JOB DESCRIPTIONS
The Amazing Grace program seeks to welcome and involve church members in the responsibilities needed for Sunday morning worship. Each Sunday service requires a minimum of ten (10) people to cover these responsibilities. These categories are Greeter, Name Tags, Ushers, Lector, Altar, Communion Assisting Ministers, and Nursery.
In addition, the Coffee Hour after the service is the duty of the team. Committee Special Events are worked by those members: Outreach/Evangelism, Christian Education, and Stewardship. Potlucks are either worked by committee sponsoring them or a Work Group is assigned at request of group sponsoring event.
Listed below are some of the guidelines for performing the services necessary for Sunday worship and fellowship. Although each person is scheduled for specific duties, the entire monthly team is responsible for the smooth operation of the service. You are asked to watch and be aware, and to help where help is needed.
If you are unable to fulfill your Sunday commitment, please alert your team leader as soon as possible who will then go to the office list of substitutes to call in this situation. If circumstances prevent you from participating on the month you are assigned, try to help out in another month. The schedule is posted on the office glass.
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COFFEE HOUR PREPARATION
* Preparation and Cleanup of Coffee
Prepare for coffee (instructions for making coffee are posted inside the coffee cabinet)
o The Altar people will set up Regular Coffee in the 40-cup percolator and Decaf coffee in the Bunn filter with a pitcher of water when it is time to serve.
o Regular coffee is plugged in and decaf coffee and goodies arranged by the Greeter.
o Set out bowls of creamer, sugar, and tea bags, several spoons, napkins, juice glasses, coffee cups, donation bowl
o Inform church office manager if you notice a need to order more coffee or other supplies. You may also leave a note on the whiteboard on the refrigerator. There is a shelving area upstairs from the kitchen where bulk supplies are stored
* All members of the Amazing Grace weekly team are expected to help with the coffee hour. All members of Amazing Grace for that month are asked to help with coffee, if needed.
Note: Serving and Clean-up by the team
o Plug in and turn on hot water pot for tea
o Pour juice (located in refrigerator)
o Serve coffee
o Wash cups, glasses, and any other dishes in the dishwasher. Directions for using the dishwasher are posted. There is a warm- up period.
o Wipe off tables with soapy water
o Rinse and store coffee pots
o Freeze any unused goodies
o Leave the kitchen clean and neat
o Bring home towels to clean and return next week
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Communion Assisting Ministers Guidelines
* Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at Grace.
1. Two stations are used for receiving wine and One station for juice on the left. This will necessitate three people for distribution each Sunday.
2. Procedure for Communion Assisting Minister: after Lord’s Prayer, come to the Altar, receives a chalice and move to your position.
3. To each communicant say, “the blood of Christ shed for you.” Look at the person when possible. Hold cup with both hands. (When you see a need to assist a person with getting a cup or steadying their hand. please do so.)
4. One chalice bearer will need to go with Pastor to pews. Other goes to Altar, puts cup in center and awaits Pastor to return. Can stand or sit with acolyte. Receive communion then go to your seat immediately.
5. Schedule – Please sign up to assist on the schedule on the bulletin board in the office.
6. Appropriate attire – dress appropriately, no shirts with messages, name badges encouraged, wash hands before worship, use Purel during flu season.
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Altar Care
At some time prior to Sunday morning:
* Post hymn numbers and check pew pencils· Prepare for coffee (instructions for making coffee are posted inside the coffee cabinet)
* The Altar people will set up Regular Coffee in the 40 cup percolator and Decaf coffee in the Bunn filter with a pitcher of water when it is time to serve.
o Set out bowls of creamer, sugar, and tea bags, several spoons, napkins, juice glasses, coffee cups, donation bowl
o Inform church office manager if you notice a need to order more coffee or other supplies. You may leave a note on the whiteboard on the refrigerator. There is a shelving area upstairs from the kitchen where bulk supplies are stored
o Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
* Set up for communion and clean up after the service(Instructions are posted in the sacristy-room behind the altar)
Holy Communion Setup
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday at Grace. Your role in preparing for Holy Communion is very important and appreciated.
1. Please thoroughly wash hands before preparing for communion.
2. We have three stations at the front of the church, two for receiving wine and one for grape juice. The communicant receives the bread from the Pastor and then moves to their right or left to receive wine.
3. We will ordinarily use two silver plated pouring chalices to distribute the wine. The communicant comes forward, receives bread from the Pastor, eats the bread, picks up a plastic cup, receives wine poured into the cup, drinks the wine, places the empty cup in a basket located at the end of the first pew and then returns to their seat.
4. All communion-ware is located in the tall cabinet. Linens are on a shelf near the window.
5. Due to the desire to avoid cross-contamination, gluten-free wafers should be prepared first.
6. Gluten-Free Wafers – Preparing the gluten-free wafers is a very careful process. Crossover from bread to gluten-free wafer can cause someone with Celiac Disease to become ill. However, if you follow the steps carefully, you have no need to worry!
a. Wash your hands thoroughly, and then dry with an unused towel.
b. Pull out a small plate from the cabinet, and then an unused purificator (linen napkin.) There are small purificators with a white cross that can be folded in half. Place the purificator on the plate, unfolding one fold so that the wafers will sit completely touching only the purificator.
c. Locate the bag of gluten-free wafers on the shelf, and open the bag, attempting to touch only the outside of the bag. Pour 5 wafers directly onto the purificator, then seal the bag shut again.
d. Cover the wafers with final fold of the purificator, and take the plate directly out to the altar, placing it slightly to the right of the candlestick. Then proceed with the bread and wine. Thank you for your care in this process.
7. Bread – For most Sundays 2 loaves are adequate. Homemade communion bread is kept in the kitchen freezer. (Bring up 3 loaves, leave one as back-up in the sacristy fridge.) Notify the church office if we are running low on bread. On Sunday morning, use the cutting board and knife to cut two loaves into bite-sized pieces and put in a basket with a white linen on the bottom and white linen with white cross on the top.
8. Wine – Wine is located in the tall cabinet on the bottom shelf. Fill the glass flagon (decanter) with 3 and ½ cups of wine using the red funnel. There is a measuring cup on the shelving unit. Do not put any wine in the chalices. A purificator (napkin) should be placed on each chalice. Notify the church office if we are running low on wine.
9. Grape juice - White grape juice is located in the sacristy fridge, and should not be opened until Sunday morning. A purificator should be placed on the chalice. Notify the church office if we are running low on grape juice.
10. Altar Setup - Items to be placed on the altar include three pouring chalices, one glass flagon (decanter), and one silver paten, and one gluten-free plate. Purificators (linen napkins) are placed on each of the chalices, and the flagon. A special white embroidered cloth is placed on the basket or paten. The purificators on the chalices should be folded in thirds. (See pictures for folding.) Also put five plastic cups on a small plate at the base of the candle stick.
See the pictures for placement of the vessels on the altar.
11. Baskets – Two baskets with plastic cups should be placed on stands. Place 75 cups in each of the baskets on the stands. These cups need to be separated.
An empty basket should be placed on the outside corners of the front two pews. (One on each side.) Put black linen in each basket to catch wine from used cups. A white paper napkin should be placed on the side of each of these baskets in the pews. (This napkin is to wipe up spills should they occur.) Extra napkins are in kitchen area downstairs.
12. Clean up - After worship is over take communion ware to the Sacristy. Pour chalice wine and juice outside on the ground. If there is a good deal of leftover bread, you may set it aside to be used at pastor’s discretion in coming weeks. If there is a small amount left, you may eat the leftover bread. Please pour all crumbs on the ground outside. On Sundays with wafers, place the leftover wafers in a zip lock bag. Please eat any leftover gluten-free wafers (or crumble them on the ground outside) – do not return them to the bag.
All vessels should be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed and dried. This must be done immediately after worship. Do not use anything abrasive on vessels. Do not immerse chalices into the water. There is a small tub under the sink. Use sponge to wash vessels. (Sponges can be washed in an automatic dish washer if necessary.) Return vessels to storage bags and place on shelves. Soiled or stained purificators (napkins) should be washed, ironed and returned by next Sunday. The purificators should be folded in thirds so they can easily be draped over the chalices. (See pictures for folding.)
13. Oxiclean (or something similar) should be used in washing the linens. Take some from the container on the counter home if you need it. Small plastic bags are located under the counter. Note that we have an Oxiclean pen for Altar linen stains. Put a towel under the linen, put a dab of the Oxiclean on the spot, let is set as long as possible, then put a small dish of hot water under the stain and rinse the spot out. Rinse several times. Leave a towel under the linen to protect the Altar wood. Pastor will remove it.
14. Post hymn numbers on hymn board and check pencils.
15. Prepare Communion Kits for parish visitors when requested (office will call and/or leave a note on sacristy counter).
Communion Kits - Holy Communion Setup
Grace Lutheran Church has a group that is called Parish Visitors. This group of about 15 people has been visiting some of our people who are in Special Circumstances. This includes people in the nursing home, Carefree Living, and others who are not able to worship with us on Sunday mornings. Parish Visitors may take Holy Communion to the people they visit. We will send bread and wine from Sunday’s celebration of Holy Communion to provide the benefits of Christ’s body and blood. Also this will be a sign of the unity that we share with them through this sacrament.
In order for this to take place, we will need your help. Six Communion kits have been purchased and are on a lower shelf in the Sacristy. The Parish Visitors will make their request for a communion kit through the church office. We will then put a note on the counter in the Sacristy asking you to prepare the kit. Unless it indicates otherwise you should fill the wine container half full and put two wafers in the bread container. If the Parish Visitor will be visiting more than one person then add one wafer per person and a little more wine. (On occasion you may be asked to provide grape juice rather than wine.) Also include one of the paper napkins folded in half. Then place the kit on the right hand front corner of the Altar for Sunday (as you face the altar).
The communion kits will be returned during the week and should have been washed, but check to make sure there is no left over wine or wafers. The wafers can be put in the container of wafers. Wine can be poured on the ground.
Thank you for your assistance in this important ministry of Grace Lutheran Church.
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Greeter
1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the service
2. Plug in the regular coffee pot prior to the service. Altar Care Team will prepare the regular coffee pot ahead of time. Make decaf in the Bunn.
a. Use the Bunn to make additional regular and decaf coffee, as needed.
3. Arrange goodies on trays
4. Wear a name tag (found in outer office)
5. Welcome all worshipers
6. Be ready to give directions, offer help as needed
7. Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
Name Tags
1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the service
2. Set up table with boxes of name badges and lanyards
a. Located under the mailboxes in the outer office
3. Distribute badges to worshipers as they arrive
a. Direct people to pick up a lanyard and clip on the badge. Assist, if needed
4. Welcome visitors and encourage them to make a temporary stick-on name tag.
a. Blank badges are located in the back of one of the boxes
5. After service be available to help with collecting badges and lanyards
a. Set out the empty plastic container
b. Worshipers are encouraged to separate and return their badges and lanyards to the appropriate place on the table
6. Alphabetize the badges and return the containers to the office
7. Help serve and clean up at the coffee hour
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Guidelines for Lectors
· The readings for Sunday are listed in the prior week’s bulletin. You may call the Office Manager to send a copy of these readings to your email address or pick up a copy of the Sunday bulletin on Thursday or Friday.
· Ordinarily you will be reading the First and Second Lessons, separated by the Psalm, which you will lead responsively
· Practice your reading prior to Sunday, paying attention to pace, pitch, volume and vocal quality. (Not too fast or slow, too loud or soft) If there are difficult words or names, ask the Pastor for help with pronunciations.
· On Sunday, check the bulletin for when the readings take place (If the choir is singing, they usually sing immediately before the first reading)
· Introduce the reading with “A reading from…………” (No need for chapter and verse)
· Conclude reading as indicated in the bulletin, i.e. “The word of the Lord” or “Word of God, Word of Life”, to be followed by congregational “Thanks be to God.”
· Please help serve and clean up for coffee hour.
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* NURSERY ASSISTANT
Amazing Grace Assistant: Only assist when the Professional Hire is present.
· Be ready in the nursery at least 15 minutes prior to the service
· No more than two times by one person during your month
· Stay until all children are picked up by their parents
· Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
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USHER GUIDELINES
Thank you for serving as an usher. You are a minister of hospitality for Grace Lutheran Church. Your task is to welcome all who come together to worship God. When worship has ended and people return to their homes, their impressions and opinions of our church are significantly shaped by the ministry you have provided.
1. Arrive 30 minutes before worship begins. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Put on your name badge. Unlock the outside door to the elevator.
2. Make sure all necessary lights are on but do not do the sound system. A dedicated team is assigned to that task. The circuit breakers are used as on-off switches and are located in the closet on the right as you enter the sanctuary from the narthex. Assess seating and suggest/usher people in as seating becomes scarce.
3. Stand at the entrance into the Sanctuary, greet worshipers and distribute bulletins and children’s worship bulletins/bags. If a baptism is taking place there will be an insert. On Christmas Eve individual candles will be distributed.
4. If no acolyte is present, you may be asked to light and extinguish the candles.
5. Seat late arrivals during singing only, not during prayer or reading.
6. Count number of worshipers and enter in Usher’s report book located in the cabinet in the Narthex. Include all people in the Sanctuary, Nursery, Sunday School, etc.
7. Collect registration slips during the Hymn of the Day
8. Collect the Offering at the appointed time, usually following the sharing of the Peace. Don’t forget parishioners sitting in the Choir Loft when choir is not singing.
9. Combine offering into two plates. Bring Offering to the Acolyte who will be standing at the Altar. Do this as the people stand to sing the Offertory hymn. Return immediately to the Narthex after giving the Offering plates to the acolyte.
10. Please make every effort to be helpful, caring and accommodating. If you are aware of visitors, ask if there is any way in which you can assist them.
11. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday.
· Following the Lord’s Prayer people are seated. People on both sides of the center aisle are communed at the same time. As soon as Pastor and Assistants are in place, two ushers come down center aisle to invite people in the front pews to come forward for communion. Work your way toward the back of the Sanctuary facing the front. Try to avoid having a long line of people in the aisle. Have a maximum of about six to eight people in line at a time.
· People in the choir section and side pew on the opposite side should be ushered LAST. An usher should direct them to go to the back and then up the center aisle.
· When Sunday School is in session, the children and teachers should be invited to come upstairs following the offering. Sunday School rooms include lower level and the room down the hall from the church office. Ordinarily they will come forward first and then the first row of communicants.
· Ushers commune last and tell the Pastor if there is anyone who needs to receive communion. Ushers then stand next to people who need to receive it.
12. After the final hymn and Dismissal, one usher goes to front pew and invites people pew by pew to exit.
13. One Usher should work with the member of the Finance Committee (team of Counters) in the counting of the offering.
14. Turn off all lights including the sconces in the choir loft. Make sure candles are extinguished.
15. Go through pews, remove bulletins and other debris and arrange hymnals in proper spots. Put bulletins in the church office for recycling.
16. Baptisms – Assist participants in a baptism and their families in any way that you can. Ordinarily seat them in the front pews on the pulpit side. The pastor instructs the parents prior to baptism and invites the families to receive communion on the day of the baptism. They may not be familiar with our customs so ushers should come forward and invite them to come to communion at the appropriate time.
17. Help serve and clean up for coffee hour. Lock elevator before leaving the church.
Important to Know
1. Where restrooms are located downstairs.
2. Where those in wheelchairs may be seated. A wheelchair is located in Fellowship Hall by the elevator.
3. A first aid kit is located in the kitchen.
4. Fire extinguishers are located in the Narthex behind door, Narthex entry into Sanctuary, north stairway down from Sanctuary, bottom of north stairway next to Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Fellowship Hall, Lobby, Office, Living Room, and at end of Lobby hallway.
5. Defibrillator (AED) is located in the Lobby on the wall in the green case.
Call 911 in an emergency (outer office and kitchen phones- you must dial 9 first). One Usher should work with the member of the Finance Committee (team of Counters) in the counting of the offering.
The Amazing Grace program seeks to welcome and involve church members in the responsibilities needed for Sunday morning worship. Each Sunday service requires a minimum of ten (10) people to cover these responsibilities. These categories are Greeter, Name Tags, Ushers, Lector, Altar, Communion Assisting Ministers, and Nursery.
In addition, the Coffee Hour after the service is the duty of the team. Committee Special Events are worked by those members: Outreach/Evangelism, Christian Education, and Stewardship. Potlucks are either worked by committee sponsoring them or a Work Group is assigned at request of group sponsoring event.
Listed below are some of the guidelines for performing the services necessary for Sunday worship and fellowship. Although each person is scheduled for specific duties, the entire monthly team is responsible for the smooth operation of the service. You are asked to watch and be aware, and to help where help is needed.
If you are unable to fulfill your Sunday commitment, please alert your team leader as soon as possible who will then go to the office list of substitutes to call in this situation. If circumstances prevent you from participating on the month you are assigned, try to help out in another month. The schedule is posted on the office glass.
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COFFEE HOUR PREPARATION
* Preparation and Cleanup of Coffee
Prepare for coffee (instructions for making coffee are posted inside the coffee cabinet)
o The Altar people will set up Regular Coffee in the 40-cup percolator and Decaf coffee in the Bunn filter with a pitcher of water when it is time to serve.
o Regular coffee is plugged in and decaf coffee and goodies arranged by the Greeter.
o Set out bowls of creamer, sugar, and tea bags, several spoons, napkins, juice glasses, coffee cups, donation bowl
o Inform church office manager if you notice a need to order more coffee or other supplies. You may also leave a note on the whiteboard on the refrigerator. There is a shelving area upstairs from the kitchen where bulk supplies are stored
* All members of the Amazing Grace weekly team are expected to help with the coffee hour. All members of Amazing Grace for that month are asked to help with coffee, if needed.
Note: Serving and Clean-up by the team
o Plug in and turn on hot water pot for tea
o Pour juice (located in refrigerator)
o Serve coffee
o Wash cups, glasses, and any other dishes in the dishwasher. Directions for using the dishwasher are posted. There is a warm- up period.
o Wipe off tables with soapy water
o Rinse and store coffee pots
o Freeze any unused goodies
o Leave the kitchen clean and neat
o Bring home towels to clean and return next week
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Communion Assisting Ministers Guidelines
* Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at Grace.
1. Two stations are used for receiving wine and One station for juice on the left. This will necessitate three people for distribution each Sunday.
2. Procedure for Communion Assisting Minister: after Lord’s Prayer, come to the Altar, receives a chalice and move to your position.
3. To each communicant say, “the blood of Christ shed for you.” Look at the person when possible. Hold cup with both hands. (When you see a need to assist a person with getting a cup or steadying their hand. please do so.)
4. One chalice bearer will need to go with Pastor to pews. Other goes to Altar, puts cup in center and awaits Pastor to return. Can stand or sit with acolyte. Receive communion then go to your seat immediately.
5. Schedule – Please sign up to assist on the schedule on the bulletin board in the office.
6. Appropriate attire – dress appropriately, no shirts with messages, name badges encouraged, wash hands before worship, use Purel during flu season.
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Altar Care
At some time prior to Sunday morning:
* Post hymn numbers and check pew pencils· Prepare for coffee (instructions for making coffee are posted inside the coffee cabinet)
* The Altar people will set up Regular Coffee in the 40 cup percolator and Decaf coffee in the Bunn filter with a pitcher of water when it is time to serve.
o Set out bowls of creamer, sugar, and tea bags, several spoons, napkins, juice glasses, coffee cups, donation bowl
o Inform church office manager if you notice a need to order more coffee or other supplies. You may leave a note on the whiteboard on the refrigerator. There is a shelving area upstairs from the kitchen where bulk supplies are stored
o Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
* Set up for communion and clean up after the service(Instructions are posted in the sacristy-room behind the altar)
Holy Communion Setup
We celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday at Grace. Your role in preparing for Holy Communion is very important and appreciated.
1. Please thoroughly wash hands before preparing for communion.
2. We have three stations at the front of the church, two for receiving wine and one for grape juice. The communicant receives the bread from the Pastor and then moves to their right or left to receive wine.
3. We will ordinarily use two silver plated pouring chalices to distribute the wine. The communicant comes forward, receives bread from the Pastor, eats the bread, picks up a plastic cup, receives wine poured into the cup, drinks the wine, places the empty cup in a basket located at the end of the first pew and then returns to their seat.
4. All communion-ware is located in the tall cabinet. Linens are on a shelf near the window.
5. Due to the desire to avoid cross-contamination, gluten-free wafers should be prepared first.
6. Gluten-Free Wafers – Preparing the gluten-free wafers is a very careful process. Crossover from bread to gluten-free wafer can cause someone with Celiac Disease to become ill. However, if you follow the steps carefully, you have no need to worry!
a. Wash your hands thoroughly, and then dry with an unused towel.
b. Pull out a small plate from the cabinet, and then an unused purificator (linen napkin.) There are small purificators with a white cross that can be folded in half. Place the purificator on the plate, unfolding one fold so that the wafers will sit completely touching only the purificator.
c. Locate the bag of gluten-free wafers on the shelf, and open the bag, attempting to touch only the outside of the bag. Pour 5 wafers directly onto the purificator, then seal the bag shut again.
d. Cover the wafers with final fold of the purificator, and take the plate directly out to the altar, placing it slightly to the right of the candlestick. Then proceed with the bread and wine. Thank you for your care in this process.
7. Bread – For most Sundays 2 loaves are adequate. Homemade communion bread is kept in the kitchen freezer. (Bring up 3 loaves, leave one as back-up in the sacristy fridge.) Notify the church office if we are running low on bread. On Sunday morning, use the cutting board and knife to cut two loaves into bite-sized pieces and put in a basket with a white linen on the bottom and white linen with white cross on the top.
8. Wine – Wine is located in the tall cabinet on the bottom shelf. Fill the glass flagon (decanter) with 3 and ½ cups of wine using the red funnel. There is a measuring cup on the shelving unit. Do not put any wine in the chalices. A purificator (napkin) should be placed on each chalice. Notify the church office if we are running low on wine.
9. Grape juice - White grape juice is located in the sacristy fridge, and should not be opened until Sunday morning. A purificator should be placed on the chalice. Notify the church office if we are running low on grape juice.
10. Altar Setup - Items to be placed on the altar include three pouring chalices, one glass flagon (decanter), and one silver paten, and one gluten-free plate. Purificators (linen napkins) are placed on each of the chalices, and the flagon. A special white embroidered cloth is placed on the basket or paten. The purificators on the chalices should be folded in thirds. (See pictures for folding.) Also put five plastic cups on a small plate at the base of the candle stick.
See the pictures for placement of the vessels on the altar.
11. Baskets – Two baskets with plastic cups should be placed on stands. Place 75 cups in each of the baskets on the stands. These cups need to be separated.
An empty basket should be placed on the outside corners of the front two pews. (One on each side.) Put black linen in each basket to catch wine from used cups. A white paper napkin should be placed on the side of each of these baskets in the pews. (This napkin is to wipe up spills should they occur.) Extra napkins are in kitchen area downstairs.
12. Clean up - After worship is over take communion ware to the Sacristy. Pour chalice wine and juice outside on the ground. If there is a good deal of leftover bread, you may set it aside to be used at pastor’s discretion in coming weeks. If there is a small amount left, you may eat the leftover bread. Please pour all crumbs on the ground outside. On Sundays with wafers, place the leftover wafers in a zip lock bag. Please eat any leftover gluten-free wafers (or crumble them on the ground outside) – do not return them to the bag.
All vessels should be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed and dried. This must be done immediately after worship. Do not use anything abrasive on vessels. Do not immerse chalices into the water. There is a small tub under the sink. Use sponge to wash vessels. (Sponges can be washed in an automatic dish washer if necessary.) Return vessels to storage bags and place on shelves. Soiled or stained purificators (napkins) should be washed, ironed and returned by next Sunday. The purificators should be folded in thirds so they can easily be draped over the chalices. (See pictures for folding.)
13. Oxiclean (or something similar) should be used in washing the linens. Take some from the container on the counter home if you need it. Small plastic bags are located under the counter. Note that we have an Oxiclean pen for Altar linen stains. Put a towel under the linen, put a dab of the Oxiclean on the spot, let is set as long as possible, then put a small dish of hot water under the stain and rinse the spot out. Rinse several times. Leave a towel under the linen to protect the Altar wood. Pastor will remove it.
14. Post hymn numbers on hymn board and check pencils.
15. Prepare Communion Kits for parish visitors when requested (office will call and/or leave a note on sacristy counter).
Communion Kits - Holy Communion Setup
Grace Lutheran Church has a group that is called Parish Visitors. This group of about 15 people has been visiting some of our people who are in Special Circumstances. This includes people in the nursing home, Carefree Living, and others who are not able to worship with us on Sunday mornings. Parish Visitors may take Holy Communion to the people they visit. We will send bread and wine from Sunday’s celebration of Holy Communion to provide the benefits of Christ’s body and blood. Also this will be a sign of the unity that we share with them through this sacrament.
In order for this to take place, we will need your help. Six Communion kits have been purchased and are on a lower shelf in the Sacristy. The Parish Visitors will make their request for a communion kit through the church office. We will then put a note on the counter in the Sacristy asking you to prepare the kit. Unless it indicates otherwise you should fill the wine container half full and put two wafers in the bread container. If the Parish Visitor will be visiting more than one person then add one wafer per person and a little more wine. (On occasion you may be asked to provide grape juice rather than wine.) Also include one of the paper napkins folded in half. Then place the kit on the right hand front corner of the Altar for Sunday (as you face the altar).
The communion kits will be returned during the week and should have been washed, but check to make sure there is no left over wine or wafers. The wafers can be put in the container of wafers. Wine can be poured on the ground.
Thank you for your assistance in this important ministry of Grace Lutheran Church.
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Greeter
1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the service
2. Plug in the regular coffee pot prior to the service. Altar Care Team will prepare the regular coffee pot ahead of time. Make decaf in the Bunn.
a. Use the Bunn to make additional regular and decaf coffee, as needed.
3. Arrange goodies on trays
4. Wear a name tag (found in outer office)
5. Welcome all worshipers
6. Be ready to give directions, offer help as needed
7. Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
Name Tags
1. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the service
2. Set up table with boxes of name badges and lanyards
a. Located under the mailboxes in the outer office
3. Distribute badges to worshipers as they arrive
a. Direct people to pick up a lanyard and clip on the badge. Assist, if needed
4. Welcome visitors and encourage them to make a temporary stick-on name tag.
a. Blank badges are located in the back of one of the boxes
5. After service be available to help with collecting badges and lanyards
a. Set out the empty plastic container
b. Worshipers are encouraged to separate and return their badges and lanyards to the appropriate place on the table
6. Alphabetize the badges and return the containers to the office
7. Help serve and clean up at the coffee hour
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Guidelines for Lectors
· The readings for Sunday are listed in the prior week’s bulletin. You may call the Office Manager to send a copy of these readings to your email address or pick up a copy of the Sunday bulletin on Thursday or Friday.
· Ordinarily you will be reading the First and Second Lessons, separated by the Psalm, which you will lead responsively
· Practice your reading prior to Sunday, paying attention to pace, pitch, volume and vocal quality. (Not too fast or slow, too loud or soft) If there are difficult words or names, ask the Pastor for help with pronunciations.
· On Sunday, check the bulletin for when the readings take place (If the choir is singing, they usually sing immediately before the first reading)
· Introduce the reading with “A reading from…………” (No need for chapter and verse)
· Conclude reading as indicated in the bulletin, i.e. “The word of the Lord” or “Word of God, Word of Life”, to be followed by congregational “Thanks be to God.”
· Please help serve and clean up for coffee hour.
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* NURSERY ASSISTANT
Amazing Grace Assistant: Only assist when the Professional Hire is present.
· Be ready in the nursery at least 15 minutes prior to the service
· No more than two times by one person during your month
· Stay until all children are picked up by their parents
· Help serve and clean up at coffee hour
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USHER GUIDELINES
Thank you for serving as an usher. You are a minister of hospitality for Grace Lutheran Church. Your task is to welcome all who come together to worship God. When worship has ended and people return to their homes, their impressions and opinions of our church are significantly shaped by the ministry you have provided.
1. Arrive 30 minutes before worship begins. Sunday worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Put on your name badge. Unlock the outside door to the elevator.
2. Make sure all necessary lights are on but do not do the sound system. A dedicated team is assigned to that task. The circuit breakers are used as on-off switches and are located in the closet on the right as you enter the sanctuary from the narthex. Assess seating and suggest/usher people in as seating becomes scarce.
3. Stand at the entrance into the Sanctuary, greet worshipers and distribute bulletins and children’s worship bulletins/bags. If a baptism is taking place there will be an insert. On Christmas Eve individual candles will be distributed.
4. If no acolyte is present, you may be asked to light and extinguish the candles.
5. Seat late arrivals during singing only, not during prayer or reading.
6. Count number of worshipers and enter in Usher’s report book located in the cabinet in the Narthex. Include all people in the Sanctuary, Nursery, Sunday School, etc.
7. Collect registration slips during the Hymn of the Day
8. Collect the Offering at the appointed time, usually following the sharing of the Peace. Don’t forget parishioners sitting in the Choir Loft when choir is not singing.
9. Combine offering into two plates. Bring Offering to the Acolyte who will be standing at the Altar. Do this as the people stand to sing the Offertory hymn. Return immediately to the Narthex after giving the Offering plates to the acolyte.
10. Please make every effort to be helpful, caring and accommodating. If you are aware of visitors, ask if there is any way in which you can assist them.
11. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday.
· Following the Lord’s Prayer people are seated. People on both sides of the center aisle are communed at the same time. As soon as Pastor and Assistants are in place, two ushers come down center aisle to invite people in the front pews to come forward for communion. Work your way toward the back of the Sanctuary facing the front. Try to avoid having a long line of people in the aisle. Have a maximum of about six to eight people in line at a time.
· People in the choir section and side pew on the opposite side should be ushered LAST. An usher should direct them to go to the back and then up the center aisle.
· When Sunday School is in session, the children and teachers should be invited to come upstairs following the offering. Sunday School rooms include lower level and the room down the hall from the church office. Ordinarily they will come forward first and then the first row of communicants.
· Ushers commune last and tell the Pastor if there is anyone who needs to receive communion. Ushers then stand next to people who need to receive it.
12. After the final hymn and Dismissal, one usher goes to front pew and invites people pew by pew to exit.
13. One Usher should work with the member of the Finance Committee (team of Counters) in the counting of the offering.
14. Turn off all lights including the sconces in the choir loft. Make sure candles are extinguished.
15. Go through pews, remove bulletins and other debris and arrange hymnals in proper spots. Put bulletins in the church office for recycling.
16. Baptisms – Assist participants in a baptism and their families in any way that you can. Ordinarily seat them in the front pews on the pulpit side. The pastor instructs the parents prior to baptism and invites the families to receive communion on the day of the baptism. They may not be familiar with our customs so ushers should come forward and invite them to come to communion at the appropriate time.
17. Help serve and clean up for coffee hour. Lock elevator before leaving the church.
Important to Know
1. Where restrooms are located downstairs.
2. Where those in wheelchairs may be seated. A wheelchair is located in Fellowship Hall by the elevator.
3. A first aid kit is located in the kitchen.
4. Fire extinguishers are located in the Narthex behind door, Narthex entry into Sanctuary, north stairway down from Sanctuary, bottom of north stairway next to Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Fellowship Hall, Lobby, Office, Living Room, and at end of Lobby hallway.
5. Defibrillator (AED) is located in the Lobby on the wall in the green case.
Call 911 in an emergency (outer office and kitchen phones- you must dial 9 first). One Usher should work with the member of the Finance Committee (team of Counters) in the counting of the offering.