Each Sunday, we seek to give God glory through our service. This includes many actions and leadership activities. Please use this page to sign up for some of those:
(Needs a calendar and a sign up box)
To find out how to perform these acts of service, scroll down to the activity and read about it below:
About Being a CANDLE LIGHTER
The Candle Lighter is the bearer of light symbolizing the presence of Christ in our lives and worship.
GENERAL SERVICE: The Candle Lighter lights the Paschal Candle in advance of the worship, if it is present. Then the Lighter processes in behind the Cross Bearer, Chalice and Bible Bearers, carrying a light taper, then lights the two altar candles and the peace candle on the left. At the close of the worship, during the last song/hymn, the lighter walks in with the Cross Bearer and uses the taper to extinguish the three candles lit at the beginning.
DETAILS:
- Make sure the Paschal Candle is lit if present
- Check the taper to make sure there is wick left
- Be ready to walk in the processional after the Chalices and Bible. Go up and light the taper on the Paschal Candle, then light the altar candles and then the Peace candle on the left. Walk out up the center aisle.
- At the close of worship, during the last song/hymn, walk in with the Cross Bearer, carrying the light taper and extinguish the three candles lit before starting with the altar candles. Then walk out behind the Cross Bearer.
- Use the snuffer in extinguishing candles, centered to minimize wax dripping. Try to avoid touching the metal followers on the candles. Do not blow out candles, as this spreads wax.
About Being a COMMUNION SERVER
A Communion Server or Eucharistic Minister is one who bears thankfulness in the heart for the love of Christ, and offers communion to the people in Christ’s stead.
GENERAL SERVICE: The Communion Server has a special role to play in worship, sharing the communion with the people. Usually this is done by holding the cup or plate and offering it to each person coming forward, and also serving folks in the seats.
DETAILS:
- At the start of the worship, one Server should carry the chalices forward in the procession behind the Cross, and place them on the altar table in the center, front, one ahead of the other, then retire to your seat.
- During the offertory, the Servers should get the communion elements from the desk in the hallway, then carry them forward behind the ushers during the Doxology, and place the on the altar table. The bread should be placed in the center rear behind the cups, and the pitcher/flagon should be placed to the left of the cups with the handle to the rear. You may then retire to your seat.
- After the Eucharistic prayer is completed, the pastor will invite the communion servers to come forward. Move to the front down the center aisle and you will be served by the pastor, and handed cup or plate.
- Locate yourself at the foot of the side aisle to which you are directed with the plate first and the cup offered second (stand closer to the middle of the front).
- As each person comes forward make sure that they can easily reach. It helps if there are a couple of fingers securing the large loaf on the plate.
- To each person who comes forward speak: (The person’s first name, if you know it, or “friend,” “Brother,” or “Sister,” then say “The Body of Christ,” if you hold the plate, or “The Blood of Christ,” if you hold the cup.
- There may be folks who are unsure about what to do, and you should gently tell them to take bread and dip it into the cup, then eat.
- When all who are coming forward have received, check for those who may need to be served in the seats. Go to them and serve carefully.
- Then return to the altar table and hand the plate and cup to the pastor to be placed on the table.
- You may then return to your seat.
QUESTIONS: Ask the Pastor or the Head Usher
About Being a CROSS BEARER
The Cross Bearer or Crosier carries the processional Cross from the rear of the sanctuary in at the start of the service and brings it out at the end. This person is part of the worship service.
GENERAL SERVICE: The Cross Bearer is responsible for carrying in and out the Processional Cross in a way that reminds the congregation that our very being as a people of God is because Jesus Christ died on the Cross, an emblem of shame that we proclaim as an emblem of God’s love.
DETAILS:
- If the Processional Cross is not at the rear of the sanctuary before worship, retrieve it from the stand in front.
- Be ready during the prelude to walk in carrying the Cross high with two hands. It is best if the screws are on the back as you walk.
- When the processional song begins, wait until the singing starts, then walk slowly with dignity forward and place the Cross in the stand (with screws toward the wall). The stand is located on the left as you walk down the center aisle.
- At the start of the final song/hymn, please come forward and retrieve the Cross. Hold it up, until the candles are extinguished and the lighter is ready to walk out behind you, then proceed up the center aisle and place the Cross to the left of the door on your right.
About Being a SCRIPTURE READER
The Scripture Reader is the bearer of the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people as an act of worship with authenticity, reverence and clarity.
GENERAL SERVICE: The Scripture Reader has the important privilege of reading the assigned text or texts for the day. Usually, these will be in the NIV translation and should be read from that translation unless you are instructed otherwise. Reading with clarity will help the congregation grasp the truths that are present in the text. Our purpose is to keep our focus on God as revealed through the sacred text, so we avoid distractions if possible.
DETAILS:
- Read?over the assigned texts before Sunday, practicing them out loud. If there are difficult words, ask the pastor for help pronouncing them.
- Be prepared to carry the Bible forward during the processional at the beginning of worship behind the Cross and Chalices. Then return to your seat.
- When the readings come up in the order of worship, be ready to walk forward and begin reading.
- Unless you have a mobility impairment, use the lectern located on the left side of the altar as you face it.
- Turn on the Microphone (those using hearing assistance need this!) The mic has two sliding buttons. One should be set “ON” and the other must be set to “POWER.”
- Announce the text simply in this fashion: “A reading from the Book of ________” or, if you are reading the Gospel, “A reading from the Gospel according to St. (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John).”
- You should avoid chatting, saying good morning, etc.
- Speak directly into the mic and read in a clear natural voice without rushing or going very slowly.
- If you make a mistake, relax, and correct yourself simply and directly.
- At the end of the text, you may say: “The word of the Lord.”
- If you have an additional reading, you may sit on the chair behind the lectern until the reading, or return to your seat and go back up for the next reading.
- At the end of your reading, please turn the mic off using both buttons.
QUESTIONS: Ask the Pastor
About Being An USHER
Ushers are people who share the gift of hospitality. They are part of the welcoming team of the church.
GENERAL SERVICE: The ushers are available from about one half to three quarters of an hour before worship to hand out bulletins, walk folks to their seats, provide information on the location of rest rooms, classrooms, nursery and other things folks may need. The ushers also collect the offerings and bring them forward during the service. Following worship, ushers assist folks in coming to fellowship, leaving the building and finding people and places in the church, as well as straightening out the pews, hymnals, etc.
DETAILS:
- Arrive ½ to ¾ hour before worship
- Be familiar with the building lay out
- Stand in the rear of the sanctuary and offer folks a bulletin and weekly newsletter.
- Offer to walk them to a seat.
- Offer to introduce new folks to others.
- Encourage folks to use the nursery and Sunday school classes for children, if they wish, and direct them in how to find these places.
- Be ready to answer questions frequently asked.
- Just before the Offertory, stand at the rear of the center aisle, and walk down after the invitation is given, take the plates. Walking back up the center aisle pass the plate half way in each row. Then proceed down the side aisles doing the same thing. Return to center aisle and stand ready to walk forward when the Doxology is begun. Stand apart so that the communion elements can be placed on the altar table. After the prayer the pastor will take the plates and you may be seated.
After worship make yourself available at the rear to assist folks in getting up, going to fellowship, picking up children, finding rest rooms, or leaving.
Then go through the pews straightening up books, etc. and remove items left behind.
QUESTIONS:
Ask the Head Usher or the Pastor