Ushers Serve the Lord
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Arnold, Missouri
Mission Statement: The St. John’s Usher Team is committed to support the church before, during and after worship services. We exist to positively reinforce the Word of God that is preached from the pulpit, sung from the choir loft or performed from the chancel. Through our service we help others “Discover Their Place In God’s Heart.”
v We will be professional in all we do
v We will act kindly to everyone we work with and strive to give them the best support we possibly can
v We will encourage and support members on the team
v We will accept the teaching of others more knowledgeable than us
The ushers are very important to the Worship service. Through welcoming, greeting, and seating the folks, the usher helps to assure that the Worship service will be meaningful to all who worship Christ at St. John’s. Remember to treat everyone in the manner that you would like to be treated and your ministry will touch many lives.
Ushering Ministry
v Our ushers are one of the first to greet all who have come to worship at St. John’s. It is important that they welcome and assist all persons who enter the Sanctuary
v Distribute the bulletins as you greet the people
v When the sanctuary is crowded, the ushers need to find every available seat and then usher worshipers to that seat or seats. Anticipate the need for extra chairs
v The usher must find a substitute if he or she cannot be at Church on a given Sunday
v Ushers should always wear their nametags; this allows everyone to know the usher by name
v Ushers should dress appropriately for the Worship service
v Ushers can help to recruit new Ushers. Remember that this Ministry is for Men, Women and High School Youth
v Be at the Church at least 25 minutes before the service
v Always put on your best smile to accompany a friendly and helpful attitude
v Take time to provide extra assistance to anyone disabled, lost, or confused
v Be prepared to direct people to the nursery, restrooms, Sunday School, Bible classes, etc.
v Do not assume people are familiar with the Church layout or our order of worship
v Check the Usher Notes for special announcements, i.e. reserving seats for Baptisms
v Turn the Baptismal Font on until first song, turn on again for exit, (except left on for Baptisms); turn on heat for Baptism (needs approximately 1-2 hours to heat the water)
v If an Elder is not present, light the candles at the start of service and snuff them out at the end of service
v Make sure the offering collection plates are handy
v Recruit extra helpers to collect the offering, if needed
v Check with Pastor or an elder if you have questions
v Check for door offerings; there is always one on the first weekend of the month for Social Ministry, put the money
v in a separate envelope and place it in the safe
v If there are extra handouts, distribute them with bulletins
v As the service begins, walk around to see if anyone needs a bulletin
v Extra Children’s Bulletins are located in the Prayer Register Stand. Please use if needed
v Assist latecomers in finding a seat without drawing attention or distracting others
v Make sure worshipers are agreeable before parading them to a seat in front
v Encourage known members to sit towards the front and move to the middle of rows (this allows our guests to have the choice of seats towards the back and sides)
v Assign one on your team to Ring The Bell at service time
v Check the Usher Notes to see when the Offering will be gathered and communion served at 10:30 am service
v Avoid seating people at the following times:
v Special Music
v Confession/Absolution
v Prayers
v Check the prayer request binder and give requests to prayer leader. At the 10:30 am service, while Children’s Church is in session, bring prayer request forward during a song, prior to the Prayers of the Church
v During the Sermon be sure to count worshipers for the usher's report. Be sure to count all in attendance in the sanctuary including the choir, ministers and others up front (like the Brass)
v At the 10:30 am service also count children at Children’s Church where it is being held
v At the designated time in the service, pass the collection plates along each row from front to back
v As soon as the collection is complete, carry the plates directly to the altar
v You do not need to wait for music to finish or for pastor to carry the offering to the altar
v You may bow at altar
v The sacrament of communion is celebrated on the first and third weekends of the month
v Communion is an important part of our worship; orderly and prompt movement of the Communicants to and from the front will enhance this sacrament
v Do not assume people know our communion process
v At least two ushers are needed per side; one to move people from their seats to the center aisle and the other to direct people. Recruit another helper if needed
v Direct people to the side aisle to return to their seats
v As soon as the Pastor starts communion to the servers, start moving people to the front of the Sanctuary and have them wait by the first pew
v Alert the pastor or serving elders to any people needing communion at their seats
v Make sure the line is continuously moving
v Coordinate with Pastor; he may want you to escort the family to the baptismal font at the appropriate time
v Tidy up the sanctuary; pick up debris, dispose of used bulletins only, leave any bulletins that have not been handed out on the usher stand, straighten the chairs
v Make sure the offering is placed in the safe, place the attendance sheets on the vestry table
v Please do not remove the plates from the Chancel until the music has stopped
v After 10:30 service remove the folding chairs from the overflow area, turn off lights and close the doors
v Help Elders in locking the doors after the 5:00 pm and 10:30 am services
MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO HELP US CELEBRATE AND ENHANCE OUR LITURGIES AS USHER AND HOSPITALITY MINISTERS.
Rev. 05.09.2007
Return to Ministries Home Page