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Notes for Worship Leaders & Eucharistic Ministers at St. John's

By the Rev. Teresa K. Mithen, Rector

Although being licensed as a Worship Leader is different than being licensed as a Eucharistic Minister, most people at St. John’s serve in both lay ministries at the same time. These notes are for your instruction when you are serving as the Worship Leader and Eucharistic Minister with me, Pastor Teresa. Each priest has her or his own preferences and theological views. If you are working with another priest, I would suggest asking her or him if there are any preferences that you should know about ahead of time.

Before the 10:00 a.m. service:

Between 9:50 and 9:55 a.m., make sure that the candles are lit, either doing it yourself or watching as a young person does it. The candles should be lit on the high altar first, then the low altar, from Right to Left. On the high altar: Light the big candles first from the Right to the Left, then the candelabras – from the Cross down on the Right, then on the Left. Light the candles on the low altar from the Right to the Left.

You may pause reverently before entering the sanctuary – the area where the high altar is – or when you stand in front of the low altar,but please DO NOT bow. Bowing is not appropriate when holding something and you might set something on fire.

Serving as Worship Leader:

Currently, the Worship Leader is already seated on the right side of the Chancel before the service starts.

1. The Worship Leader leads the Psalm, after the first reading has been read by another reader. Please ask the people to stand for the Psalm and announce how the psalm will be proclaimed. I prefer that the Worship Leader read the odd verses and the Congregation read the even verses, rather than dividing the reading at the asterisk.

2. The Worship Leader then reads the Second Reading, usually a lesson from the Epistle. I prefer that the Worship Leader announce the reading this way: “A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles” or “A Reading from the Letter to the Colossians.” Please do not announce the chapter and verse. At the end of the reading, please say, “The Word of the Lord, ““Hear what the Spirit is saying the Churches,” or “Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.” These are the appropriate Eucharistic responses. Please do not say “Here endeth the reading” or “Here ends the reading.” I would prefer that all readings be done from the prayer desk or the Eagle lectern on the Epistle side of the chancel.

3. During the Sermon, the Worship Leader may sit in the congregation.

4. If the First Reader and/or the Prayer Leader is absent, the Worship Leader is responsible for reading the first reading and/or leading the Prayers of the People.

5. During the Peace, please visit the nursery to make sure that the childcare provider and children return to participate in communion. Please return to your seat in the chancel when I am trying to start the Announcements. The passing of the Peace is a part of our worship; it is not social time.

Serving as a Eucharistic Minister:

1. As soon as the Offertory music begins, the Eucharistic Leader moves to the credence table to assist me in preparing the low altar for communion.

2. Give the “Stack” to me – the “Stack” is (from bottom up) the chalice, purificator, paten, large host, and pall. I will give a slight bow to you, acknowledging that I have “safely” received the stack. Please give a slight bow back. We will repeat this slight bowing motion every time we exchange sacred vessels. It is a useful way to communicate without speaking. Do not hesitate to ask me a question out loud, if you need to. It is better to say it out-loud than to play charades.

3. Uncork the two cruets. If we are using the red set, the wine should be in the bottle with a larger “flame” on the lip and the cork with the “V” on it for “vino” (Latin for wine). The water should be in the other cruet with the cork marked “A” for “aqua” (Latin for water). Pass the uncorked cruets to me. I will bow to you; please bow back.

4. After I pour the wine and water into the chalice, I will hand the wine cruet back to you. Please put it down on the credence table and immediately place the lavabo towel on your right wrist and place the lavabo bowl in your right hand.

5. I will then hand you the water cruet. Take the water cruet into your left hand, and pour the water over my hands – which will be placed above the lavabo bowl. I will then take the towel from your right wrist, dry my hands, and bow indicating that I am done and that you are dismissed for the moment.

6. Once we are done preparing the altar for communion, Carolee will begin the Doxology and the ushers will approach the altar with the monetary offering. Please get the large golden basin and receive the smaller offering plates into the golden basin. Face the high altar and lift up the basin as the doxology is sung. Then, place the golden basin at the high altar rail, or some other convenient location.

7. The Worship Leader may ring the Sanctus bells at 3 times: first, when the bread and paten are elevated; second, when the chalice with water and wine is elevated; third, at the end of the Eucharistic prayer (“in Christ. AMEN.”)

8. When I say “The Gifts of God for the People of God,” approach the altar again. I will give you the bread, then the wine. When you have received communion, please take the chalice and the purificator from me. Serve Carolee the chalice, and go down the steps to the front of the nave, on the Gospel side.

9. Be flexible when serving the chalice. Some people prefer to dip, or intinct, the wafer into the chalice. Some prefer the Eucharistic minister to dip the wafer into the wine and then place it in their mouths. Some prefer to drink directly from the chalice. Preferably, the person will take the base of the chalice and help guide the chalice. Please wipe the chalice and turn it 180 degrees after someone drinks directly from the chalice. When you serve the chalice, please say, “The Blood of Christ, the Cup of Salvation” to each person.

10. If the Eucharistic Minister is not participating in the healing prayer, I would appreciate it if the Eucharistic Minister would collect the various vessels and re-stack the chalice, purificator, paten, and pall on the credence table. Please do not consume the remaining consecrated bread and wine at the credence table. I would prefer that the Eucharistic Minister help consume or dispose of the remaining “elements” after the service, in the Sacristy.

11. At the end of the service, after the Post-Communion Prayer, please extinguish the candles, in reverse order. Extinguish the Left then the Right candles on the low altar. Then, extinguish the candelabra on the Left and the candelabra on the Right. Finally, extinguish the large candles on the Left and the Right.

12. Please assist the Altar Guild with the consummation/disposal of the elements, as well as the cleansing of the sacred vessels.

Thank you for your ministries! In Christ, Teresa+