Worship Workers
Assisting Minister Purpose:
To assist the pastors during worship services.
Skills, interests desired: Any member who has a desire to serve Zion, both the congregation and the pastors, and who has a clear voice and the ability to speak or sing in front of an audience, can become an assisting minister. Time required/Frequency of participation: One and one-half hours, once a month, with an occasional evening meeting with the pastor(s). Training: There is a set of guidelines for assisting ministers so that there is consistency among the three services. A meeting with new assisting ministers can be scheduled to review the guidelines and to offer hands-on training before being scheduled to assist. Three-month schedules are prepared and distributed well in advance of scheduled dates. Eucharistic Ministers The Eucharistic Ministers take the body and blood of Christ to the handicapped and shut-ins for our congregation. In addition to sharing the peace and presenting the elements, the ministers spend time visiting and listening to the many experience of those being visited. In addition, any messages they wish to convey to the congregation are taken for distribution in the Trumpet. Vases of flowers are usually taken to the members unable to attend the traditional church services, and prayer cards are available for distribution. Lay Readers The Lay Readers, or lectors, serve the congregation’s worship by reading the lessons for the day, usually an Old Testament reading and an Epistle reading. The readings are printed in the worship bulletin for those who like to follow along. Often the words affect us in a new way when we take them in through the ear as well as the eye. Almost forty readers take turns at each of the three weekly services, plus Christmas and Holy Week services. All confirmed members of Zion are welcome to become lectors. Contact Nancy Fricke or the church office to add your name to the list. Worship Planners Worship Planners is a subcommittee of Worship and Music and is responsible primarily for selecting appropriate hymns for the weekly liturgies. The committee meets approximately six times a year and tries to work far enough ahead to allow for advance planning, especially by the organists and choir director. The process includes looking at the lessons for each week, considering the major themes or special commemorations (saint's days, major and minor festivals) and the Hymns of the Day chosen by the Pastors, and consulting with the music staff when there are special requests. New members are welcome on the committee, which is always willing to consider special requests made known to it.
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