A well-structured cue stack is key to running smooth, intentional services—from pre-roll all the way through the final song. Planning your transitions and building around moments like the sermon, altar calls, or band improvisation ensures your lighting supports the flow of worship without distractions.

Pre-Service Through Worship

Start with a pre-service cue built from an all preset. It gives you a consistent, editable look that sets the tone before service begins. Use this as Cue 1 in your sequence.

Then, in your first music cue, pull out lights that don’t fade well—like those using gobos or color wheels. This lets them reset before you bring them in for the first verse (Cue 3), creating a clean visual transition.

Sermon and Transitional Cues

Create a sermon look using an all preset and store it further down the cue stack. Add a transition cue between the last song and the sermon to allow time for fixtures (especially spots) to reset smoothly.

Think of this as your “setup cue” for the next moment. Pull problematic fixtures out, bring in washes or soft light to fill the gap, and then land into your final look.

Altar Call and Flexible Add-Ons

Include a cue near the end for an altar call or flexible band extension. Just like earlier, turn off spots or gobos ahead of time so you’re free to busk or respond to what’s happening in the room.

Also consider having additional looks or sequences nearby—ready to trigger if the band goes into another song or if you need to stretch a moment.

Post-Service Cue and Wrap-Up

Finish with a post-service cue, often a repeat of your pre-service look, to transition the room gently as people exit. Add timing and fade-outs so it doesn’t feel abrupt.

Anything not stored in the main cue stack—like key lighting or house looks—should still be close by in your executor layout for quick access.

Best Practices

• Use all presets to build consistent looks across cues

• Break up transitions with dedicated setup cues for smoother fades

• Keep executor buttons near your playback section for fast access

• Label your cues clearly so volunteers can follow the flow with ease