Ways to Serve at Worship

Assisting Minister  Lay  or  ordained person who serves as assistant to the presiding minister, leading prayers, administering the Cup, etc. Volunteers are trained to assist at the Altar. Volunteers are needed for both Sunday liturgies and for weekday liturgies (12:10 – 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday).

Communion Assistant  Lay person or ordained person who administers wine at communion. Volunteers are needed for Sunday liturgies.

Acolyte   A liturgical assistant, usually a young person, who serves in various roles such as crucifer, torchbearer, Bible bearer, candlelighter. Acolytes are scheduled to serve at  the 8:30 or 11:00 liturgies and at special liturgies as well.

 Lector   Lay person scheduled to read the Scripture lessons, at either the 8:30 or 11:00 am liturgies.

Greeter   The ministry of serving as a greeter at our Sunday liturgies is one of the most visible signs of hospitality to visitors.  As an urban church, we have many visitors who come to worship. The role of a greeter is simply to stand at the South Narthex door and welcome parishioners and visitors alike, and to answer any question visitors may have.

Parish Choir The Parish Choir serves the proclamation of God’s word by supporting our worship and enriching it with special anthems.  The Choir rehearses from 7:00-8:30 pm Thursday evenings (September – June),  and also on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am.

Bel Canto (Italian, “beautiful sound”) is open to students, both boys and girls, in grades 6-12.  The group presents choral music and handbell selections for liturgies.  Bel Canto rehearses on Sundays after the 11:00 liturgy.

Cantate Choir  The Cantate (Latin, “Let us Sing”) Choir includes children in the first through fifth grades.  The children’s choir meets each Saturday at 9:00 am.  The Cantate Choir sings for worship approximately every six weeks and presents a musical play, with the entire Sunday School, in the Spring.

Gloria Dei Ringers  The Gloria Dei ( Latin, “Glory to God”) Ringers, the handbell ensemble, is a group of adults and high school youth.  The group rings a four-octave set of Malmark handbells and rehearses every Thursday from 5:45 –7:00 pm.

Instrumental musicians  Those who wish to offer their musical gifts by participating in special liturgies, preludes or anthems, are encouraged to speak to the Cantor.

Altar Guild  The Guild is entrusted with the care  of furnishings, appointments, and ornaments used in worship. The Guild prepares the Altar for all Sunday liturgies and for other liturgies in festival seasons.

Presenter of Gifts  Lay members  present the elements (the gifts) at the offertory during  both Sunday morning liturgies.  Families, couples, friends, young people, etc. are all welcome to bring up the gifts.

Usher  Sunday volunteers serve as members of a team, each scheduled for one month at a time, three times a year. Volunteers may be asked to assist other teams, as needed.  Ushers are also needed on a one-time basis to serve at extra services during festival seasons and for special liturgies and music events throughout the year.

 

Ways to serve in the church and the world

 The Christian Education Committee plans and implements our educational program for children and adults.

 The Evangelism Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining a process of reaching out to the unchurched, for fostering a climate of hospitality to visitors and those seeking church affiliation, and for maintaining an atmosphere of Christian fellowship and mutual consolation.

 The Finance Committee is responsible for the development of an annual Proposal for Ministry (budget), for the regular reporting of the financial transactions of the congregation, and for the oversight of the congregation’s fiscal affairs.

The Health Ministry Committee addresses the health of the whole person within a church setting.  Wellness, health and healing are promoted within the church and within the community by a Health Ministry Team. Health of body, mind and spirit is encouraged through increased self knowledge, personal responsibility, and supporting God’s people at First Lutheran Church to work together for greater health.

The History and Archives Committee has as its responsibility the location, preservation, and organization of written documents, photographs, and other exhibits of historical interest and significance to the life of First Lutheran Church.  The Committee will further seek to develop and maintain and orderly account of the congregation’s ministry from its founding to the present.

The Memorial and Fine Arts Committee oversees the acquisition and maintenance of ecclesiastical arts and furnishings so that the aesthetic and theological integrity of the church building and its contents are maintained. It also encourages memorial and special gifts to the congregation and educational programs on the significance and value of its ecclesiastical art.

 The Personnel Committee has the responsibility of overseeing the administration of the “non-professional” staff and of administering compensation structures for all staff members.

 The Property Committee has the responsibility for the oversight, maintenance and improvement of the physical facilities of our beautiful church building.

The Social Ministry Committee plans and implements programs intended to meet human need. It provides educational and advocacy efforts aimed at calling the attention of the congregation to suffering and injustice. The committee also works to develop opportunities for parishioners to use their gifts in service to humanity through the support of ministries beyond our own parish.

 The Stewardship Committee is charged with encouraging and promoting generous support for the work of the Church, support which makes wise use of the time, talents, and financial gifts of our members. The Committee also promotes planned giving and perpetual stewardship.

  The Worship Committee strives to insure that the liturgical life of the congregation is faithful to the witness of the historical, evangelical-catholic tradition of the Church. The Committee also oversees the music ministry of the parish and seeks to promote the active involvement of the laity in worship leadership.

 The Youth Ministry Committee is responsible for programming designed to facilitate ministry to, with,  and by adolescent and elementary school-aged young people.