Mastering the art of leading with one day's notice is essential for leaders of various small groups.

• Find out the pastor's or speaker's message theme and try to incorporate this theme into your worship.
• Confirm the date, time, venue, musicians, physical arrangements (e.g. overhead transparencies, equipment), and duration.
• Choosing the songs:
• Stick to familiar songs if you can't have song sheets or transparencies.
• Don't choose too many songs. It may be difficult if rehearsal is required and not much time is available.
• Unless you are confident of teaching new songs or have a supportive audience, don't choose too many new songs - 1 would be okay. In a small group setting, without a full-strength support band and praise choir, it's a difficult task to have a seamlessly woven worship with too many new songs.
• Write down these songs in sequence, putting the key of the songs beside them.
• Inform the musicians and the people in charge of the transparencies or song sheets. One or two musicians is/are sufficient. Give a copy of the song list to each of the musicians during the rehearsal (if you have one) on the day itself.
• Remember to schedule your rehearsal. As a rule, rehearsals tend to take longer than planned and musicians tend to arrive late, so give yourself some "breathing space" (room for delays).
• Prepare yourself for leading the worship, spending time in prayer to receive God's guidance. Rehearse yourself by worshipping during your Quiet Time, using the sequence of songs you've selected. As you do so, ask God to search your heart and prepare you to be an instrument for His service.
• Ask God for peace and calmness. This can be obtained by following step 7 and trusting in God to work His will. Until the worship itself, remain calm. Arrive early and settle any outstanding problems quickly. God can use your peace and calmness to comfort and reassure your musicians and worshippers. Worry, moodiness, snapping at others, frustration and frenzy will not get you anywhere.