Assisting Ministers and
Communion Assistants
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Worship Ministry
March 2006
MINISTRY DESCRIPTION
Assisting Ministers provide a lay leadership role in Christ the King's weekly Sunday Eucharist, and at other rites and prayer services throughout the year. Chief responsibilities include:
- Leading the Kyrie when it is sung, and leading the appointed psalm.
- Reading the appointed Second Reading
- Leading the Prayers.
- Preparing the table, and offering the cup at communion.
- Assisting as needed, offering prayer, holding the binder and/or lectionary book, prompting acolytes, leading various prayers, and dismissing the congregation.
Communion Assistants provide assistance at Christ the King's weekly Sunday Eucharist and at other rites when communion is offered.
In this document, references will be made mainly to Assisting Ministers, as Communion Assistants play a limited role in worship assisting.
HISTORY AND THEOLOGICAL BASIS
These lay leadership roles have a relationship to the ministry of deacons, first developed in the early church as a ministry of service to care for widows (see Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13).
In later centuries, the role of deacons became an order of ministry, concerned the most with the poor and needy. When Lawrence, deacon and martyr was being tortured for the faith and asked where the church treasury was, he was reported to have pointed to the beggars, children and widows around him and said, "here are the treasures of the church!"
During the liturgical renewal of the twentieth century, Lutherans recaptured the sense that liturgy in its essence was "the work of the people," and broadened lay participation in worship. At its publication in 1978, Lutheran Book of Worship included significant duties for an Assisting Minister, chiefly responsible for attending to the assembly's prayer and preparing the Eucharistic table.
QUALIFICATIONS
Besides a willingness to serve Christ and the church, Assisting Ministers should have skills or develop skills in public speaking and singing. An interest or background in drama is beneficial.
As worship is the church's main public witness, the ministry of hospitality is also a part of the Assisting Minister's activity, as greeting the assembly after dismissal assists in fostering relationships and welcoming newcomers to Christ the King.
CONTACTS
Pastor Keyl
Phone 882-6142
e-mail tkeyl@ctknashua.org
Mike Paden (scheduling)
Phone 598-9513
e-mail mjpaden@yahoo.com
WEEKLY SCOPE OF ASSISTING MINISTER ACTIVITY
Early in the week, readings (including the Psalm) and prayers will be sent to Assisting Ministers to aid in their preparations, usually in an electronic fashion.
Practice reading aloud. Practice singing the Psalm. Read through the prayers; alter them according the week's context; be sure to include those for whom we pray regularly.
On Sunday morning, arrive twenty minutes to one half hour prior to worship. Vest in an alb with cincture (found in the closet by the balcony stairwell on the southwest corner of the narthex) and Terra Sancta Guild Necklace, and prepare for worship in Pastor's office, conferring with him about the particulars of the day. With Pastor, assist acolytes in their own preparations as needed. Prior to entering the worship space, allow Pastor to lead a prayer of preparation.
Greet those in the assembly as you make your way to the narthex. Remain in the narthex near the entryway to the nave until the liturgy's beginning, unless there are special preparations in the nave itself.
Liturgy directions for each season will be provided for assisting ministers.
LITURGY DIRECTIONS FOR COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
Don you alb after the Sharing of the Peace.
Come forward down the font side aisle during The Lord's Prayer.
Bow at floor level, and come to receive communion during the "Lamb of God."
Go to the credence table, fill the chalice with the flagon from the altar or reserved wine.
Commune font side with words, "The blood of Christ, shed for you."
See other directions for Assisting Ministers above that are applicable.
When assembly has finished communing, consume remaining wine and place on credence table with purificator over it. Assist others in clearing the table as needed. Go to floor level by font, bow, and go to the rear.
On festivals, participate from beginning to end with alb. Process following bookbearer, and sit in bench at pastor's left. Come to the altar during the Offertory and stand at pastor's left.
Recess following bookbearer.
LITURGY DIRECTIONS FOR COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
Don you alb after the Sharing of the Peace.
Come forward down the font side aisle during The Lord's Prayer.
Bow at floor level, and come to receive communion during the "Lamb of God."
Go to the credence table, fill the chalice with the flagon from the altar or reserved wine.
Commune font side with words, "The blood of Christ, shed for you."
See other directions for Assisting Ministers above that are applicable.
When assembly has finished communing, consume remaining wine and place on credence table with purificator over it. Assist others in clearing the table as needed. Go to floor level by font, bow, and go to the rear.
On festivals, participate from beginning to end with alb. Process following bookbearer, and sit in bench at pastor's left. Come to the altar during the Offertory and stand at pastor's left.
Recess following bookbearer.
TIPS FOR ASSISTING MINISTERS
- Always be unhurried. Model God's grace!
- Keep an eye out for Pastor. Help one another.
- Always hold items in worship with two hands.
- When not holding an item, fold hands.
- When using one hand only, place the other just under your chest.
- Read slowly, clearly, projecting your voice, and always express the sense of each phrase. Much of what you do is oral communication or proclamation.
- Keep an eye out for acolytes. Assist them gracefully, when needed.
- Joy is not forbidden in leading liturgy!
- Good preparation eases anxiety.
- Solicit advice; consult with Pastor and/or Judy Greenhill well in advance.
- Be aware of names added to the prayer list each Sunday.
- Try crafting your own prayer using those already composed as a model. Be mindful of the readings for each week, the season of the church year, and events in the world, the community, and the congregation. Think of your prayers as those everyone can say "Amen" to, rather than expressing your own opinion. Vary images and names for God, and be prayerful rather than preachy. Avoid telling God something God already knows.
- Know you are appreciated for sharing your gifts and presence!
RESOURCES
Assisting Ministers and Readers, by Gerald Spice. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, © 2001 (available from the church office).
Ministers of Communion from the Assembly, by Donald J. Luther. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, © 2001 (available from the church office).
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