Licensed by the bishop, Lay Eucharistic Ministers (Worship Leaders) recruit, train, and maintain a corps of parishioners who administer the chalice, read scripture during service, and assist at all liturgical celebrations of the parish. When clergy is not available on Sundays, this group is authorized to conduct Morning Prayer services. They also perform the duties of an acolyte in assisting clergy during liturgical celebrations.

ATTENTION: Acolyte Festival Saturday, May 13 at 9 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis LEARN MORE

Worship Leaders Schedule:

Liturgical Ministries Duties

Please Note: Duties Updated 1/1/2022 CLICK HERE

Worship Leaders’ Duties

Worship Leaders, please note that there will minor adjustments to your role.

Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before liturgy. Please wear black shoes. Please vest. Make sure that your hands have been washed or use sanitizer. You will wear a mask unless speaking.

A lay reader will now read the first and second lessons. After the first lesson is read, the lay reader will step back or be seated. You will then come to the lectern and lead the psalm for the day. If the scheduled lay reader is absent, then you are to read the lessons; so, always be prepared.

Because of the reconfiguration of our worship space, there will NOT be a Gospel procession. A clergyperson will retrieve the Book of Gospels and read from the front of the altar.

For the Prayers of the People, the assisting priest or a deacon will introduce the prayers. The introduction will be simple. For example: “Let us bring our prayers and petitions to Almighty God.” The Worship Leader will then remove his/her mask and lead the Prayers of the People.

When it is time to set up the altar during the offertory, the assisting priest or deacon will do this function.

At the time of Communion and until the guidelines are changed, everyone will only receive the host, which will be placed lightly in their hands. No one will receive from the Cup. The assisting priest (deacon), Worship Leader, and acolyte will receive the host from the celebrant. When there is an assisting priest or deacon, they may be asked to help with the distribution of the hosts. After Communion, the assisting priest or deacon will clean up.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. HAND SANITIZER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE.

Acolytes’ Duties:

Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before liturgy. Please vest. You are strongly encouraged to wear black shoes. Make sure that your hands have been washed or use sanitizer. You will wear a mask unless speaking.
The Acolyte will:

–Light the candles on the altar prior to the service
–Carry in the processional cross
–Because of the reconfiguration of our worship space, there will NOT be a Gospel procession. A clergyperson will retrieve the Book of Gospels and read from the front of the altar.
–After the offertory sentence (“Walk in love as Christ loves us…”) you are to remove the Book of Gospels and its stand from the altar and place them on the credence table.
–As the assisting priest or deacon concludes the setting up of the altar, you are to present the cruet of water, towel and bowl and wash the presider’s (usually Rev. Renee) hands prior to the Eucharistic Prayer.
–Take the large collection basket from the ushers. Give the basket to the celebrant, who will bless/offer it. Take the basket and put it on the floor directly in front of the altar. Do not take it to the sacristy.
–Please ring the bells at the appropriate time: at the beginning of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and at the elevation of the elements
At the time of Communion and until the guidelines are changed, everyone will only receive the host, which will be placed lightly in their hands. No one will receive from the Cup.
–Carry the cross out as we begin singing the closing hymn. Then, after the dismissal, return the cross to its stand and then extinguish the altar candles.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. HAND SANITIZER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE.

Lay Readers’ Duties:

Until guidelines change, everyone will be asked to mask in our worship space. Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before the start of liturgy. It would be appreciated that when you are scheduled to read, that you sit in the front row on the lectern side. Readers do not need to vest.
The Reader will:
–Go to the lectern, remove his or her mask and proclaim the first lesson
–After the reading, step back from the lectern so that Worship Leader can lead the Psalm
–After the psalm, the Reader returns to the lectern to proclaim the second lesson

PLEASE KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN AT ALL TIMES. HAND SANITIZER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE.

Training:

These changes do require training. We are in the process of setting up a date for that.
General Changes:

–Under the current guidelines, EVERYONE will wear a mask
–Elbow and fist bumps or simple bows are encouraged during the passing of the Sign of Peace
–Announcements will be made following the Sign of Peace
–We will use one set of bells during the Eucharistic Prayer
–Please avoid joining hands during the Lord’s Prayer
–At the time of Communion and until the guidelines are changed, everyone will only receive the host which will be placed lightly in their hands. The presider will not place host on the tongue. No one will receive from the Cup. No intinction.
–Nothing is to be taken back into the Sacristy during worship unless instructed

Other Things to Note

Please review these scriptures BEFORE the worship service for which you are scheduled. For unfamiliar biblical names, you may visit http://www.biblespeech.com/ to learn how to pronounce the words.  For online services (if applicable), please connect or dial in to Zoom 10 minutes before worship (currently 8:50 a.m.). 

Worship leaders and acolytes, you are reminded that if you are unable to serve on the appointed Sunday, you will need to contact another person who can fill in.  You should also contact Karen Mosley, if possible, so that she can edit the Sunday bulletin with updated information on who will serve.  She usually prints the bulletin on Tuesdays.

If there are any questions or concerns regarding worship leader or acolyte issues, please contact Margarett Williams.  You may view/download current & past schedules by selecting the period desired below:

Worship Leader Schedule March 2023

Worship Leader Schedule April 2023