The Weekly Worship Workflow: Planning Sunday Services with Star

This tutorial walks you through a complete weekly workflow for planning worship services. From Monday planning to Sunday execution, you'll learn how to use Star efficiently week after week.

Time required: 20 minutes to read, implemented weekly

What You'll Learn

• A structured weekly approach to service planning
• When and how to use each Star feature
• Team coordination best practices
• Reducing last-minute stress

Prerequisites

• Star account with collaborators added
• Basic familiarity with shows and entries
• Your worship team as contacts

The Weekly Overview

Monday: Create and Draft

Step 1: Create This Week's Show

1. Open Backstage
2. Tap + New Show
3. Name it clearly: "Sunday Service - January 21"
4. Set the date (enables D-Day countdown)
5. Add any cover image (optional)

Step 2: Consider the Theme

Before selecting songs, ask:

• What is the sermon topic/text?
• What season are we in (Advent, Lent, ordinary time)?
• Any special events (baptism, communion, guest speaker)?

Add theme notes to the show description for reference.

Step 3: Draft the Song Lineup

Browse your repertoire and the library:

1. Tap Add Entry → Song
2. Search for songs that fit the theme
3. Add 5-6 candidates (more than you need)
4. Don't worry about order yet

Tip: Search by lyrics if you remember a phrase but not the title.

Step 4: Create Basic Structure

Add section entries for service elements:

• Welcome
• Opening Prayer
• Offering
• Sermon
• Communion (if applicable)
• Benediction

Place them roughly where they'll go.

Step 5: Save and Step Away

Don't finalize yet. Let the draft sit. You'll refine tomorrow with fresh eyes.

Time invested: 20-30 minutes

Tuesday: Finalize and Share

Step 1: Review Your Draft

Open the show. Read through the entries:

• Does the song flow make sense?
• Is there variety in tempo and mood?
• Do songs connect thematically?

Step 2: Finalize Song Selection

Narrow down to your actual songs:

• Keep 4-5 songs (typical worship service)
• Remove extras (or keep one backup)
• Consider total time allocation

Step 3: Set the Order

Drag entries into final sequence:

1. Welcome
2. Opening Song (accessible, gets people singing)
3. Second Song (build energy or deepen focus)
4. Prayer
5. Third Song (connect to sermon theme)
6. Sermon
7. Response Song (reflective, post-message)
8. Offering / Communion
9. Closing Song (sending, celebration)
10. Benediction

Step 4: Invite Your Team

Add collaborators if not already added:

1. Open sharing options
2. Invite each team member by email:
   • Musicians → Editor (can add notes)
   • Tech volunteer → Viewer
   • Backup vocalists → Viewer
3. Add a message: "Here's this week's setlist. Please review."

Time invested: 15-20 minutes

Wednesday: Add Details

Step 1: Verify Song Details

For each song, check:

• Key: Is this the key we'll play?
• BPM: Does tempo match our arrangement?
• Lyrics: Are they complete and correct?

Update any that need adjustment.

Step 2: Add Performance Notes

Click into each song entry and add notes:

• "Acoustic guitar leads intro, full band on verse 2"
• "Key change up half step after bridge"
• "Soft start, build through chorus"
• "Repeat final chorus if time allows"

These notes communicate arrangement to your team without a meeting.

Step 3: Add Scripture (if applicable)

If the service includes readings:

1. Add scripture entries
2. Enter the references
3. Position in the flow
4. Note who reads (in entry notes)

Step 4: Check Team Access

Verify everyone has accessed the show:

• Look at the collaborator list
• Note who's viewed
• Send a reminder to anyone who hasn't looked yet

Time invested: 15 minutes

Thursday: Rehearsal

Before Rehearsal

1. Open the show
2. Verify all entries are in order
3. Have practice tools ready (tuner, metronome)

During Rehearsal

The setup:

• Everyone opens the show on their device
• You run through songs in order
• Use Star as the common reference

Making changes:

• Need to adjust a key? Update the entry—everyone sees it
• Adding a repeat? Note it in the entry
• Cutting a verse? Update the lyrics or add a note

Using practice tools:

• Tuner for pre-rehearsal tune-up
• Metronome if you need to lock in tempo
• Piano for reference pitches (vocalists)

Real-time sync (if available):

• You control the view
• Team follows along
• Practice transitioning between entries

After Rehearsal

1. Update any final changes agreed upon
2. Verify all notes are captured
3. The show now reflects rehearsed arrangements

Time invested: Rehearsal length (varies)

Friday: Final Review

Step 1: Complete Read-Through

Open the show and read every entry:

• Are all songs finalized?
• Are notes clear and complete?
• Are scripture references correct?
• Is the order logical?

Step 2: Preview Presentation

1. Enter Presentation Mode
2. Navigate through entire service
3. Check:
   • Text readability
   • Background appearance
   • Smooth transitions
   • Entry timing

Step 3: Check Design

If you have custom design settings:

• Verify backgrounds load
• Ensure text contrast is good
• Confirm any per-entry overrides work

Step 4: Confirm Tech Volunteer

Message your tech volunteer:

• "Show is finalized. Please review before Sunday."
• "Any questions, let me know."

Time invested: 10-15 minutes

Saturday: Rest

The Goal: No Work

If you've followed the workflow, Saturday requires nothing. The show is ready. The team is prepared.

If Emergencies Arise

Life happens. If something must change:

1. Open the show
2. Make the edit
3. All collaborators see it immediately
4. Send a quick message alerting to the change

Time invested: 0 minutes (ideally)

Sunday: Execute

Pre-Service (30-60 min before)

Tech volunteer:

1. Open Star on the presentation device
2. Connect to projector/display
3. Enter Presentation Mode
4. Test navigation
5. Ready to go

Worship leader:

1. Quick review of flow on your device
2. Brief team huddle (can reference Star)
3. Prayer and preparation

During Service

Tech:

• Advance entries as the service progresses
• Watch the leader for cues
• Stay calm—you know what's coming

Leader/Musicians:

• Follow the planned flow
• Reference your device if needed
• Trust the preparation

Handling Changes:

• Need to repeat? Signal tech, they tap back
• Cutting something? Signal tech, they skip forward
• The flexibility is built in

Post-Service

1. Note any feedback (in show notes or separately)
2. Thank your team
3. Consider: What worked? What to improve?

Time invested: The service itself

After Sunday: Archive and Reflect

Archive the Show

1. Open the completed show
2. Find Archive option
3. Archive it

The show moves to archived state—accessible but not cluttering your active workspace.

Reflect for Next Week

• Did the song flow work?
• Were there any technical issues?
• What feedback did you receive?

Use insights to improve next week's planning.

Weekly Time Summary

Total planning time: ~60-80 minutes spread across the week

That's less time than most people spend searching for lost chord charts.

Tips for Long-Term Success

Build Your Repertoire

Each week, add performed songs to your repertoire. Over time, planning becomes faster because your library is rich.

Reuse Structures

Create a template show with standard sections. Copy it each week and modify songs.

Communicate Through Star

Let the app replace emails and texts. Updates in Star are the source of truth.

Train Your Team

Help musicians and volunteers understand Star. The more comfortable they are, the smoother everything runs.

Review Archived Shows

Planning a holiday service? Check last year's archived show for inspiration.

Next Steps

The workflow is established. Now:

• Follow it consistently for 4-6 weeks
• Adjust timing to fit your specific context
• Refine the process based on what you learn