There are many ways that parishioners take an active leadership role in worship services.
Acolytes
Children in elementary school grades through high school are encouraged to become an Acolyte in the sanctuary worship services. The acolytes symbolically bring the light of Christ into the worship service during the processional hymn. Then, as a reminder of our responsibility to carry this light into the world as we leave worship, the acolytes carry the light out during the closing hymn. Acolytes serve at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday services as well as Christmas Eve services. Acolytes should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the service to put on their robes and receive special instructions for the day. Practice and training sessions are held at 5:30 p.m. Monday evenings during our Faith & Fellowship night from September through May. Anyone interested in participating in the Acolyte program at St. Margaret's should contact the our program coordinator Julie Svendsen at julesannap@gmail.com.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild of St. Margaret’s is a wonderful group of very dedicated women and men who work diligently behind the scenes to make sure that everything is in place for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other special services. The Guild meets regularly as a group to make preparations in advance as well as to have a time of fellowship and prayer in community. On a rotating basis the members launder and care for the altar linens, polish the silver and brass, set out the wine and the bread for communion, prepare the candles and set up for Sunday, weekday, and special services (such as weddings and funerals). If you have an interest in joining the altar guild, please contact leader Charlie Lang at charlie.lang@verizon.net.
Flower Guild
Guild members create floral arrangements for Sunday worship services. Special decorations during holidays are all designed and arranged by the Guild. Each Sunday during the year, except during Lent, parishioners may donate funds for altar flowers as a memorial for loved ones or in celebration of special events. Here is a donation form to use. The Flower Guild is eager to welcome new members. No previous floral design experience is required, and novice arrangers are paired with experienced designers as they learn. If you are interested in joining this ministry, contact Mollie Benz Flounlacker, Flower Guild Chair, at mollieflounlacker@yahoo.com.
Lectors
Lectors are members of the Church who provide readings of the day's assigned scriptures during a worship service. All lectors have knowledge of the structure and content of Holy Scripture and understand the origins of the scriptures. They know how to find books of the Bible, locating chapter and verse, particularly half-verses. The lector is well-acquainted with the contents and organization of the prayer book and should be familiar with the order of worship and where and when they will be reading. For those interested in being a Lector, contact the office at info@st-margarets.org.
Ushers
Ushers at St. Margaret’s greet worshippers before services, weddings, and funerals, making every attempt to help them feel welcome and at ease. They may escort members and guests to their seats and direct parishioners through the Holy Eucharist part of the worship service. They distribute materials related to the services such as bulletins, hymnals, handouts, etc. They also receive parishioner offerings and maintain an alertness for any emergency that may arise. If you have an interest in being an usher, contact Ray Feldmann at rayfeldmann@comcast.net.
Eucharistic Ministers are lay persons authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements (bread and wine) at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
For more information, contact Joan Rich at bojohbf@verizon.net.
Eucharistic Visitors administer home communion to the sick and housebound. These Eucharistic Ministers will take intinctured bread (bread from the communion table that has had a drop of blessed wine placed on it) directly from services to housebound communicants in the surrounding area.
For more information, contact Grant Harmon at pgharmon@aol.com.
Acolytes
Children in elementary school grades through high school are encouraged to become an Acolyte in the sanctuary worship services. The acolytes symbolically bring the light of Christ into the worship service during the processional hymn. Then, as a reminder of our responsibility to carry this light into the world as we leave worship, the acolytes carry the light out during the closing hymn. Acolytes serve at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday services as well as Christmas Eve services. Acolytes should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the service to put on their robes and receive special instructions for the day. Practice and training sessions are held at 5:30 p.m. Monday evenings during our Faith & Fellowship night from September through May. Anyone interested in participating in the Acolyte program at St. Margaret's should contact the our program coordinator Julie Svendsen at julesannap@gmail.com.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild of St. Margaret’s is a wonderful group of very dedicated women and men who work diligently behind the scenes to make sure that everything is in place for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other special services. The Guild meets regularly as a group to make preparations in advance as well as to have a time of fellowship and prayer in community. On a rotating basis the members launder and care for the altar linens, polish the silver and brass, set out the wine and the bread for communion, prepare the candles and set up for Sunday, weekday, and special services (such as weddings and funerals). If you have an interest in joining the altar guild, please contact leader Charlie Lang at charlie.lang@verizon.net.
Flower Guild
Guild members create floral arrangements for Sunday worship services. Special decorations during holidays are all designed and arranged by the Guild. Each Sunday during the year, except during Lent, parishioners may donate funds for altar flowers as a memorial for loved ones or in celebration of special events. Here is a donation form to use. The Flower Guild is eager to welcome new members. No previous floral design experience is required, and novice arrangers are paired with experienced designers as they learn. If you are interested in joining this ministry, contact Mollie Benz Flounlacker, Flower Guild Chair, at mollieflounlacker@yahoo.com.
Lectors
Lectors are members of the Church who provide readings of the day's assigned scriptures during a worship service. All lectors have knowledge of the structure and content of Holy Scripture and understand the origins of the scriptures. They know how to find books of the Bible, locating chapter and verse, particularly half-verses. The lector is well-acquainted with the contents and organization of the prayer book and should be familiar with the order of worship and where and when they will be reading. For those interested in being a Lector, contact the office at info@st-margarets.org.
Ushers
Ushers at St. Margaret’s greet worshippers before services, weddings, and funerals, making every attempt to help them feel welcome and at ease. They may escort members and guests to their seats and direct parishioners through the Holy Eucharist part of the worship service. They distribute materials related to the services such as bulletins, hymnals, handouts, etc. They also receive parishioner offerings and maintain an alertness for any emergency that may arise. If you have an interest in being an usher, contact Ray Feldmann at rayfeldmann@comcast.net.
Eucharistic Ministers are lay persons authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements (bread and wine) at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
For more information, contact Joan Rich at bojohbf@verizon.net.
Eucharistic Visitors administer home communion to the sick and housebound. These Eucharistic Ministers will take intinctured bread (bread from the communion table that has had a drop of blessed wine placed on it) directly from services to housebound communicants in the surrounding area.
For more information, contact Grant Harmon at pgharmon@aol.com.
