Worship at St. Marks

What Every LION Should Know

Being a LION is both a rewarding and a challenging job. There is the chance to be creative, to shape a service, and to help facilitate individual and corporate relationships with God. At the same time there is a tension inherent in the task. The LION will often have to be so involved in the details of planning and implementing the service that it will sometimes be difficult for you to worship. The reward in the job is the knowledge that you have freed others to worship through your creation of a seamless, inspiring, thought provoking Sunday service.
Recruiting members for a Task Force can sometimes be difficult. You may have to buttonhole parishioners on Sunday after the service and ask them to serve. Be persuasive; use your powers of salesmanship. Try to get a good mix of people -- some who have been on Task Forces before and some who haven't, some new parishioners and some old-timers. Don't hesitate to ask your own friends and acquaintances if you think they would be good Task Force members.
Task force meetings are scheduled for the forthcoming year by the co-directors and the clergy. The co-directors are also responsible for reserving space for the task force meetings. However, if the task force finds it necessary to reschedule a meeting they should feel free to do so in consultation with the preacher. If a task force meeting is rescheduled please be sure to advertise the change of time.
Make sure you have keys to the building so you can get in for task force meetings and lock up after the meetings. Keys can be requested from Ed Green.
Obtain copies of the pre-printed worship planning forms from the parish office or the website, www.stmarks.net/worship/lions/index.htm. Use them - they make service planning much easier but do not allow your imaginations to be restricted by them. If you just "fill in the blanks", you will guarantee us boring worship. Think about different ways of beginning each service, dramatic ways to present the readings, alternate positions in the liturgy for such things as the Confession and the Peace. Also remember that task forces may, in consultation with the clergy, substitute lectionary readings write their own Prayers of the People, find an alternate to the Nicene creed or even write the confession.
Obtain copies of the “What’s working/what’s not working form” from the website or from the co-directors. This form should be filled out at the beginning of each task force meeting so that the task force may reflect on the previous Sunday’s worship experience. The second section of this form which addresses upcoming special service events such as a dance, baptism, commissioning should also be filled out at the meeting or shortly thereafter. Copies of both forms should be forwarded to the co-directors.
Bring a copy of the worship calendar with you, and check to see what may be on it that will affect worship planning (e.g., dates of scheduled baptisms, welcome of new communicants, etc.). A copy of the calendar is also on the St. Mark’s website. The worship calendar also includes the preaching schedule. The rector issues the final preaching schedule although he usually consults with the associate/Associate Rector, seminarian and Co-directors of worship in designing the preaching schedule.
At least three months before the Task Force for a given season holds its first meeting, the LIONs in charge of that Task Force should meet with the clergy to discuss seasonal themes/foci as well as occasional liturgies that may have to be included in a worship service, such as the installation of Vestry members or Sunday school teachers. When one of these is included, you may have to omit some other segment of the service (usually the Confession, or perhaps even the Creed) in order to keep it from running too long.
Check out musical resources. Confer with the Director of Music as far in advance as possible regarding the schedule for the Choir and any music that may be particularly suitable for your season. The Director of Music is also the person to see about obtaining guest instrumentalists. Finally, be aware of other musicians or musical groups in and around the parish, or individuals who may want to present a musical offering.
Maintain liaison with the St. Mark’s Dancers and Players. Find out from the Director of Dance what is in their current repertoire, how long each selection is, and what it is about, so that appropriate dances may be included in the worship service from time to time. The Players have productions three times a year during Late Pentecost, Lent, and the Great 50 Days seasons. Short scenes from these plays might be appropriate for inclusion in a worship service.
Be aware of what is required in every worship service and what may be omitted, and when (e.g., do not omit the Confession during Lent). If in doubt, consult one of the clergy.
When a Task Force decides that there will be no announcements on a particular Sunday, a notice to that effect must be put in the bulletin on the two preceding Sundays. NOTE: As a matter of Worship Committee policy, there may not be two Sundays in a row without announcements, except for sometimes for Palm Sunday and Easter.
Find ways to include the children of the parish, especially the older children, in the worship service from time to time. They are always eager to participate, and are delighted to be asked.
Guest preachers (including adjunct clergy) should be contacted to make sure that he or she understands that there is an obligation to meet with the Task Force ahead of time to plan the sermon.
When selecting hymns know which hymns are customary or traditional for particular Sundays. For example, there are two hymns which we always sing on Palm Sunday and at no other time. Also keep in mind the role of the hymn in the service. Processional and recessional hymns should be long enough so the service participants can process in and recess out without rushing. They should be upbeat whereas communion or gradual hymns may be more contemplative.
A long-standing rule of thumb has been that we will not usually have more than one new hymn per service. To find out which hymns are familiar and which ones have never (or rarely) been sung at St. Mark’s, refer to the Master Hymnal. Every hymn you choose for a service should be recorded in the Master Hymnal by the date of the service. The same rule of thumb should generally apply to other liturgical novelties, such as a change in the Confession or a rearrangement of the parts of the service.
Several hymns appear in the hymnal with two different tunes. Occasionally you will find one in the Master Hymnal with the words "Wrong Tune" written at the top of the page. This means simply that the other tune is the one we are accustomed to singing at St. Mark's.
When you try something new in a worship service, it is often a good idea to put a note in the bulletin about it, either at the point where it happens or in a separate insert. You may even want to discuss it briefly in an oral announcement. Parishioners are generally less resistant to any change when they understand what it is and why it is being made.
When the church needs to be set up a certain way for a particular service, such as a baptism or a service involving the Dancers, be sure to let the clergy know in advance so that the sexton can do whatever needs to be done.
In planning individual services, remember that a piece of poetry appropriate to the season may be used as a lesson, in lieu of or in addition to a passage from scripture (but never in lieu of the Gospel). The task force must clear this with the clergy first.
For each Sunday during your season, the Task Force should appoint a Master of Ceremonies for each service. The M.C. should check in with verger in the vesting area fifteen minutes before the service to make sure that everything is in order and that there are no loose ends (e.g., missing readers or lay servers). Specific instructions for the Masters of Ceremonies are appended to this document.
Task forces are not responsible for recruiting lay servers, acolytes, beadles, bread and wine contributors, or readers. There are lay coordinators for all these functions, see Participant Coordinators at www.stmarks.net/worship/committee.html.
The Readers’ Guild is responsible for supplying one reader and one liturgist (prayer leader) for each service. If the Task Force includes both the Hebrew Scripture and the Epistle in the service, they are responsible for recruiting the second reader.
When someone makes a special contribution to the success of a particular service or group of services, that contribution should be recognized, publicly or privately as circumstances dictate. Egos can be very sensitive and a "thank you" can go a long way.
The names of your Task Force members should be listed in the bulletin throughout your season. This will let the members of the parish know to whom they should direct their compliments -- or concerns -- about the service.
Submit the Worship Planning Form to the Parish Assistant on a timely basis. The form must be received by noon on the Monday before the Sunday service. However since Task Forces generally meet 12-13 days ahead of time, if you complete the form earlier do not hang on to it, submit it as soon as possible.
Be aware of, and responsive to, criticism -- but don't let it get to you. Like anyone else in a position of responsibility, a LION must develop a thick skin.

Season by Season

Mid-and Late Pentecost

Although this season runs from approximately the middle of September up to the beginning of Advent, in recent years it has been subdivided into two mini-seasons so that no single Task Force has to work for two and a half months. Mid-Pentecost often includes Christian education themes, and we usually devote one or more Sundays in October to themes related to the Every Member Canvass. Late Pentecost covers the end of October through most of November, until the beginning of Advent.
November 1 is All Saints' Day. It is a major feast (see Prayer Book, page 15) and is always celebrated at St. Mark's. If November 1 does not fall on a Sunday, the celebration occurs on the Sunday following November 1. It is has been our custom to mark the day by arranging the seating in the style of a university chapel (three fourths of the seats facing each other along the central aisle) and by using the modified high altar arrangement. This helps the congregation focus on the columbarium. If the task force would prefer to have this service in the round they should discuss this with the clergy. This service also includes baptisms.
Two hymns are often sung at St. Mark's on All Saints' Day: "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" and "For All the Saints."
It has been the custom in some years to provide a period in the service on All Saints' Day, usually during the Prayers of the People, when members of the congregation may offer prayers for their own friends and loved ones who have recently died. Another recent practice has been to read the names of those whose ashes have been placed in the columbarium, although this has not been done consistently.

Advent

The Advent wreath is hung over the altar throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, in lieu of the cross. It is usually in place before the First Sunday of Advent, but sometimes the Task Force decides to have it carried in the procession and hung at the beginning of the service. If you elect to do this, bear in mind that the wreath is made of wrought iron and is heavy. You will need two or three strong persons to carry it. Logistics should be worked out with the clergy ahead of time.
Regardless of when the wreath is hung, you will usually need someone to lower it at the beginning of each service so that one or more of its candles may be lit. That person will then have to raise it again to its proper position. For this job you will need to appoint someone with strong shoulder muscles to operate the cable and pulley.
The Advent wreath was a gift to the church from Scilla Adams in memory of her father, Neil Ramsay. A notice to this effect should be included in the bulletin (both services) at least once or twice during Advent, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to include it throughout the season.
The First Sunday of Advent always begins a new liturgical year, A or B or C (see Prayer Book, page 888). You need to be aware of this so that you can use the correct lectionary when planning your services. If in doubt about which year you are in, consult the clergy.
Do not include any Christmas hymns or carols in the services during Advent. They should be reserved for the Christmas season.

Christmas

The Christmas LIONs are responsible for the Christmas Eve evening services, the Christmas Day service and for any Sunday services between Christmas and Epiphany. Traditionally, we have the service of Lessons and Carols at one 10am service on the Sunday after Christmas. If the Christmas season includes two Sundays (which happens when Christmas falls on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday), you will have to plan a regular service for the second Sunday after Christmas.
The Christmas LIONs are not responsible for planning the Christmas Eve pageant. The “Mother of Mary” together with the clergy is responsible for this service.
Decorating the church for Christmas is not the job of the Christmas Task Force. It has been done by various parish groups over the years, and lately the Worship Committee has assumed responsibility for it.
The Christmas crèche was made and given to the church by Betty Foster. A notice in the bulletin acknowledging her gift would be appropriate at least once or twice during the Christmas season, including (especially) Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Epiphany

This season, unlike the others (except for Late Pentecost), varies in length from year to year. Before you start recruiting for your Task Force, you should find out exactly when the Epiphany season ends and how many Sundays you will have to plan for. The parish calendar will tell you these things, as well as the number of meetings your Task Force will have. If Epiphany runs for 7-8 Sundays, the co-directors may split the season into two with two separate task forces or they may assign 3 LIONs to head the Task Force.
Because of the Christmas holidays, your Task Force will have to begin its work well in advance of the Epiphany season. It is virtually impossible to schedule any meetings during the last two weeks of December. After your first three or four meetings, therefore, you will normally recess until after January 1. This may make the season seem longer than it really is.
This season usually includes a baptism service, a welcoming of new communicants, and (sometimes) Theological Education Sunday. The dates of the first two can be determined from the parish calendar. There is some flexibility in scheduling Theological Education Sunday, but it usually is observed if at all sometime in late January or early February. Check with the clergy to find out whether you will need to include it in your plans for the season.
The Epiphany star was made and given to the church by Joya Cox. It is an icosahedron, each face of which also serves as the base of a pyramid. A notice in the bulletin acknowledging Joya's gift would be appropriate at least once or twice during the Epiphany season.
T.S. Eliot's poem "Journey of the Magi" is sometimes read as a lesson during this season, usually on the feast of the Epiphany. Even if you do not use it as a lesson, it can serve as a useful launch for a Task Force discussion because of its ambivalence about the Epiphany event.

Lent

The Lent Task Force is not responsible for the services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday (the Easter Vigil).
The Confession should not be omitted during Lent except on the first Sunday of Lent if the Great Litany is used.
It has been the custom at St. Mark's for many years to begin the service on the First Sunday of Lent with the Great Litany, either chanted or spoken. This is not a requirement, but if you decide to omit it, you will undoubtedly receive several complaints. Besides, the Great Litany is a significant part of our liturgical heritage, and it is worthwhile at least to be exposed to it from time to time. John Terry has written a statement explaining the Great Litany which can be included in the bulletin for the congregation’s edification.
The "Alleluias" just before the Communion are omitted during Lent. A notice should be included in the bulletin each Sunday to remind the congregation of this fact.
The Palm Sunday service always begins with the Liturgy of the Palms, held in the courtyard if the weather permits. This does not change from year to year, but you should be aware of it and plan your service to include it.
Two hymns are always sung on Palm Sunday, usually at the beginning of the service during the Liturgy of the Palms: "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" and "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty" (the latter to the tune from the 1940 Hymnal). They are specifically intended for Palm Sunday and are rarely sung at any other time. "0 Sacred Head, Sore Wounded" and "Were You There" are also appropriate for Palm Sunday.
The Gospel for Palm Sunday is always a recounting of the passion and death of Jesus. The lectionary suggests three different versions (Matthew, Mark, Luke) for the three liturgical years, but the custom at St. Mark's for a long time had been to use the Matthew 27:1-54 version each year. However in recent years the Mark gospel has also been employed. Talk to the clergy about this at your initial planning meeting.
The Palm Sunday Gospel is usually read in dramatic form, with different persons taking the parts of Jesus, Pilate, and others, in addition to the narrator. For Palm Sunday you will normally need four or five readers at each service. Plan ahead for this service and work with the Readers’ Guild to recruit good, strong readers. With enough advance planning, you can also work with the Players’ to a Readers Theater version of the Passion.

Holy Week and Easter

The Holy Week season includes services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Vigil on Saturday evening and Easter Sunday. In recent years, the clergy have led a short prayer service at noon on Holy Saturday. The choir sings at the Maundy Thursday and Easter Sundays services. There may also be pick-up choirs for the services on Good Friday and at the Vigil. The LIONs should discuss this with the music director at their initial meeting. The Good Friday service may or may not include administration of communion, but this is a decision which should be made by the clergy at the initial planning meeting for this season.
The Maundy Thursday service Eucharist requires a 2 readers and a liturgist, and the Tenebrae service which follows will require at least six more to read the Gospel passages and the Psalms. There is no sermon on that occasion, and the scripture readings are generally the same from year to year, both in the Eucharist and (with minor variations) in the Tenebrae office which follows. The Tenebrae scripture passages are always taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the Luke version of the Passion narrative concluding with Peter's denial, and the three or four Psalms are selected from a small group (e.g., 22, 38, 39, 88). The service always ends with Psalm 51, recited by the clergy as the Paschal Candle is carried out of the church by one of the vergers.
On Easter Day St. Mark's uses its own special liturgy for the beginning of the service, which is actually a very ancient liturgy re-enacting the arrival of the women at the tomb. The service on Easter Sunday has been largely unchanged from year to year and generally includes the hymns "Hail Thee, Festival Day" and "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today".
In consulting with the Director of Music about music for the Easter service, remember that the church will be filled to overflowing. Like most churches, we always have the biggest crowd of the year on Easter Sunday. The Director will let you know of any plans for extra instrumentalist or special music.
The Easter Task Force is not responsible for decorating the church for Easter or for any of the post-service festivities such as the Easter parade, if there is one. Your work ends with the singing of the final hymn. Likewise, the Task Force is not responsible for Easter flowers or balloons.

Great Fifty Days

During this season, the dismissal at the end of the service and the responsive "Thanks be to God" are always followed by "Alleluia, alleluia." See Prayer Book, pages 340 and 366.
This season always includes a Vestry installation (shortly after Easter) and usually includes Banner Sunday, marking the end of the Sunday school year in late May; it may also include a baptism and a welcoming of new communicants. These events should all be on the worship calendar. You will need to include them in your plans for the season.
If you want to omit the Confession, this season gives you your best opportunity. One Task Force a few years ago left it out of the service for the entire season.
The service on Pentecost sometimes include a "speaking in tongues" segment during the reading of the Pentecost lesson (Acts 2: 1-11). This has been done in various ways over the years. Consult prior bulletins or one of the more long-lived LIONs for details. Since you will need several "speakers" and they will need to refer to foreign-language Bibles, it is advisable to recruit them early.