DOCSLIB.ORG

St Mark's Guide for Liturgical Ministries

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

HANDBOOK FOR LITURGICAL MINISTRIES AT ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH PORT ROYAL, SC (Revised May 7, 2021) PURPOSE The purpose of this booklet is to provide succinct guidelines regarding the duties of all who prepare for and support Sunday worship services at St. Mark’s. The over-riding consideration should be the glorification of God in and through our worship, but we also seek to allow the Celebrant to focus on liturgical matters and to make worship at St. Mark’s smooth and seamless. Thanks to volunteers like YOU, worship at St Mark’s is and will continue to be meaningful. Instructions generally apply to ALL services, but some are unique to either 9 or 11 a.m. In the event of questions, please contact Carter Hoyt at [email protected] or 404-936-5695. APPLICABILITY This booklet provides a comprehensive outline of duties for each category of liturgical minister, as well as a summary for each ministry. Vestry Persons on Duty (VPOD) ............................................................................. Page 2 Sacristans ................................................................................................................. Page 4 Ushers ....................................................................................................................... Page 8 Lectors ...................................................................................................................... Page 10 Acolytes .................................................................................................................... Page 11 Gospel Bearers ......................................................................................................... Page 13 Eucharistic Ministers (EM) ...................................................................................... Page 14 Quick Cheat Sheets ................................................................................................... Page 15 ASSIGNMENT PROCESS Volunteers are given a choice of service dates prior to scheduling by the parish administrator. When the schedule is finalized, it is sent to each person, along with email addresses of all volunteers, and published on St. Mark’s web page. Volunteers will receive an email reminder earlier in the week, prior to the Sunday service. If unable to perform a duty, please find a replacement from the list, and then alert the administrator so the bulletin will be correct. This notification should be done as early as possible. Additionally, a consolidated roster of Sunday duties, as well as this handbook and a master list of servers, resides on the St Mark’s web page under the “Worship” tab. 1 VESTRY PERSON ON DUTY (VPOD) A VPOD is assigned for each Sunday service and for each special service on other Holy Days. The VPOD is the “master-of-ceremonies” for that service. The VPOD needs to be sufficiently conversant with this booklet so that he/she can monitor and guide, as needed, all the other participants. The VPOD’s focus is on the church building and ensuring that it is open and ready for others as they arrive. As with any position of responsibility, the VPOD should be attuned to where help is needed or to “pitch-in” temporarily if somebody is late or absent. Specifically, he/she will accomplish the following: 9:00 Service 1. Arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. and open the Center. Adjust thermostat as directed on the sign on the wall. During the “academic year” when coffee is served in the Center between the services, plug in the two coffee pots and tea kettle in the front room (coffee will already be set up.) Obtain the key to Union Church (9:00 only) from the usher box in the closet in the meeting room. That box also contains bulletins, a key to the Administrator’s office, visitor name tags, “Reserved for Usher” signs, bank bags, markers, etc. Leave the Center and the Administrator’s office door unlocked (but closed) and proceed, with the box, to the church. 2. Disconnect one end of the rope barrier on the church ramp and unlock the church via the side door. Close the door behind you and immediately DISARM the alarm. For instructions on how to arm or disarm the alarm, please contact the Rector at 339-499-8566 or Carter Hoyt at 404-936-5695. 3. Leave the key and the two bank bags on the high table in the Community Room for the VPOD at the next service. Set the thermostat to 68 degrees. 4. Turn on lights and fans in the sanctuary and unlock the front door. Place the bulletin box for the ushers on the right countertop just inside the front door. 5. Set thermostat to 68 degrees. 6. In the Community Room, assemble four (4) love bags, each containing a Forward Day by Day, a St. Mark’s Life & Ministry pamphlet, a visitor card, a pen (assure that it works), and one frozen love loaf. Place them in the lower cabinet below the left countertop just inside the front door. 7. At the time of the announcements, move to the open area in front of the altar and introduce yourself. Welcome visitors and invite them (do not insist) to introduce themselves (ushers will present love bags). Encourage all to stay for post-service refreshments. BRIEFLY make any other announcements in accordance with the Intra-Parish Communications Guidelines. 8. After worship, ensure that the attendance count has been recorded by the ushers in the red registry book in the Community Room. Help ushers as needed with offering count, also conducted in the Community Room. 9. Ensure, with ushers help, that used bulletins are collected from the pews and placed neatly back on the narthex countertop for use at the next service (when in good condition). Also ensure that there are sufficient bulletins for the 11 a.m. service. 2 11:00 Service 1. Arrive at the church no later than 10:15 a.m. for the 11:00 service. 2. Determine the number of love bags that remain from the earlier service and assemble enough to have four (4) for the 11:00 service. Each love bag should contain a Forward Day by Day, a St. Mark’s Life & Ministry pamphlet, a visitor card, a pen (assure that it works), and one frozen love loaf. Place any additional love bags in the lower cabinet below the left countertop just inside the front door. 3. Be proactive to ensure that all the parts and pieces are coordinated prior to worship. 4. During the announcements, move to the open area in front of the altar and introduce yourself. Welcome visitors and invite them (do not insist) to introduce themselves (ushers will present love bags). BRIEFLY make any other announcements in accordance with the Intra-Parish Communications Guidelines. 5. After worship, ensure that the attendance count has been recorded by the ushers in the red registry book in the Community Room. Help ushers as needed with offering and with count, also conducted in the Community Room. Return any remaining love bags to the Community Room, placing thawed bread in the refrigerator, not the freezer, for use the following Sunday. 6. Ensure that the front door is locked, ALL lights and fans are off, and the thermostat is reset to its original setting (if needed). Transfer the keys to the church and Center to the sacristan on duty so that he/she can lock up and set the alarm upon completion of the sacristan duties. 7. Return to the Center. Place usher box back in middle room closet and assist in the clean-up from refreshments if needed. Secure trash bag(s) and deposit in the garbage container on the back deck. 8. Set the Center thermostat to temperature noted above the thermostat, ensure Administrator’s office door is locked, turn off the lights and fans (check BOTH bathrooms), gather any name tags lying around and place them in the wicker basket. Lock the Center door and depart in peace. EMERGENCY PROTOCOL St. Mark’s has a trained, volunteer medical response team with members who fan out to cover all services. As VPOD, you may be called upon to assist that team in the evacuation of the church in the event of a medical emergency. It is vital to clear the way for the response team, as well as professional EMS personnel, who will care for the ill or injured person. All communicants seated in the pews facing the front of the church will be evacuated through the front door, down the stairs and away from the doors. Communicants seated in the pews facing each other, as well as the chancel party, will be evacuated through the doors leading to the ramp, then down the ramp and away from the church entrance. 3 SACRISTAN The sacristan is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, the sacred vessels, and vestments. There is a single sacristan assigned for each service and the 9:00 and 11:00 sacristans work together at the end of the early service to facilitate the re-set for the 11:00 service. NOTE TO ALL SACRISTANS: If you take something from the sacristy to your home to clean it, PLEASE let Carter Hoyt know so that it is not reported missing. 9:00 Service 1. Arrive by 8:15 a.m. in order to be complete by 8:45, or set up on Saturday. 2. Enter the church via the side door. Obtain from freezer two bags of communion bread, each bag containing one large priest host, plus 75 small pieces. Microwave the bread for about 30 seconds. 3. If hangings are in place, simply remove the dust cover from the altar. If not already in place, place hangings on the lectern, the credence table and the altar. Altar linens include the altar pad, the Fair Linen, a corporal and a corporal pad. The second Fair Linen is stored on a marked tube on the right end of the vestment closet in the vesting room. Lectern falls and any seasonal altar hangings are in the lateral cabinet in the vesting room. The calendar in the cabinet over the sacristy sink will identify which color lectern fall and service binders will be used on a given day. 4. These items go on the credence table: large cruet of fresh water, two chalices each vested with a purificator, lavabo, towel and spoon.
Recommended publications
  • SAINT BASIL the GREAT ALTAR SERVER MANUAL Prayers of An

    SAINT BASIL the GREAT ALTAR SERVER MANUAL Prayers of An

    SAINT BASIL THE GREAT ALTAR SERVER MANUAL Prayers of an Altar Server O God, You have graciously called me to serve You upon Your altar. Grant me the graces that I need to serve You faithfully and wholeheartedly. Grant too that while serving You, may I follow the example of St. Tarcisius, who died protecting the Eucharist, and walk the same path that led him to Heaven. St. Tarcisius, pray for me and for all servers. ALTAR SERVER'S PRAYER Loving Father, Creator of the universe, You call Your people to worship, to be with You and each other at Mass. Help me, for You have called me also. Keep me prayerful and alert. Help me to help others in prayer. Thank you for the trust You've placed in me. Keep me true to that trust. I make my prayer in Jesus' name, who is with us in the Holy Spirit. Amen. 1 PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS TOP SHEET IMMEDIATELY To the Parent/ Guardian of ______________________________(server): Thank you for supporting your child in volunteering for this very important job as an Altar Server. Being an Altar Server is a great honor – and a responsibility. Servers are responsible for: a) knowing when they are scheduled to serve, and b) finding their own coverage if they cannot attend. (email can help) The schedule is emailed out, prior to when it begins. The schedule is available on the Church website, and published the week before in the Church Bulletin. We have attached the, “St. Basil Altar Server Manual.” After your child attends the two server training sessions, he/she will most likely still feel unsure about the job – that’s OK.
  • Rodman Elected Bishop 'Two Architectural Gems'

    Rodman Elected Bishop 'Two Architectural Gems'

    Volume 45, Number 3. News for the Parish of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church March 2017 Rodman Elected Bishop ‘Two architectural gems’ On Saturday, March 4, the Rev. by the Rev. D. Dixon Kinser, Rector Samuel Rodman was elected XII Bishop Diocesan of the Not long ago, a thick manila Diocese of North Carolina at envelope arrived in my a Special Electing Convention mailbox. Inside was a letter at Canterbury School in from Ed Bouldin, a parishioner Greensboro. St. Paul’s clergy and architect. Ed wrote, attending the convention were “Dear Dixon, 875 West Fifth the Rev. D. Dixon Kinser, the is a mid-century modern Rev. Sara C. Ardrey-Graves, jewel. St. Paul’s now has the Rev. John E. Shields and two architectural gems—St. the Rev. Lauren A. Villemuer- and laity, in collaborative Paul’s designed by Ralph I admit, 875 West Fifth’s Drenth. St. Paul’s lay delegates local and global mission Adams Cram and 875 West primary initial appeal for were Charles Corpening, Bill through the Together Now Fifth designed by George me was the proximity to Goodson, Courtney Kluttz, campaign, helping to raise $20 Matsumoto.” the church and the size and Ruth Prongay, David Tamer million. Prior to that, Rodman flexibility of the space inside. and Bill Wells. spent 16 years as the Rector Ed enclosed a 69-page print- Someone described it as “a of St. Michael’s in Milton, out from the North Carolina classic mid-century box,” and “I am deeply honored and Massachusetts. Modernist Houses web site, I agreed, thinking it is rather grateful and, with God’s help, where Matsumoto is honored boxy.
  • St. Joseph Church Altar Server Instructions 2018 Edition

    St. Joseph Church Altar Server Instructions 2018 Edition

    ST. JOSEPH CHURCH ALTAR SERVER INSTRUCTIONS 2018 EDITION BEFORE MASS Please arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass. If you are going to CCD, please stop before class or have your parents let us know you will be here. Vest with white Monastic Alb and put on cross pendant. Light candles - Light the candle lighters, proceed to the foot of Altar, bow and each take a side. Start with the candles on the altar and light from inside out, Light candles at the back of Altar starting with candle closest to the Crucifix and then down the line till all are lit. Light candles at Tabernacle, check to see if there are others especially in front of Blessed Mary. Meet at foot of Altar bow again and return. A few minutes before Mass, we will gather in the sacristy and the Priest will say a prayer, then all proceed into Narthex. Cross Bearer stands to the side by the last pews. Other Server line up in pairs on either side of the church leaving room for people to get by. If there is incense that would go before the cross and if there are candle holders, they go after the cross. MASS STARTS Cross Bearer starts procession when choir starts to sing and proceeds up the aisle to the foot of the Altar and moves to Joseph’s side all the way in front of the ambo. (pulpit). The rest of the servers follow and move to the side you will be on allowing room for the Deacon and Priest.
  • Altar Server Guide R2

    Altar Server Guide R2

    Altar Server Guide Altar Server Rolls: • Master of Ceremony (MC) • Cross • Candles (2) • Water & Wine • Book (Roman Missal) • Bells (1) I. INTRODUCTORY RITE PROCESSION All altar servers gather in the narthex at the front of the church approximately 5 minutes before the Mass is scheduled to begin. Cross brings the cross and Candles (2) bring the candles with them to the narthex. (MC brings a lighter in case the candles go out) Cross leads the procession to the altar. Candles/Water & Wine follow Cross. Bell follows Candle/ Water. Book follows Candle/Wine. Additional altar servers follow Bell and Book. When the procession reaches the top of the altar, the altar servers who are not carrying anything make a slight bow to the altar and go to their places. Cross and Candle/Wine go to the right. Book after bowing goes directly to the chair next to the book stand. Cross places the cross in the cross holder and remains on the presider side of the altar. Candle/Wine places the candles in the candle holders next to the altar and then go to a place on the credence table side of the altar. Bell also goes to a place on the credence table side of the altar. Any remaining altar servers will go to assigned spaces. All altar servers remain standing praying and singing with the people (congregation). The priest(s) and deacon(s) follow in procession. When they reach the altar they bow. They continue to the rear of the altar and reverence the altar. The presider and deacon(s) proceed to the presiders area.
  • The Carthusian Liturgy by a Carthusian Monk

    The Carthusian Liturgy by a Carthusian Monk

    THE CARTHUSIAN LITURGY: The Mass The Carthusian by a Monk of Parkminster Liturgy by a Parts Two and Three Carthusian Monk (Originally Published in 1940-1, in In a former article (Vol II. No. 12) an account was given of the sources of the Carthusian liturgy, of Magnificat: A Liturgical Quarterly) the mode of life which has formed its distinctive character, and of the spirit which has preserved it Source unaltered. The aim of the present article is to offer an impression of Mass in the Charterhouse, not so by Shawn Tribe much by a description of it, but rather by directing attention to its special mark of simplicity -- a I discovered this piece on the Carthusian liturgy by simplicity based on a definite simplification and way of a footnoted reference in Archdale King's The maintained by a continuity averse to either change Liturgies of the Religious Orders. The original three or addition. part article was published in the liturgical journal, Magnificat from the mid-20th century, being The Carthusian manner of offering Mass arose in written by an English Carthusian of Parkminster. this way: in the year 1084, St. Bruno and his six companions seeking to serve God in solitude were I wrote to Parkminster and a monk there very led by Him to the desert of La Chartreuse, in the kindly sent me a photocopy of the three journals in diocese of Grenoble. As was but natural, the little which the article was found and I thought I would Community began to offer Mass according to the take the time to transcribe the last two of three custom of the place, adapting the ritual to suit that parts which focuses on some of the specifics of the particular kind of monastic life to which they had Carthusian liturgy.
  • Altar Guild Handbook, Rev

    Altar Guild Handbook, Rev

    HANDBOOK FOR ALTAR GUILDS Revised 2014 (Former versions entitled “Altar Guild Manual”) The Episcopal Diocese of Texas i The National Altar Guild Association (NAGA) The purpose of the National Altar Guild Association (NAGA) is to assist parish, diocesan, and provincial altar guilds through information, resources, and communication, including a quarterly newsletter—the EPISTLE www.nationalaltarguildassociation.org National Altar Guild Prayer Most gracious Father Who has called me Your child to serve in the preparation of Your Altar, so that it may be a suitable place for the offering of Your Body and Blood; Sanctify my life and consecrate my hands so that I may worthily handle Those Sacred Gifts which are being offered to You. As I handle holy things, grant that my whole life may be illuminated and blessed by You, in whose honor I prepare them, and grant that the people who shall be blessed by their use, May find their lives drawn closer to Him Whose Body and Blood is our hope and our strength, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. Oh Padre bondadosa, que has llamado a tu hija(o) a sevir en la preparación de Tu Altar, para que sea un lugar digno para la Ofrenda de Tu Cuerpo y de Tu Sangre; Santifica mi vida y consagra mis manos para que de esta manera yo pueda encargarme dignamente de estos Dones Sagrados que te ofrecemos. Mientras sujeto estos santos objetos, concede que mi vida sea iluminada y santificada por Ti, en cuyo honor los preparo, y permite también que el pueblo bendecido por su participación, se una más a Él, Cuyo Cuerpo y Sangre son nuestra esperanza y nuestra fortaleza, Jesucristo nuestro Señor.
  • Wiccan Spells Pagan Spell Black Magic White Magic

    Wiccan Spells Pagan Spell Black Magic White Magic

    THE BOOK OF SHADOWS Wiccan Spells Pagan Spell Black Magic White Magic Owner: Sasha Fierce TABLE OF CONTENTS I. I. ASTRAL PROJECTION 4 Sinus-clearing candle 12 Monroe technique 4 Candle spell to get a job 12 II. BLESSINGS 6 All purpose candle anointing oil 12 Computer Blessing 6 Color correspondences for candle magic 13 God and Goddess Blessing 6 Dressing a candle for ritual 13 A Nightmare Blessing 6 Candle magic 2 13 III. CANDLE MAGIC 6 Creating a candle magic 14 Candle Rituals 7 Candle spell against psychic attack 15 Friendship candle spell 8 Adoration candle magic 15 Love spell 8 Candle binding 15 Cast a witch's lucky candle spell 8 Candle spell for justice or help in Candle spell to top harassment 8 legal matters 15 White candle spell for blessing 9 Health spell 16 A candle binding 9 To make a candle 16 to reverse spells cast with candle magic 9 Healing fire candle spell 16 Basic candle spell 9 Quick candle healing spell 16 Candle Magic 10 Healing candle spell 16 Candle correspondences 10 Candle justice spell 16 Spell to change a situation from bad to Reversing crossed conditions with good 11 a black candle 17 Witch's healing candle spell 11 Pressed flower candles 17 Reversing a candle spell 11 Colors for candles 17 Spell to change fate 11 Candles for passionate love spell 17 New job candle burning magic 11 Prosperity spell 17 New employment job spell 12 Love spell 2 18 Creating candle magic 18 Making a rune set 31 Candle color correspondences 19 Candle sleep spell 19 IX.
  • St Stephen's BELVEDERE

    St Stephen's BELVEDERE

    Welcome to St Stephen’s BELVEDERE ost often, bread is shared food. In the ancient world, a large loaf usually sat at the center of the table, from which guests would tear off portions with their hands — an earthy, tactile breaking of bread Mtogether. The food of both kings and paupers, men and women, rich and poor, slave and free, through the ages bread has remained a staple of sustenance as everyone’s food, symbolizing unity and hospitality. As a final act of love before his crucifixion, Jesus breaks bread with his followers. And right after his resurrection he meets the disciples on the shore with baked bread — an act of peace and reconciliation. Welcome to St Stephen’s, a community grounded in sharing the bread of life. To our visitors, newcomers, and seekers: n The Bishop’s Office requests that, indoors, the congregation wear masks. They may be removed to receive the Sacrament of Communion. n If you’re new, please email [email protected] to let us know who you are, to ask questions, or to make comments. n Donations and Contributions can be made online at https://www.ststephenschurch.org/give/ n If you are ready to inquire about membership, want us to pray for you or someone you name, or you’d like a call from one of our priests, please email [email protected]. n For all current information and schedules, please check the church website St Stephen’s Calendar page. 8th August 2021 | The Tenth Sunday after Trinity — Altar Flowers — The flowers at the altar today are given by Bonnie & Steve Echerd to the glory of God, with love and in honor Barbara Berling’s birthday.
  • 3-Step Plan Article #9 Conduct of the Service by ACP" (45 Pages)

    3-Step Plan Article #9 Conduct of the Service by ACP" (45 Pages)

    File Name: "3-Step Plan Article #9 Conduct of the Service by ACP" (45 pages) THE CONDUCT OF THE SERVICE According to the Rubrics of The Lutheran Hymnal, The Lutheran Liturgy, The Lutheran Lectionary, and The Music for the Liturgy1 By Arthur Carl Piepkorn (1907-1973☩) Concordia Seminary Print Shop, 1965. 44 pages. Edited by Philip James Secker. Revised 3/17/19. 40 pages. Editor's Note: Arthur Carl Piepkorn's classic monograph The Conduct of the Service is primarily about the rubrics of the Service, but contains a great deal of information about what is in Piepkorn's 1962 classic monograph The Architectural Requirements of the Lutheran Cultus (which is in 3-Step Plan Article #7 The Full 3-step Plan). "Cultus" is a Latin loan word that refers to adiaphora, that is, things that are neither commanded nor forbidden by God such as architecture, altars, banners, baptismal fonts, candles, holy communion vessels and rails, hymnals, musical instruments, offering plates, pews, unleavened holy communion wafers, vestments, etc. So both monographs should be used together. The following book is now available as a computer searchable CD that can be searched for additional information on what is in those two monographs: The Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, edited and introduced by Philip J. Secker, Foreword by Robert Kolb, Volume 2 in The Selected Writings of Arthur Carl Piepkorn, CEC Press, 2007, 313 pages. This edition of The Conduct of the Service is Copyright©2018 Philip James Secker but may be reproduced as long as it is reproduced in its entirety.
  • Thurifer Procedures V2

    Thurifer Procedures V2

    Thurifer Procedures March 31, 2021 INTRODUCTION “Thurification or incensation is an expression of reverence and of prayer, as is signified in Sacred Scripture” (GIRM, 276). Incense is one of the oldest and richest signs of prayer and worship in our liturgy. We read about frankincense as one of the gifts of the Magi at the nativity of Our Lord. We read of the prayers of the faithful rising as incense in the throne-room of heaven in Revelations. It is a fragrant perfume offered to God. Incense is made from gum olibanum, a precious resin from the boswellia carterii bush in Southern Arabia. To this basic ingredient other spices are added to vary the perfume. The grains of incense, carried in the boat, are scooped into the thurible by the priest where they are burned on charcoal disks to create the incense smoke. Per the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM, 276), incense may be used optionally at any Mass: a) during the Entrance Procession; b) at the beginning of Mass, to incense the cross and the altar; c) at the procession before the Gospel and the proclamation of the Gospel itself; d) after the bread and the chalice have been placed on the altar, to incense the offerings, the cross, and the altar, as well as the Priest and the people; e) at the elevation of the host and the chalice after the Consecration. There is a long liturgical tradition of service at the altar for lay ministers (non- clergy), including lectors, sacristans, and altar servers. Thurifer is one of the more solemn and important roles for altar servers.
  • Draft Liturgical Plan

    Draft Liturgical Plan

    Draft Liturgical Plan January 2021 Figure 1: gathering in Cathedral Square before the Palm Sunday procession, 2018 2 Worcester Cathedral Draft Liturgical Plan Contents List of Figures 4 Preface 5 1 Historical Introduction 7 2 The Shape of the Liturgy 12 (a) The eucharist, baptism and other celebrations in the context of the eucharist 12 (b) The daily office 14 (c) Times and seasons 15 (d) Other pastoral and liturgical celebrations 19 (e) Institutions and installations 20 (f) Art and liturgy 21 3 The Chapels 21 4 The Bells 23 5 Events 24 6 Areas for Development 27 (a) Disability access 27 (b) How to furnish the quire? 27 (c) How to furnish the nave? 30 (d) How can the organs best serve the whole cathedral? 33 (e) The font: flexible or fixed? 33 (f) How can we enable visitors to pray? 35 (g) Where to reserve the blessed sacrament? 41 (h) The shrines of the saints 47 3 List of Figures 1 Gathering in Cathedral Square before the Palm Sunday procession, 2018 2 2 Plan of Worcester Cathedral 6 3 Digital reconstruction by the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture 9 of the location of the shrines of St Wulfstan and St Oswald, c. 1250 4 The Bodley font 11 5 Bowl on table, currently used as a font 14 6 Processional route from Cathedral Square on Palm Sunday 17 7 Processional route from the cloisters for services in the quire 27 8 Brass quire altar rails 28 9 Wooden altar rails used in the quire 29 10 Processional route from the cloisters for services in the nave 30 11 Assemblage of nave altar, choir stalls, ministers’ seats and platforms
  • Altar Server Instructions

    Altar Server Instructions

    ALTAR SERVER INSTRUCTIONS Transfiguration Catholic Church APRIL 19, 2018 Rev. 4/19/2018 THE MINISTRY OF ALTAR SERVER It is a great privilege to serve at the Altar of our God and therefore Servers are on- ly chosen from among those who display a desire for a more intimate union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. Our loving Savior becomes present on the Altar as He was present at the Last Supper and at Calvary. Accordingly, Servers have a solemn responsibility to carry out their assigned duties with dignity and rever- ence. Transfiguration Catholic Church has Altar Servers, both boys and girls, who may start serving after their First Communion. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALTAR SERVERS Altar Servers must be mindful of the sacredness of their duties at all times. Therefore, they should refrain from socializing and unnecessary talk before and during Mass. Quarreling or disputes over the assignment of duties are never appropriate and indicate that one is not ready to continue in this ministry. Servers must be on time for their assigned Mass. Servers who know in advance that they will be absent from an assigned Mass must recruit their substitutes from the list of Altar Servers and then inform the Director of Altar Servers of the substitution. DRESS CODE FOR ALTAR SERVERS Shoes: Dress shoes should be worn, preferably black or brown shoes for boys and brown, black or white for girls. Tennis shoes, sneakers and sandals are not right for the altar. Hair: Hair should be neat and trimmed, appropriate for boys and girls. Jewelry: Do not wear anything that will make noise or will be distracting or that will cause you to have problems serving.