Altar Guild

Altar Guild - St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Gladstone, NJThe Altar Guild is dedicated to looking after the church’s beautiful vestments, vessels, altar hangings and ornaments. They prepare the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist each Sunday, as they do for observance of other sacraments and offices of the church (baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc.).

The Guild has a schedule which calls for members to serve on a team for one calendar month each year.

The Altar Guild welcomes new members.

Contact: Melissa Spencer (spencer1868@gmail.com)

Worship Leaders

Worship leaders are lay members of the congregation who assist the clergy in the conduct of services at St. Luke’s. They read from the Scriptures, and they lead the congregation in the Psalms (if they are said rather than sung), the Creed and the Prayers of the People.

They also assist the clergy at the altar by administering the chalice during Holy Communion. More than 15 men and women (including a few teenagers) are Worship Leaders at St. Luke’s.

They are licensed by the Bishop and must undergo a brief training (one or two sessions).

Contact: Valerie Kent (vkent1@comcast.net)

Lectors

Lectors are members of the congregation who volunteer to read from the Scriptures during services. They may be any age from teens (occasionally even younger) to seniors.

They must be willing to prepare their readings carefully beforehand, checking on meanings and pronunciations, and they must be able to read accurately, not too fast, and with expression.

Contact Kate Deans (kate.deans1@gmail.com)

Ushers

A special ministry of hospitality, the Guild of Ushers welcomes worshipers to St. Luke’s by serving as hosts for Sunday services, as well as for all holiday and special services. The job includes managing seating, distributing bulletins, receiving and presenting the Offertory, guiding the flow of traffic to and from the altar rail for communion, and tidying up the church after the services.

Volunteers (male and female, and not excluding teenagers) are sought who are willing to undergo a training class and to usher at least once every 4-6 weeks for the 8:00 service and once every 12 weeks for the 9:30 service.

Contact: Emily Childs (kemily.childs@verizon.net)

Acolytes

The Corps of Acolytes is made up of about 30 young people (Grades 5 thru 12), who serve at the altar at the 9:30 AM service every Sunday, and about half a dozen adults, who serve at the altar at the 8 AM service on Sundays.

Acolyting is a wonderful way to be involved in assisting with worship. Acolytes generally take great pride in serving and enjoy the experience of being at the altar, assisting the clergy, and leading the congregation in worship.

Please contact Cheri Carlson (cheri.carlson598@gmail.com)for more information and/or to sign up to be an acolyte.