Lay Ministry

Parish of St. Luke

Lay Ministry

The Ministry of the Laity

Lay ministry refers to the many ways the laity of the Church live out their baptismal covenant. The term “laity” is derived from the Greek word for “people.” As a gathered community, they exercise their ministry through parish organization, church activities and programs, and celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other sacraments. As a scattered community, they carry out the mission of the Lord in the home, in the marketplace, and in the many places where there are opportunities to live and share the Christian faith.

THE PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council is the governing body of the parish. It assists the parish rector in making and implementing plans, carrying out projects, and conducting other activities for the welfare of the parish, both temporal and spiritual. The Parish Council is comprised of nine laity (three men, three women, and three youths) and the clerical staff. The parish rector is the ex-officio presiding officer of the Council.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Acolytes – Lay ministers who assist in church services as servers, torchbearers, crucifers, thurifers, and banner bearers.

Altar Guild – Lay volunteers whose ministry is to take care of the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. They also prepare the sanctuary for services and decorate the sanctuary with flowers.

Oblationers – Refers to those who bring the bread and wine offered by the congregation for consecration in the Eucharist. They also bring other gifts presented by the faithful.

Ushers – Lay persons who greet and assist people as they enter the church. They may hand out service bulletins, answer questions of visitors and newcomers, count the number of people in the congregation, collect and present the plate offering at the offertory, and clean the pews and church building after the service.

Intercessors – Assigned persons to lead the prayers of the people, which are intercessory prayers.

Lectors – Lay persons appointed to read the lessons, or Scripture texts, during the Liturgy of the Word.

Cantor – A singer who sets the pitch and leads the liturgical singing of psalms, canticles, anthems, and other sung texts.

Choir – A body of singers who provide musical leadership for congregational singing in the worship of the church. They may also sing anthems or make other special musical offerings to enrich the worship experience of the congregation.

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