Servers at the Liturgy

Chalice Bearers

The chalice bearers assist the clergy in the celebration of the Eucharist by serving the chalice to those taking communion. If you are interested in becoming a chalice bearer you should contact Father George to discuss the role and the training process.

Participants

Toby Atkinson, Tom Basore, Neil Blalock, Sally Bonynge, Ben Buck, Nancy Carpenter, Jim Corbett, Asa Gillette, Lynn Grant, Liz McCall, Darrell Powell, Ilona Preliou, Frank Ridley, Bill Slattery, Rose Slattery, Cheryl Smith, Lucianne Thompson, John Train, Bob White, Chip Wood

Acolytes

Who are acolytes? Acolytes are young men and women who assist the clergy during worship services throughout the year. The term acolyte comes from a Greek word meaning to follow or to accompany. Acolytes have a long history in Christian worship and were first mentioned in church writings around 250 A.D. From ancient times to now acolytes have helped celebrants and parishioners alike to have a deeper worship experience.

What does an acolyte do? While acolyte duties can vary from parish to parish, generally an acolyte helps the priest perform various tasks in the worship service, to make the flow and transition of the liturgy appear seamless.

At St. Peter’s, acolytes perform three basic duties:

1. Crucifer – leads the procession with the cross.
2. Torch Bearer – lights the way for the procession.
3. Altar Server – helps with the offertory and with preparation of the Holy Eucharist.

Being an acolyte is a service of honor to God and to the worshipping community, and it is a privilege to serve at God’s altar. Acolytes are an important part of the worship service and should perform their tasks with dignity, humility and reverence.

Additional men, women, boys and girls are always needed and welcome to be acolytes. If you are interested please contact the Rev. Kimberly Still at 904-261-4293 or send an e-mail to her at the St. Peter’s office indicating your interest.

Participants

Lauren Barry, Brennan Barry, Bridget Barry, Sarah Beal, Ben Buck, Bud Davis, John Dickens, Avery Douglas, Allison Joyce, Erin Joyce, Thomas Morrison, Silas Mosco, Harrison Neal, Annie Page, Ashbell Paolillo, Kellam Paolillo, Seeley Paolillo, Kyla Roberts, Larissa Roberts, Jackson Selvidge, Reeves Simmons, Katie Vanderheiden

Lectors

People from teens to seniors serve as readers of the lessons. When assigned a lesson at any service, the reader receives the reading from the church office a few days beforehand. In the envelope is a copy of the lesson. If there are difficult Hebrew names, there is a pronunciation guide after those names. Our lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Holy Bible.

On Sunday, the reader walks up the center steps, stops for a moment in front of the altar, and then walks to the lectern. The lesson is always at the lectern. After finishing the reading, the reader pauses for a moment, then says “The Word of the Lord.” When the congregation responds, “Thanks be to God,” the reader returns to the pew via the side steps. How hard could that be? Ask to try it.

Participants

Lauren Barry, Tom Basore, Leigh Beal, Sarah Beal, Neil Blalock, Sally Bonynge, Shannon Brown, Jean Buatti, Ben Buck, Nancy Carpenter, Brenda Commandeur, Bill Dickson, Janet Gralin, Lynn Grant, John Paul Jones, Pat Lovejoy, Barbara Martin, Lilly Minotto, Thomas Morrison, Beverly Norton, Mike Peters, Ilona Preliou, Elizabeth Purvis, Anne Ramsay, Elizabeth Revell, Joanne Roach, Jackson Selvidge, Arthur Thomas, John Train, Bob White, Chip Wood

Intercessors

The intercessor picks up the prayer list in an envelope on the shelf in the back of the church, checks the bulletin to see which form of the Prayers of the People is being used in the service, and reviews it before the service. A strong voice is required because the intercessor is speaking from the pews, preferably from a seat where his or her voice will carry throughout the church.

Participants

Lauren Barry, Tom Basore, Shannon Brown, Ben Buck, Brenda Commandeur, Bill Dickson, Lynn Grant, John Paul Jones, Lilly Minotto, Norma Norris, Ilona Preliou, Elizabeth Purvis, Cheryl Smith, Dan Roach, Trey Warren, Bob White,

Ushers

The ushers are those friendly people who greet us at the door and hand us a bulletin. One of them has already rung the bell 15 minutes before the service is scheduled to begin, and they have checked to see that the church is in order. Early in the service the ushers count the number of persons present and communicate this to the priest before communion. The ushers also take up the collection, identify anyone who wishes to receive communion at the pew rather than at the altar, assist handicapped persons into or out of the building, and generally make every person feel welcome. After the service the ushers gather up any bulletins that are left behind in the pews and generally tidy up the church for the next service.

During communion “rail ushers” assist people at the steps to the altar and maintain an orderly flow of communicants. The two rail ushers take communion after everyone else has been served.

Ushering is an important ministry, offering the opportunity to welcome everyone who comes through our doors, both newcomers and “old timers.” It is a ministry open to both men and women, adults and teens.

Participants

David & Leigh Beal, Ben & Dolly Buck, Joe & Gail Crim, Bill & Betty Dickson, Nick Gillette, Janet Gralin, Bill & Lynn Grant, Bert & Wilhelmina Jenkins, Carl & Sue Jones, Doug & Jody Mackle, Don, Linda & Harrison Neal, Jerry & Beverly Norton, Mike Peters, Darrell & Virginia Powell, Johnell & Ilona Preliou, Vann & Stacey Simmons, Jerry & Cheryl Smith, Ben & Jennie Stephens, Alan & Javonna Vanderheiden, Bob & Cheryl White

Greeters

Greeters arrive approximately 30 minutes before the service to be available to greet parishioners, welcome newcomers and visitors, to distribute name tags, to give visitor cards to those who need them, and make notes of special requests or needs. All that’s needed is a warm smile, a friendly handshake, and the willingness to greet about once every two to three months. If you are interested in greeting fellow worshippers at the door of St. Peters please contact Brenda Commandeur, Greeter Ministry Leader, at 491-6136. She will be glad to explain the proceedures and expectations of the greeters.

Participants

Tom & Irene Basore, David & Leigh Beal, Annette & Randy Bell, Alice & Ray Benner, Gary & Bonnie Bong, Hayward & Ginny Burnett, Richard Butts, Linda Chaplin, Brenda Commandeur, Al & Sherry Ferber, Janet Gralin, Bill & Lynn Grant, Elsie Green, Molly Hendrickson, Bert & Wilhelmina Jenkins, Jeanette Johnson, Carl & Sue Jones, Jerry & Susie Kawecki, Dolores Lord, Jean Lumpkin, Laura Morris, Gerry Okin, Don & Andrea Parker, Johnell & Ilona Preliou, Elizabeth Revell, Michael & Sarah Shumrak, John & Evelyn Skowronski, Bill & Rose Slattery, Rich & Julie Smith, Joyce Stipcak, Mike & Debbra Sullivan, Hamp & Leslie Tanner, Jerry & Mary Lynn Torchia, Bob & Cheryl White, Margaret S. Williams, Marge Wilson, Bob & Cheryl White