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The Ministry of the Crucifer & Bible Bearer

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The Ministry of the Crucifer & Bible Bearer Trinity Lutheran Church Guidelines for all Worship Ministries The Assisting Minister The Lector The Communion Assistants The Greeters The Ushers & Communion Ushers The Crucifer and Bible Bearer The Acolyte The Altar Guild The Bell Ringer ROMANS 12: 3-13 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.* 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 2 Revised 8/26/14 Introduction These guidelines are designed to help you better understand the roles of our worship assistants. Your participation will put into practice what our Lord Jesus has asked of each of us – and that is to welcome and to serve. Sometimes that can be easy and others times it can make us very uncomfortable. As Paul’s letter to the Romans states in the 12th chapter, “For as in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function . .” Please read through these guidelines and find a “function” that works for you. It may be something you are comfortable with right away or it may be a function to learn and grow in. Each of us has our own unique set of God-given gifts. These ministries can provide a way to share and mold your gifts. Remember this - as you serve, you are also a worshiper. All that we do focuses on worshipping our Creator and Lord – by gathering together, hearing the Word, sharing the Meal, and then going into the world to share the Good News. Your service will guide our members and guests to a welcoming worship experience. Know that the pastor and staff of Trinity appreciate and support the commitment you are making and will answer any questions you may have. 3 Revised 8/26/14 TABLE OF CONTENTS Romans 12: 3-13 . Pg. 2 Introduction . Pg. 3 Assisting Minister . Pg. 5 Lector . Pg. 9 Communion Assistants . Pg. 10 Greeters . Pg. 11 Ushers & Communion Ushers. Pg. 13 Crucifer and Bible Bearer . Pg. 17 Acolyte . .Pg. 19 Altar Guild . .Pg. 21 Bell Ringer . .Pg. 25 Helpful Church Vocabulary . Pg. 26 Seasons of the Church Year . .Pg. 28 Wrap-Up . Pg. 29 How We Worship . Pg. 30 John 13: 12-17 . .Pg. 31 4 Revised 8/26/14 THE MINISTRY OF THE ASSISTING MINISTER Assisting Ministers are Liturgical Ministers You are worship leaders. (Liturgy = The Work of the People) Thank you for deciding to serve in the role of Assisting Minister. These guidelines are intended to give you insight into the Assisting Minister’s role in worship. The Assisting Minister is an extension of the Pastor in leading the worship service. You are another set of eyes, ears, and hands that bring the Word and Sacrament to those worshipping at Trinity. Your role is very important. Be attentive to the worshipping assembly. From where you are placed during worship, you are able to see the congregation that is gathered. Your observations can help us better serve those who are with us on Sunday mornings. Be attentive to the Pastor. The Pastor may need your assistance in any number of ways. Be attentive to yourself. Remember, you are there to worship also! A step-by-step guide follows about the logistics of the worship service. Please let a staff member know if you have any questions or need clarification. Prepare before Sunday morning! You will be given a copy of the liturgy prior to Sunday morning. Please be aware if there is something happening in worship that will need special instruction (i.e. baptisms). 5 Revised 8/26/14 Arrive about 20 minutes before worship begins so you have time to ask any questions. Make sure you have everything you need to proceed through the service with ease. (hymnals, worship folder, prayers, etc.). Please robe in one of the white albs that can be found in the choir room. Please ask if you need assistance. Enter the sanctuary and be seated with the pastor on the front pew for morning announcements. If it is a Festival Sunday, wait in the back of the nave with the choir for the procession. Have the hymnal you need for the opening hymn. You will move to the altar by standing on the pastor’s right from either location. Reverence the cross and then move to your chair. Know when to stand and sit in the service. Always speak, with a strong, clear voice. Stand behind the altar for all prayers you pray throughout the service and at the lectern if you also read the lessons and lead the psalm. Make sure that you are near a microphone so all can hear. A microphone headset is available if you are comfortable using one. Please arrive early to get this. A choir member or other assigned person will serve as Cantor (lead Kyrie & Hymn of Praise if included in the day’s liturgy). If you wish to serve as Cantor, please let the Director of Worship & Music know so that you are fully prepared to lead this part of the worship service. Stand behind the altar to lead the Kyrie and Hymn of Praise if you are serving as Assisting Minister and Cantor for the day. A lector will read the assigned scripture lessons for the day. That may be you or another assigned person. Be aware of who that person is. If that person is not at worship that day, you may need to step in so be familiar with the lessons. They will be included in the worship folder you receive prior to your scheduled Sunday. 6 Revised 8/26/14 The Creed – Before the Creed say, “ Let us join together in confessing our faith using the Apostles’/Nicene Creed.” You may move into place behind the altar as the hymn is concluding. The Apostle’s Creed begins –“I believe in God… The Nicene Creed begins – “We believe in one God…” The Prayers of Intercession are the responsibility of the Assisting Minister. Prayers of Intercession are given to you prior to the service. Please feel free to change and add to these prayers. The Assisting Minister’s role is one of intercessor, a minister who raises in prayer issues of importance to the faith community. The Holy Spirit works through you as you raise concerns important to the congregation. Your insights and changes to the prayers enhance our prayer life together. Please remain with the Pastor behind the altar for the prayers. The Sharing of the Peace – Feel free to move around and share God’s peace with the congregation and choir. Be aware of the acolyte’s role in the worship service. Most of our young volunteers have questions especially about the collection of the offering. Answer them quietly, quickly and concisely. Discourage the acolyte from trying to hold long conversations and be aware of their attitude and posture. Gentle reminders are helpful to them. Offering Prayer – Before the Offering Prayer, ask the congregation to “Please stand.” Then “Let us pray . .”. You will be behind the altar for this prayer. When the prayer is concluded, you may move to your place in front of your chair, facing the altar – not the congregation - as the pastor continues with the communion liturgy. 7 Revised 8/26/14 Communion – You will assist in the distribution of communion. Please assist the Altar Guild person (normally Barb McComas) in passing out the chalices to the other assistants. Be aware of placement of all people so you can help the distribution flow smoothly. Communing for all assistants will take place at the altar before the assembly has communed. The pastor will commune last after the assembly. (See more specific information in the communion assistant guidelines.) Once communion is over, be ready to share the communion prayer. Please move behind the altar for this prayer. You can remain there for the benediction. Begin the prayer with “Let us pray . .” You will exit to the rear of the nave during the last hymn. Follow the Pastor’s lead. Be prepared to lead the Dismissal from the back of the nave. Have your worship folder ready and give the dismissal immediately after the conclusion of the final hymn. Speak with clarity and strength. Please greet the worshippers with the Pastor. Return your hymnal to your chair in the sanctuary area. Hang your alb up neatly. 8 Revised 8/26/14 THE MINISTRY OF THE LECTOR Lectors are Liturgical Ministers You are worship leaders. (Liturgy = The Work of the People) Thank you for deciding to serve in the role of Lector. These guidelines are intended to give you insight into the Lector’s role in worship. Lector is Latin for reader, “either out-loud or not”.
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