Layserver and Reader Manual

Layserver and Reader Manual

St. Mark's
Episcopal Church
3rd and A Sts., S.E.
Washington DC 20003

The Holy Eucharist

The following instructions outline the procedures for a "usual" eucharist (either I or II). All instructions are subject to change by the priest and/or by the worship task force responsible for the service!

Before the Service

• Layservers and readers (including the person doing the Prayers of the People) should come to the church at least 20 minutes before the service, report to the Manager of Ceremonies, and receive instructions.

General Notes

• The congregation watches you. Although you probably know the eucharistic prayers by heart, have the Prayer Book open, anyway. Also, have the hymnal open during the hymns at your chair. At the Altar, you should not have either book. Prayer Books are at your seat in the nave, hymnals are on the shelf in the Sacristy.
  
  
• Be sure you have a bulletin so you know what is happening next.
  
  
• After the procession and the opening sentences, the first reader should proceed to the lectern and the second reader should sit down slowly (regardless of what the congregation does).
  
  

The Procession (Layservers Only)

• Bring a hymnal with you (there are several in the Sacristy). A Prayer Book should already be at your chair.
  
  
• Process Order

  [Wardens]
  [Thurifer]
  Crucifer
  Torch Torch
  [Server]
  [Choir]
  L3
  I
  L1
  L2
  Co-Celebrant Celebrant
  [Bishop]

  • As those ahead of you approach the altar, slow down slightly so that you do not have to stop while they go around the Altar. Keep moving. Watch each other to stay together (but not in step!). When in doubt, slow down.
    
    
  • When you get to the Altar, hesitate slightly, then turn right and walk to your seat.
    
    
  • Remain standing until the clergy sit.
    
    
• Seating
  
  
  • All layservers sit on the long pew on the 3rd St. side of the altar with L1 nearest the lectern and I nearest the rector's chair.
    
    
• Passing of the Peace
  
  
  • Be sure to start the passing of the Peace, in your designated section. Otherwise people get left out.
    
    
  • I goes to the Choir, usually with the Rector.
    
    
  • L3 goes to the section just behind them (3rd St. side section).
    
    
  • L2 goes to the section just across from them (Courtyard side section).
    
    
  • L1 goes to the northwest section by the Tower door.
    
    
• The Great Thanksgiving: At the end of the Offertory, step up to the platform in the following positions:
  
  
  • L1 steps to the left-hand corner of the platform by the lectern on the same side.
    
    
  • L2 steps to the right-hand corner by the co-celebrant's chair on the opposite side.
    
    
  • L3 steps to the right-hand corner by the celebrant's chair on the same side.
    
    
  • I steps to the center of the high altar side of the platform.
    
    
  • The MC goes to stand to the right of I on the high altar side of the platform.
    
    
• The Communion
  
  
  • L1 follows the priest (Co-celebrant) on the left.
    
    
  • L2 follows the priest (Deacon) on the right.
    
    
  • L3 follows the priest (Celebrant) that starts at the corner by the pulpit. If there are only 2 clergy, L3 waits and starts the chalice at the same corner.
    
    
  • I follows L1 with one intinction cup. MC follows L2 with the other intinction cup.
    
    
    • Intinction cups are the short chalice and the chalice with the jeweled ring around the middle.
      
      
  • Intinction layservers should simply follow the layserver with the chalice on their side of the altar. There is no need to rush around from one side of the platform to the other so please stay on your side: either the 3rd St. side or the Courtyard side.
    
    
  • Please do not point and gesture while on the altar platform. Be discreet if you have questions about anything or if you need to give directions to anyone.
    
    
  • If you are unsure if small children are going to take the cup, ask the adult they are with. If the children do, be careful so they do not drop or spill it the chalice. You should say the same words for children as you do for adults.
    
    
  • When your cup needs to be refilled, go to to acolyte on your side of the altar. Hold the cup low enough that they can see where they are pouring.
    
    
  • Wipe the rim of the cup thoroughly at every opportunity, especially between tables of communicants. Use enough pressure that lipstick and anything else remaining on the chalice is removed.
    
    
  • At the 11:00 service, the intinction layserver on the 3rd St. side of the altar also carries a glass goblet with grape juice for those who want a non-alcoholic alternative.
    
    
• Recessional
  
  
  • The order is the same as the processional except the choir does not recess.
    
    

  [Wardens]
  [Thurifer]
  Crucifer
  Torch Torch
  [Server]
  L3
  I
  L1
  L2
  Co-Celebrant Celebrant
  [Bishop]

The Readings

1. The First Reading
   
   
   • After the opening sentences, without sitting down, walk to the lectern.
     
     
   • Do not take your insert with you -- read from the bible on the lectern if at all possible!
     
     
   • Begin the reading with the formula provided ("A reading from ..."). Speak slowly, loudly, and clearly, as you would to someone with difficulty hearing.
     
     
   • Often there is a point near the end of the reading at which the lesson is stated. Pause before this point to give the lesson emphasis.
     
     
   • At the end of the reading, pause. Then say, "The Word of the Lord" (not "words" -- the Word here refers to the divine creative Act, or the ).
     
     
   • Return to your chair.
     
     
2. The Second Reading
   
   
   • During the last one or two verses of the First Reading, rise and proceed to the lectern.
     
     
   • Follow the instructions as for the first reading.
     
     
   • Return to your chair.
     
     
3. The Prayers of the People
   
   
   • Insert individual prayers and petitions into the appropriate places. If the form calls for a pause and then an invited response, individual prayers and petitions can be added during the pause. In forms with specific responses and no pauses, you might begin the prayer with "Remembering especially . . ." or add the phrase in an appropriate place before the end. If the form allows, you may invite other petitions from the congregation (e.g., "and for those we now name" or "and for others known to us").
     
     
   • Remember that these are prayers. They should be pronounced clearly and reverently.
     
     
   • Petitions in both the Diocesan and Anglican cycles of prayer should be included.
     
     

The Holy Communion

1. Preparation
   
   
   • ..The layservers remain at their seats as the priests go to the Altar.
     
     
   • When the celebrant begins the Great Thanksgiving, step up to the Altar platform and stand at the places designated below.
     
     
2. The Communion
   
   
   • When the priests indicate, step up onto the Altar platform. Accept Communion as it is offered.
     
     
   • Take the chalice and purificator as they are offered. If the priest leaves your chalice on the Altar, pick it up. Hold the purificator in your left hand, hold the stem of the chalice with your right hand and the base with your left. When you are standing and waiting to administer the chalice, hold it as above slightly to your right (so you are not breathing into it).
     
     
     • NOTE: If you are left-handed, hold the chalice in your left hand and the purificator in your right. The important thing is to have control of the vessel to avoid accidents.
       
       
   • Administer the chalice with your right hand (if you are right-handed). Most communicants will assist you by taking the chalice, then passing it on to the next communicant. Others will give it back to you; either take the cup or gesture for them to pass it on.
     
     
   • A crystal goblet of grape juice is offered for Communion on the 3rd St. side of the platform at the 11:00 AM. service.
     
     
   • Communicants taking the wine by intinction will dip the bread into it themselves. Be sure to hold the chalice down, so they can see what they are doing. [Chalices for intinction are shorter and wider than the other chalices. If you are unsure which chalice that is, ask one of the celebrants.]
     
     
   • If a communicant drops their bread, pick it up and place it on the Altar. If you spill wine on a communicant, use the purificator to wipe the spill. If you spill wine on the floor (more than a drop or two), cover it with the purificator and ask the verger or an acolyte to get another purificator from the sacristy.
     
     
   • When administering the chalice, use the following formula with each communicant:
     
     
     • "The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation."
       
       
   • Remember that the chalice is a holy vessel and the administration of the chalice is a holy ritual. The chalice should be offered to each person individually, and the words should be spoken reverently and with emphasis to each person individually. You should not use anyone's name so as not to make those whose names you do not know feel left out. Nonetheless, each communicant should be made to feel special and blessed as a member of the Communion.
     
     
3. After Communion
   
   
   • Return your chalice and purificator to the Altar.
     
     
   • Once the last Communicants have been dismissed, return to your chairs and be seated until the post-Communion prayer, at which time you stand.
     
     

The Recessional

• Follow the Crucifer, the Torchbearers, and the Server in the retiring procession. Walk slowly to the high altar area.
  
  
  • Layserver L2 should remain with the Celebrant at the font end of the nave. Be prepared to hold her/his Prayer book during the final blessing if they desire.
    
    
  • The other layservers should stand behind the torchbearers near the organ.
    
    
• After the dismissal (usually pronounced by the Co-Celebrant), move away from the organ so the organist is not disturbed during the postlude.
  
  
• Return your guide sheet and hymnal to the shelf in the sacristy.
  
  
• The layserver who remained with the Celebrant should offer to carry the priest's Prayer Book, stole, or other items back to the sacristy. If you take the stole, either hang it up or drape it over the chair in the sacristy.