At Every Service, We Need: • a Crucifer • an Acolyte • a Eucharistic Minister

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES “They serve [God] in worship day and night in His temple” (Revelation 7:15b) At every service, we need:  A Crucifer  An Acolyte  A Eucharistic Minister  Two Lay Readers The Crucifer carries the cross toward the altar at the beginning of the processional (opening) hymn; during the Gospel procession; and away from the altar as we begin the recessional (closing) hymn. The Crucifer also has the responsibility for ringing the “Sanctus bell” during the Communion liturgy. This consists of ringing the bell three times during the “Sanctus,” once for each “Holy, Holy, Holy” that is sung or said. The Crucifer also rings the bell six times during the priest’s consecration of the bread and wine. Once when the priest elevates the bread or wine; a second time when the priest sets the Sacrament down on the altar; and a third time when the priest bows or genuflects immediately afterward. The Crucifer also receives the offering from the ushers and gives it to the priest for blessing, then puts away the plates. The Acolyte is responsible for lighting the candles before Mass begins, and extinguishing them after the recessional hymn. Primarily the Acolyte is responsible for assisting the priest in setting up and putting away the Communion. At the time of the Offering, the Acolyte takes the bread and wine from the ushers and prepares these for the priest’s use. The Acolyte also prepares water, a lavabo bowl, and a ‘towel’ for the priest to wash his or her hands before the Communion. After the Communion, the Acolyte receives the Chalice, paten, etc. from the priest and returns these to the credence table. If anyone is taking home Communion out, the Acolyte is responsible for preparing the kit for the priest to fill at the altar after everyone has communed. This requires opening one of the 2 kits and placing it on the altar, removing the flagon (holds wine) and the ciborium (holds hosts), and having the correct-sized funnel ready for the wine to be poured into the flagon. The Eucharistic Minister carries the Gospel Book in the opening procession and during the recession; reads the Epistle lesson; and assists the priest in serving Communion by offering the chalice to the communicants. As such, the Eucharistic Minister is responsible for ensuring that the Gospel Book is set for that Sunday’s reading, will practice the Epistle reading so as to be well prepared, and will accompany the priest out into the congregation if anyone needs to receive the Sacrament in the pew. Lay Readers are responsible for reading the Old Testament, Psalm, and Prayers of the People. A lector should be someone with a strong, clear voice who enunciates well, and can read Scripture in such a way as to convey well its meaning. Each Sunday’s lessons are emailed to the Lay Readers in advance, so they can practice to be well prepared. Occasionally, Lay Readers are needed for special services other than Sundays, e.g., during Holy Week, or occasional services such as The National Day of Prayer; or they may be called upon to read additional parts of the liturgy, such as Prayers for the Candidate at a Baptism, etc.