SUNDAY WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

The Worship committee’s responsibility is to promote the spiritual life of the congregation though worship services, working closely with the ministers and director of music to assure that services provide the means of grace to all. This includes planning of regular services as well as planning and implementation of all special services.  There are several teams who support worship throughout the church.

ACOLYTES

The acolyte program is a wonderful way for the children of the church ages 3^rd grade and up to experience actively participating in the Sunday worship service.  An acolyte serves at the altar of God, assisting the pastor and helping everyone at church see the glory of God when they come to worship.  The “Light of Christ” is brought in to worship by the acolyte and the “Light” is then taken out of worship to signify taking the love of Christ back into the world. Most of our children are very eager to serve and the congregation is always so proud to see them participating in this way.

If your child or children would like to participate as an acolyte, contact the church office at 409-886-7466 or via the contact form on the home page.

 Click here to view pictures of several of our acolytes

ALTAR GUILD

The Altar Guild of FUMC was organized in January, 1982.  Rev. James Thompson saw a need for having the altar prepared for all seasons of the church year. Three teams of ladies alternate duties each month.  Duties consist of having oil in the candles on the altar, water in the baptism font, lights on in the sanctuary and bulletins place on the lectern.

At certain times the altar paraments will be changed according to the color of the season and tapestries will also be rotated. For example, the Communion tapestry will be hung on the left of the sanctuary on the first Sunday and then changed to the Word tapestry for the rest of the month.

One of the most important services the Altar Guild provides to the church is decorating the church for Advent and Easter.  This includes the Poinsettia and Easter Lilly sales that so beautifully decorate the altar.  Members and visitors enjoy the wonderful decorations the Altar Guild has so skillfully designed and displayed.

If you have a knack for design and decor or would enjoy participating in preparing the altar for Sunday worship service and decorating for the seasons, the Altar Guild is open to all.  Please contact the church office at 409-886-7466 or via the contact form on the home page.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Dates altar flowers are still needed: 
August 29
September 19
October 31
November 14

If you would like to provide the altar flowers for the Sunday morning worship service as a memorial or honorium, please contact the church office at 409-886-7466 or via the contact form on the home page.

GREETERS

Greeting is an important service performed by church members with a desire to make our congregation warm and welcoming for visitors and members.  All that is required is a friendly smile and 15-20 minutes of your time once a month.

Below is a description of the duties of greeters for the 8:55 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.  All greeters need to have their name tags and greeter badges on and be in place 15 minutes before their service begins.

8:55 a.m. Service in the Praise Center

Parking lot greeters stand at the outside doors, greet with a smile and/or handshake, hand out the bulletins, hold the door and watch for those in need of assistance.

Inside greeters stand inside the Praise Center near the name tags to greet with a smile and/or handshake, assist with name tags, make sure the candles are lit and the collection plates are on the altar, and pass out the Registration Booklets as soon as the announcements begin.

During the service, all greeters will assist with the offering.

On the first Sunday, the inside greeters will also check to be sure the baskets are on the stage and assist with Communion.

11:00 a.m. Service in the Sanctuary

Parking lot greeters stand in or near the parking lot in order to greet and assist members and visitors.

Inside greeters stand on the porch in front of the sanctuary or downstairs between the stairs if the weather permits.

Both sets of greeters welcome members and visitors with a smile and/or a handshake and assist visitors as needed.

On the first Sunday, the inside greeters will also assist with Communion.

Greeter Leaders for 2010

Changes

LAY READERS

The Lay Reader participates in each worship service.  The Lay Reader leads the congregation in the “Prayer of Illumination” after which the Lay Reader reads the Scripture prior to the minister’s sermon.

On occasion the Lay Reader may assist in serving communion.

Lay Readers are members who serve in this capacity several times a year.

If you have a desire to serve as a Lay Reader, contact the church office at 409-886-7466 or via the contact form on the home page.

Lay Readers

USHERS

The Ushers are in the worship services to welcome people to the service and hand out bulletins as the people enter the Church and help them find a seat as needed.

The Ushers also pass the collection plates for each service and direct the people to the altar area for communion service. At the end of the service the Ushers open the doors so that people may exit the buildings.

Other Ministries

• Church Council
• Community Connexion
• Discipleship
• Evangelism
• Fellowship Life
• Intercessory Prayer
• Missions/Outreach
• MOPS
• Sunday Worship Participants