The Ministries of the Altar

We are all called to serve God, it is our duty to take God through his Son Our Lord Jesus Christ, into the World. Not all of us are called to the priesthood or as a deacon, but we serve in many different ways that are crucial to the worship service or to the spiritual needs of our immediate families, spiritual families and our community. There are people who work in the administration of the business of the church, there are all kinds of outreach programs, pastoral care and concerns which include intercessory prayer, The shawl ministry, visiting the sick and sending out cards. Making cookies for the Sunday School classes, or preparing coffee in the parish hall on Sundays, washing dishes after fellowship. . There are people who help put our bulletins and newsletters together, teachers, gardeners, lectors,oblationers and those that feel they can serve by dusting the furniture in the Nave. It takes a lot of people to do Gods work. Thank goodness that we are not all called to do the same thing.

In choosing to serve God at the Altar as a member of the altar guild, oblationer, usher, lector, crucifer, torchbearer, lay eucharistic minister, or lay reader/ server you have chosen to deepen your relationship to God in a profound way. This is a ministry of the laity. To be carried out in a somber and dignified manner. Your service at the altar is not about you. It is all about God. As soon as the Processional begins you become the connection between God and the people. You are servants, assistants, and become leaders in the worship service. As the service progresses the people look to you for guidance. Our goal is to have everything flow easy so that the things we do, are not the focus of attention and the people are free to worship without distraction. Below is a detailed description of each Altar Ministry. If you are interested in serving the Altar or have any questions or concerns, please contact: Altar Ministries Coordinator  Kaye Staggs 479-970-9316           kstaggs724@yahoo.com

                         Ministries of the Altar

Lay Eucharist Ministers: LEM I

A Lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the Eucharist. Lay Eucharist Ministers also called Chalice Bearers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the Eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of Priest and Deacons to assist the celebrant. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of Priest and Deacons concerning the administration of the Eucharist. Lay Eucharistic Ministers are not licesned to carry the consecrated elements to the ill. See Lay Eucharistic Minister Visitor II

Along with the Priest you are the connection between the laity and God through the Holy Eucharist. The Ministry that you perform is crucial to the worship service in that you bring Christ to the people as you serve your Chalice.

*Episcopal dictionary of the Church

Lay Eucharist Minister Visitor : LEM II

A Lay person licensed by the bishop to go from Sunday Eucharist and other principal celebrations or when called to a sick bed to administer the consecrated elements of the Eucharist to those members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity.
This important ministry is one of love and compassion as you take God to the ill. In doing so you are also taking the spiritual family to those, who because of illness or infirmity, can not enjoy the fellowship of their church family. It helps them to still feel connected and lets them know that they are in our prayers.
A Lay Eucharist Minister may be licensed for either or both ministries.

*Episcopal dictionary of the Church

Acolytes:

Are servers of the Altar, They can be of any gender usually from the age of ten and up. Their duties are decided by the Priest and Acolyte Warden.

Here at All Saints our Acolytes ministry is as Crucifer and Torch Bearers. They also assist in the many special services that are a part of our Church community such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. The ministry of the Acolyte, is an integral part of our services, they help to set the tone and flow of the worship service. They are commissioned by the Priest or Bishop to serve this ministry.

The Crucifer is the person who carries the Cross or Crucifix at the head of a liturgical procession. The Crucifer carries the Processional Cross leading us into worship, and after service leads us out into the world again. The Crucifer helps to set the tone for the worship service and this tone can be measured by how well the congregation focuses on worship and not on the Crucifer and Altar Party.

Candlelight represents the Light of Christ in the world. It is the ministry of the Torchbearers to carry that light and make it part of our worship. The Torchbearers along with the Crucifer set the tone of the worship service. At the Recessional the torch bearer is seen as taking The Light of Christ out into the world.

Lay Reader:

A lay Reader performs the same functions as a Lector with the exception that they are licensed by the Bishop to lead public Worship under the direction of a member of clergy in charge of the congregation. (Title 111, Canon 3.7). The lay Reader must be a confirmed adult communicant in good standing and recommended by the member of the clergy in charge of the congregation. A Lay Reader may lead the daily offices of the chuch. The ministry of the Lay Reader is to be a leader in the church, to Officiate the Daily Office when needed. These services include Evening Prayer, Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer , An Order for Evening Worship and Compline. A Lay Reader may also be licensed as a Lay Eucharistic Minister.

*( BCP rubical directions concerning Lay Readers, An Episcopal dictionary of the church)

Lector:

Lay persons who do not vest and come up from the congregation to the lectern to read the lessons and the Epistle. Lectors may read the prayers of the people. Lectors do not have to be licensed by the Bishop.

*(The Book of common Prayer rubical directions concerning Lectors )

Server:

All of the above members of the Altar party are people who serve the Altar.
For want of a better term the word Server will be used to specifically describe the licensed Lay Reader that assist the priest at the setting of the table, holding the Gospel Book, and performing any other duties that the Priest deems necessary for the service, which includes acting as Chalicer or reading if needed. It is the job of the server to keep things flowing smoothly at the Altar, by doing so the Priest is free to concentrate on the Spiritual aspect of the service, while you tend to the workings of the different ministries of the Altar party, in keeping down the gliches at the administration of the Sacraments, to a minimum. The idea is to try to keep things moving as smooth as possible, so that people will concentrate on their time with God and not the Altar party.

Ushers and Oblationers:

Many thanks to our Ushers you are greatly appreciated. You Welcome the people at the door handing them the service bulletin which prepares them for worship. You in essence are the beginning of the Service for the people.

Oblationers, thank you for the gifts you bring to the Altar. Along with the Ushers you take the offerings of the people to God. This Ministry of Usher and Oblationer is very important and to be carried out in a dignified and solemn manner.

Ushers, Oblationers, Lectors, Acolytes, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Readers/ Servers ARE the Ministry of the Altar. We are one group trained by the Priest and the Altar Ministry Leaders.

The Altar Guild

The Altar Guild is responsible for having the Altar ready for service, making sure wine, water, host, lavabo purificators and any other needs are available when required. They make sure all supplies for the altar are ordered and take care of all the linens. In effect they make the table ready for us. They are very much appreciated for their dedication to Gods' altar.
The Altar Guild is also a ministry of the Altar but is a separate group, if you are interested in becoming part of the service of Altar Guild please contact: Altar Guild Mistress    Margaret Dodson 967-7222