When MAPC first made the decision to offer a live stream option for our Sunday morning worship service, the primary goal was to reach those unable to attend service in person due to health precautions. In the time that has followed, the reach of our live stream service has grown to include visitors and members from across the globe. As many of our members have returned to in-person worship, our live stream viewership has continued to grow steadily. This growth has brought with it some growing pains.

The first phase of the live stream technology was implemented last summer when cameras were installed into the sanctuary as a part of a simple streaming hub. In order to expedite the launch of the live stream, the sanctuary’s existing sound system was connected directly into the streaming hub. Over the course of the past year - this system has been used to broadcast Sunday morning worship services, weddings, funerals, Saint Andrew Music Society concerts, and even nationally broadcast New York City Children’s Chorus performances. During this time, however, the limitations of the existing sound system have become apparent.

While most worship services, concerts, and performances have taken place without any technical issues, broadcasts like this past Sunday’s serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done. During Sunday’s service, the internet signal in the sanctuary completely lost connection, which caused the live stream to fail. Furthermore, this break in the live stream caused the sound system to fail for online viewers during the second half of the service. We are already at work with our vendors on a resolution to this issue, but sometimes it is important for the viewers to get a glimpse behind the curtain.

We are hopeful that the second phase of our live stream upgrade will resolve all internet and sound issues moving forward and we can return to our regularly schedule broadcast very soon. Until then, please bear with us as we sort through these growing pains.