USHERS

Picture this:  

            Two people come to church - a little nervous maybe. They're not really happy or sad. They're sort of ready to feel welcomed and at home - or rejected and taken for granted. They enter -- and they are met by a person with their back to them, or talking to someone else. When they finally turn to them; they nod, mutter something under their breath, hand them a piece of folded paper, and turn back to what they were doing. After Worship, they have no chance to affect their mood - because they're gone.

Now picture this:

            The same two people come to our church. They have the feelings as above. However they're met by someone with a warm smile, greeted with a handshake, introduced and asked their names. Any children are given some crayons and a coloring sheet and they are invited to sit where they like, and told that he/she hopes they enjoy the service. After Worship - as he/she casually greets people - they reinforce the invitation to return and maybe chat with them for awhile and make them feel glad they came.

One of the above descriptions was an usher who hands out bulletins - the other was an ambassador for Christ, an USHER at Community Lutheran Church. We’ll leave it to you to figure out which was which and which you are.

Instructions & Helpful Hints

1.         Arrive at church at least 20 minutes early. 

2.         Check with the House Manager and Pastoral Aide to see if there are any changes in the worship
            service and find out how the offering and communion will be handled.

3.         Read quickly through the Worship Folder to see the order of the service -- BE SURE EVERYTHING IS
            READY FOR WORSHIP.

             +          See that there are pens/pencils, care sheets, and prayer request cards in the Community Care
                         Folders. (If you don't know - ask!)

             +          Be sure there are crayons for the children and inform parents of their location when
                         appropriate.

             +          Are the offering baskets behind the altar?

4.         Stand by the doors and pass out any Worship Aides. Greet each person as a friend and as if you
             wanted them to come back (you know you do).

5.         Inform families with small children that a nursery is available!! KEEP AN EYE OUT -- If the family is
            visiting, show them where the nursery is and introduce them to the person serving in the nursery. BE
            TACTFUL - BUT KIND in requesting that noisy children and infants be taken out. Don't let anyone
            back in during the sermon, reading of the Word, or during Special Music (perhaps offer them a chair in
            the back of the church). 

6.         Keep watch of unaccompanied children sitting in the front rows. Assist them in sitting with their
            parents. Also be sensitive to groups of children sitting together who may cause disturbances.

7.         Pass out the Community Care Folders at the proper time - normally during Daily Discipleship.

8.         Keep your eyes open and be prepared to offer your assistance wherever needed such as assisting
            the elderly and handicapped to communion.

9.         Collect Community Care Folders during communion and take them to the Board/Cry Room for the
            Cookie Coordinator.

10.       Count the number of communicants. After the service, record the worship and communion attendance
            in the correct place.

11.       Straighten the chairs and pick up any papers after the service. Remember, you are representing God
            and our church!

A SUMMARY

Ushering is not only important, it is perhaps the greatest influence on how a person feels as they; enter church, are graciously invited to the Lord's Table, and leave for home. Don't be absent and don't forget that you are a host. In fact, be a "Host with the most!"