The Altar Guild Ministry offers a wonderful opportunity for members to be involved with worship preparation. Teams of 2-4 people switch on and off, with each team taking a turn about every 6 months. The hope is that everyone who serves does so with reverence and a heart full of thanksgiving to God, and for the privilege of worshipping Him. Young adults serve alongside their parents, working adults come in after their workday is done, and retired men and women have all loved to serve the Lord and His church.
Thank you Kathy, Laurie, Bobbie, Nina, Brandy, Greg, John, Jen, Ruthie, Alice, Cynthia, Christina, Madeline, Katrina, Kim, Elaine, Mary, Pam, and Gregg!
The altar guild changes and cares for the paraments (clothes that dress the altar, pulpit, and lectern) in the sanctuary and chapel. They fill candles, prepare for the sacraments of communion, clear the altar, re-set between services, and clean after communion. They keep the eternal flame lit, display name(s) on our baptismal banner, and generally make sure all preparations have been made for worship.
While members of the altar guild bless our worship time, they are also blessed with the relationships that develop among team members. They can also set their own schedule for most of the work that will be done. Learning to care for our worship spaces can seem like a lot of responsibility, but experienced altar guild members teach gently.
One of our veteran guild members said she gets a little nervous because she wants everything to be right for the Lord. This shows that she is reverent. She continued to say, “ but when I come in on a weekday and the sanctuary is quiet, I feel blessed and filled up.” She is thankful, renewed in spirit, and fulfilled by serving. If serving God in this way is of interest to you, please contact the church office to contact Gregg Sturrus, our altar guild coordinator.