If you are interested in serving as an Altar Minister, reading Scripture or the Prayers of the People, please contact the Rector.
The central liturgical act of the Christian church is the celebration of Holy Eucharist. Dom Gregory Dix tells us that Holy Eucharist "was instituted by…Jesus Christ Himself…and…has ever since been the heart and core of Christian worship and Christian living…." For this reason altar service is a profound gift that should be carried out with dignity and grace. In demeanor altar servers should neither appear glum nor joyless, but neither should servers appear carefree or casual.
Crucifer
The crucifer carries the processional cross both at the beginning and at the end of the service. According to Dix, the use of the cross in procession was first seen shortly after the reign of Constantine. It did not acquire a consistent liturgical use, however, until the eighth or ninth centuries in France and then in Rome.
At St. John's, except when there is a thurifer, the crucifer leads the procession bearing the cross down the side aisle closest to the church hall and up the center aisle and retraces that route back to the church hall during the recessional. The crucifer should walk at a dignified pace while keeping in mind the length of the processional hymn. Also, during the reading of the Gospel, the crucifer bears one torch while the second chalicer bears the other. Together they process in the Gospel procession down the center aisle to the 6th pew stopping there and turning toward each other. Further, at the distribution of Holy Communion the crucifer bears the water chalice saying the words, "The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation," for each person partaking of it.
Acolytes
The "official carrying of two lights at the gospel is first mentioned by S. Isodore of Seville early in the seventh century…." It seems likely that this early use was very practical as the candles illuminated the text. The purely ceremonial use comes much later and is associated both with the entering procession and the Gospel procession.
At St. John's, acolytes are assigned only occasionally for special services. If assigned specifically as "acolyte," the minister walks in procession with partner a few steps behind the crucifer both during the processional and the recessional. The acolytes also carry their torches for the Gospel procession as outlined in the section labeled "crucifer." When no acolytes are assigned, which is the more common practice, the torches are borne by the crucifer and the second chalicer for the Gospel procession only.
Thurifer
"By the end of the fifth century some use of incense in Christian churches appears to have been more or less universal," according to Dix. The incense is burned in an object referred to as the "thurible" and is carried, not surprisingly, by someone called the "thurifer."
At St. John's incense is usually used on Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, the Great Vigil of Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints Sunday. It may also be used on any other special occasion. When used, the thurifer leads the procession with thurible and leads the recessional empty-handed. Upon reaching the altar the thurifer stands off to the right and awaits the celebrant, who will cense the altar. The thurifer also leads both the Gospel procession and the offertory procession. After the offertory procession and the censing of the altar by the celebrant, the thurifer in turn censes the celebrant, then the choir and the congregation in that order. The common practice is to shake the thurible in the direction of those being censed two swings up and one swing down for a total of three times. Don't fret this-- practice makes perfect.
Second Chalicer
Serving the second cup of wine is this minister's chief function. The second chalicer also has several other responsibilities including leading the appointed Psalm for the day, acting as acolyte along with the crucifer during the Gospel procession when there are no specifically assigned acolytes, and helping the subdeacon prepare the altar by carrying items from the credence table. At the offertory procession the second chalicer also receives the money offering and either places it on the altar or carries it over to the bottom shelf of the credence table. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the second chalicer stands on the celebrant's right and will sometimes be asked to turn the pages of the altar book as the celebrant reads the Prayer.
In the procession, the second chalicer walks directly in front of the subdeacon. Because the chalicer does not carry the Gospel book, he or she will often carry a hymnal and sing.
Subdeacon
Dix tells us that the subdeacon, like acolytes and lectors, is a minor order, which existed as early as A.D. 200. The subdeaconate was an appointment to a particular duty which "could be performed by any capable layman."
At St. John's the particular duties of the subdeacon include carrying the Gospel book in the procession, unless there is a deacon, in which case the deacon carries the book. In the procession, the subdeacon walks directly in front of the celebrant, or in front of the deacon if there is one. Other duties of the subdeacon include holding the Gospel book during its reading, leading the Creed, leading the preparation of the altar for the offertory, and receiving the gifts along with the second chalicer. Further, the subdeacon, who stands on the celebrant's left, also administers the "lavabo," carries the first chalice of wine, and leads in the clearing of vessels and remaining consecrated bread and wine after the distribution of Holy Communion. When there is a deacon at the service some of these duties will vary from the norm. As an additional note, after the service it is the responsibility of all ministers led by the subdeacon to prayerfully and respectfully address any unconsumed consecrated bread and wine. It is not the responsibility of altar guild members to do so.
Lector (Reader)
The lector's responsibility is to read the Old and New Testament readings at the service. Lectors should practice the readings several times during the week leading up to the service and acquaint themselves with the lectern and the stump upon which the lector stands. A common problem for lectors is that they sometimes read too fast and with not enough volume. "Louder and slower" is always good advice.
Greeter and Leader of the Prayers
At St. John's these two roles have been combined to be led by one person. As greeter, the task requires that the assigned individual be at the back of the church no later than 15 minutes prior to the service, turn on all lights at the back including those in both entry ways, and distribute the service leaflet for the day. A smile, and sometimes a handshake or a hug, is common. The greeter also seeks out and invites a family to bring up the offertory gifts during the offertory procession. The greeter should remain at the back of the church through the end of the second reading so that late comers can also be welcomed.
As leader of the prayers, which follow the Creed or sermon, the task requires that the individual lead the prayers from the back of the church. The leader invites the congregation to stand and join in the prayers telling the congregation that the prayer form is located in the service leaflet. The prayers should be led in a dignified fashion with a brief pause between each petition so that members of the congregation can offer an individual petition. At the appropriate places in the prayer form, the leader should also include the names of individuals who have asked for prayers, the names of parishioners who are celebrating birthdays or other happy events, and the names of the deceased for whom the flowers may be given. Following the prayers, the leader should remain at the back of the church to help organize the offertory procession.
If you are interested in serving as an Altar Minister, reading Scripture or the Prayers of the People, please contact the Rector.