up for outdoor worship. This would allow the team to place temporary sunshade over equipment, protect instruments and electronics from wind, and set up earlier before services begin. The patio could also serve as a flexible gathering space for other Peace events throughout the year.
In the coming weeks we will be inviting conversation with the congregation about a possible change to our worship schedule that would allow us to provide Holy Communion at every worship service each weekend beginning this fall. We look forward to hearing feedback and learning how this change might deepen our shared worship life.
Finally, the team continues to explore ways to strengthen the Sunday volunteer experience for our ensembles, worship staff, and the many volunteers who serve each weekend. Our hope is to make Sunday mornings more supportive, efficient, and life-giving for the people who help lead worship.
We are grateful for the many ways members of Peace continue to share ideas and participate in these conversations as we work together to expand and strengthen our worship life.
February 17, 2026
This month, the Expanding worship Committee met to discuss how improvements to our audio systems could help us continue “Expanding Worship.” While this conversation involves speakers and soundboards, it is ultimately about people. Our goal is to ensure that every person—no matter where they sit or how they join us—can participate fully and clearly in worship.
We began by asking a foundational question: What should worship sound like? We agreed that every seat matters. Whether someone is in the front pew, the back row, the Gathering Area, or joining us online, the experience should be clear and consistent. Worship should be intelligible, with speaking, instruments, and congregational singing heard as balanced sounds working together. It must also be versatile enough to support both traditional and modern services. Just as importantly, worship should be accessible, with clear captions for the Deaf community, visible ASL interpreters, reliable hearing-assist devices, and thoughtful accommodations for those with sensory sensitivities.
We also considered the needs of different groups who worship and serve each week. Pastors need dependable microphones and the ability to hear clearly from every location. Volunteers need reliable tools and strong training. The congregation includes seniors using hearing aids, parents stepping out with young children, friends with sensory needs, and a growing online community. Expanding worship means making sure our audio supports each of these experiences rather than distracting from them.
In assessing our current systems, we identified several challenges. The online audio experience is noticeably weaker than what is heard in person, and our equipment limits our ability to mix specifically for online worship. Sound quality can vary depending on where someone sits. We also recognized the need for better training, clearer systems, and a consistent maintenance plan to improve reliability week after week.
When we imagined what success would look like, we pictured online worship that sounds just as strong and intentional as in-person services, more consistent sound throughout the sanctuary, and volunteers who feel confident and well-equipped. We also discussed the importance of sustainable planning, including training, maintenance, and a realistic production budget.
At the same time, we are mindful of real constraints. Audio upgrades represent a significant investment, and we remain committed to responsible stewardship. Equipment placement must enhance worship without becoming visually distracting, and recruiting and training volunteers takes time. These realities shape our discernment as we move forward.
This process is still in the exploration phase, and no final decisions have been made. What is clear is that this effort is not about technology for its own sake. It is about removing barriers so the Word can be heard clearly and every person—whether in the sanctuary or online—can fully participate in worship. Thank you for your prayers and partnership as we continue discerning next steps.
January 14, 2026
Greetings Peace Family,
The Expanding Worship Team has been busy at the start of this new year, and we’re excited to share a quick update with you.
Our goals for the Expanding Worship initiative are to:
Hire a Director of Modern Worship and Production
Improve lighting and video quality for both in‑person and online worship
Improve audio quality for both in‑person and online worship
We’re pleased to share that our new Director of Modern Worship and Production has joined the team and is already working with staff and volunteers to shape our modern worship service and enhance our current audio, lighting, and video systems.
This winter, the Expanding Worship Team will also be meeting with contractors to explore options for upgrading the sanctuary’s lighting, video, and audio systems. These proposals will help us understand the best solutions and costs for moving forward.
We continue to work closely with the Church Council, Stewardship Team, and staff to ensure this project is completed thoughtfully and effectively.
If you have any questions about the project, please reach out to Pastor Jason.