Lights dim and guitars strum in a packed Ground Zero. In synchronization, the drummer swings his sticks as the keyboardist and the guitarists move their hands over keys and strings. The musicians became a blur to the audience as the singers sing praises.

The worship team first performed in front of the student body at chapel. They played ?Blessed Be Your Name? and ?Indescribable? on Sept. 19 and 26.

?We performed excellently at the first chapel,? Andrew Rurik, ?09, said. ?Hopefully we will continue to improve throughout the year.?

Five members of the worship team including the lead singer, 2006 grad Chapman Hutchins are no longer in the group. Rurik contributes his church worship team experience to lead this year’s eight-person group on the electric guitar.

?When I knew Chapman was leaving and that they needed someone to take over, I decided to join the worship team,? Rurik said. ?I?ve been doing the same thing at my church for a few years now.?

Nervous affects each member of the team; every performance requires the worship team to set aside their personal fears.

?Its challenging being in front of peers and wondering what they think about you,? Alyssa Quenzer, ?10, said. ?I pray that I would overcome my fears before going on stage.?

The group only plays on Tuesdays in chapel, they practice during fifth period on Thursdays with Aaron Bryan, worship team director. He started as the campus choir director, but also took over the worship team after Paul McEntee moved to Idaho.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday they study the Bible with Tom McEntee, Bible teacher.

?One of the challenges so far is that the amount of time we have to practice is minimal,? Rurik said. ?Still, I enjoy playing music something other then in a school setting like concert band.?

The worship team plays a mixture of traditional and contemporary worship songs.

?We want worship to be not only meaningful, but fun at the same time,? Bryan said. ?We want to make this year the best it can be and ultimately get students to join in and worship God along with the worship team.?

All positions of the team are filled, except for an acoustic guitar player. Students interested must have a vacant fifth period, and willing to be a leader.