Helping Visitors Before Worship:

• Introduce yourself
• Find out who they are
• Answer any questions
• Invite them to see you after the service
• Introduce them to others
• Offer services of our nursery, but make sure they know children are welcome in worship
• If they enter from the parking lot door, walk them in and show them around

After Worship

• Thank visitors for coming
• Offer them a visitor pack (brochure)
• Be available to answer any questions

If you are unable to fulfill your duties, please contact someone from the usher list to take your place.  This is a very important ministry to our church, so we need to make sure your position is covered.

Future usher in training!

Before Worship

• Be at church 30 minutes before the service
• Place "handicapped" signs in front of the church
• Two ushers will be in the narthex and two will be in the back hall (4th Avenue) distributing bulletins until 10:30am.
• Ushers should be responsive to first-time visitors and help them be seated

During Worship

• You are worshipers as well as ushers.  You should be in worship and participate in the service.  Please remain in the sanctuary throughout the services.
• Rear seating (as much as possible) should be reserved for latecomers.
• Be sensitive about distractions and disruptive noises outside.  If necessary, close doors, speak to those who are disturbing the mood of worship by unnecessary conversations or movement.
• Avoid disruptive conversations between yourselves.
• Count the people at every service, including those in the nursery, etc. and record on the sheet on the credenza to the left in the narthex.
  
• Receive Offering:

        *  Four ushers up center aisle, two by two
        *  Arriving at the bottom step to the chancel, spread to four             abreast
        *  After receiving plates from acolyte, two proceed back up              center aisle, two proceed up side aisles (one on left, one                on right)
        * When all offering is received, two ushers will proceed                    down the center aisle carrying two plates each (after                    anthem is completed)
        * Return up center aisle to your seats

• Communion

        * One usher should come forward to receive communion                  with acolyte, crucifer, assisting minister, communion                    assistants and pastor.  After they have all received                        communion, usher should stand near the altar to watch                when the wine trays need replacing and carry a full tray              from the altar to the assistant  when needed and place                 empty tray on altar.  Two ushers should be in placed in the           center aisle and direct the congregation to the two stations           for communion (with the two sides forward at the same               time).  Keep a steady flow.  You may commune at the end             of the lines.  The choir will commune last, after the                       congregation.
       * Identify communicants who cannot come up for                             communion so that the pastor or assisting minister may               commune them in the pew.
       * Following communion, return to your seats.  Do not go into           the narthex.  Worship is not over.
After Worship

• Exchange greetings with worshipers as they leave.
• Return "handicapped" signs to narthex
• Put sanctuary back in order, collecting discarded bulletins, replacing worship books and discarding trash.
• Make sure all candles have been extinguished
• Turn out all lights and turn off fans
• Lock all doors