Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    All:
       o  Arrive 15 minutes before the hour of worship for last minute
          instructions.
       o  Speak clearly and project your voice.
       o  Dress in a manner befitting your role.
       o  Anticipate your time to speak and be prepared to move
          without delay to the fore of the sanctuary when your
          time comes.
       o  Join in a time of prayer with the Pastor/worship leaders
	  5 minutes before the hour of worship.

    
    Welcome and Invocation:
       o  Welcome all worshipers.
       o  Recognize first time visitors.  You may ask first time visitors
          to identify themselves by raising a hand.  Welcome them with
          applause.  (Ushers will present them with a brochure)
       o  (Optional) Invite the congregation to take a moment to greet
          one another.
       o  Ask that all register their attendance on the attendance sheets
          usually located at the ends of the pews.
       o  Call attention to the announcements itemized on the back of
          the bulletin.  Ask if there are any additional announcements.
       o  Ask the congregation to join you the prayer of invocation.
       o  The prayer of invocation may be spontaneous or prepared in
          advance and read aloud.

    
    Scripture Reader:
       o  Practice the readings aloud ahead of time.  Call the Pastor
          if you're uncertain of any words in the readings.
       o  Announce the title of the passage you are reading for each
          Scripture lesson.
       o  Allow time for the congregation to locate the passage
          in their Bibles.
       o  When you read from the Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke and
          John), ask the congregation to "Rise as you are able."
       o  Upon concluding the Gospel reading, say, "This ends the reading
	  of the Scriptures.  Praise be to God," or the equivalent.
       o  Remain at the lectern until the singing of the GLORIA
          has come to completion.
    

    Prayers and Praises:
       o  Announce the time of community prayer.  Prayer requests are
          written in a notebook for that purpose, which is available
          to all on the table at the entry to the sanctuary.  It is
          probably wise to obtain this notebook and to peruse the
          requests in advance of announcing them aloud.
       o  As you go into the prayer, ask those who are comfortable in
          doing so to take the hand of someone nearby.
       o  Try to honor every prayer request received in your spoken
          prayer.
       o  The prayer may or may not close with the Lord's Prayer (spoken
	  or sung).
    

    Offertory:
       o  Announce that our church takes up 2 offerings.  The first, called
          "Change for Christ," is an offering of pocket change to support
	  special ministries and the second is for regular tithes and gifts.
       o  Ask the congregation to join you in prayer.
       o  The offertory prayer may be spontaneous or prepared in advance
          and read aloud.
       o  You may be seated after the offertory prayer.  The collection
          will be brought forward by an usher during the singing of
          "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow".
    

I compiled the preceding guidelines as an aid for worship leaders (primarily
laity) within my own congregation.

You may find them helpful should you be called upon to contribute in
such a capacity.  Feel free to reproduce and use the guidelines I've
posted at will.

Feel free to add the guidelines used by your own congregation.

Peace,
Richard