Usher Guidelines
General:
You are responsible for finding your own replacement if you are unable to attend the service for which you are scheduled. Refer to the church directory for the names and telephone numbers for a possible substitute. Be at the church at least 25 minutes prior to the commencement of the service.
Pre-Service:
Retrieve Usher tags from the cabinet near the main entrance. Attach the tag in the upper left quadrant of your apparel visible to the worshipers.
Before the early service check lighting, sound system, heat/AC (all thermostats are pre-programmed so they do not need to be touched). Make sure all doors to the church and Sunday school are unlocked. Get the Hearing Assistance devices from the church office and place them on the top of the cabinet with the Visitor Register.
All worshipers are to be greeted cordially, but quietly, and given a bulletin. As the church begins to fill, direct worshipers to open seats.
In the absence of a greeter ask visitors to sing the guest register. (We need to keep our conversations among ourselves brief so that we can focus our attention on the worshipers entering the church).
At 8:15 and 10:45 close all doors to the nave prior to Pastor's announcements. Guide latecomers to enter at appropriate times as indicated in the bulletin (during the welcome, prelude, gathering song, before the first reading and before the sermon).
Count all in attendance and enter on the sheet in back of the guest register (include those in the nursery, ushers, acolytes, crucifer, pastors and the choir).
A pew is available in the rear of the church for you to sit during the service after the choir moves to the loft.
Offering:
Two ushers will receive the offering at the early service and four ushers at the late service. The ushers will take their positions at the Narthex entrance doors just prior to the Pastor's announcement of the Offering.
Ushers proceed to the front to receive the offering plates form the acolyte.
At the early service: each usher will go first the outside section of the pew and proceed from the front to the back, then join the other usher at the front of the center section of pews and work together towards the back.
At the late service: the ushers in the center will take two plates and pass one to the usher at their left or right. When each usher has received a plate, turn towards your section and begin. Each pair of ushers will go first to the outside sections and work from the front pew to the back. Then one usher of each pair will go to the front pew of the center section and proceed to pass the offering plate to the back and the other tow ushers will start at the back and work towards the front. All four ushers should meet at the middle of the center section.
When all offerings have been received, all four ushers will proceed to the front and present the offering plates to the acolyte.
Put the communion rail and kneeler pad in place after the acolyte receives the offering. The ushers will return to their stations at the Narthex doors to await Communion.
Communion Instructions:
The choir and their families will commune at the first table.
Beginning with the second table make sure the table is full (24 worshipers can be at eth rail at one time). One usher on each side will move to a position near the front to act as a gatekeeper to control the flow to the table. Also be aware of any worshiper who may need assistance getting to or leaving the communion rail.
The second usher will guide worshipers when it is time to move forward.
Those on the right will start at the cent of the railing ad fill to the right - stopping at the right end of the rail.
Those in the left section will start at the left end of the rail and fill to the right - stopping at the center.
Those in the middle section will come from the back row first and follow your direction.
Worshipers will return to their seats via the outside aisles on either side.
Be alert to any worshiper who needs the Holy Sacraments taken to them in the pews. Whisper this information to the Pastor while you are receiving communion. (Be sure to tell the pastor the location of the worshipers needing the assistance.)
Ushers join the final table to receive Communion and then two ushers remove the communion rail section and kneeler pad before they depart to the rear at the Narthex doors.
Conclusion of the service:
Open the doors to the main narthex and outside doors at the start of the last hymn.
Pick up any bulletins or loose paper left in the pews. Straighten hymnals (do not leave hymnals upside down in the racks and make certain there is at least one hymnal in each rack). Check the friendship register in each pew. If there are names recorded in the register (for late service only). Collect the pages and place them in the Office Manager's box. Replacement pads for the friendship registers are kept in the stand under the guest register.
Remove and return usher tags to the cabinet.
Ushers at the late service should decide among themselves who is to be the lead usher.
-- Power down the sound system by turning off the power strip
-- Close and lock all outside doors after everyone leaves (kitchen, nursery, downstairs)
-- Turn off all lights throughout the church after the service.
-- Check Sunday school area downstairs.
-- The office, nave, fellowship hall and nursery thermostats are programmed and should not need adjustment. Other thermostats are located in the choir rehearsal room, in the hallway leading to the kitchen, kitchen pantry and downstairs in the high school classroom.
Heartsong:
Ushers usually wear the red T-shirts, available from the office.
Check the website the week prior for any updates.
Ushers need to arrive early, preferable before Sunday school, to double check the room is arranged. Usher supplies and quiet bags are on the wooden cart in the back.
Double check materials:
-- Acolyte supplies and lighter
-- Pick up bulletin inserts from office and arrange on the table
-- Place any sign up cards in the Friendship Registers
-- Clean snack table cover and may need to set up snacks, coffee, juice
-- Fold at least 6 chairs beside snack table
-- You may need to help the band
People usually start arriving early - as soon as Sunday school is out. Check with the band and media for any last minute changes. Update the first pastor for changes to announce.
During the Gathering Song, help the acolyte get ready to light the candles.
After the Gathering Song, make sure the doors to the kitchen are closed. Watch for latecomers at the back door to help keep down noise.
If the band is near the doors, then quietly set up the last row of chairs pulled from behind the snack table. You can do this during the second song. The band will usually need 6-8 chairs during the lessons and sermon. If the band is up front, they will have their own chairs.
Remember to remind the second pastor of any changes. This can be done as the second pastor changes in the hall during the reading of the lessons. Help hang the robes in the closet at the nursery. While in the hall, check on the nursery and close the nursery doors. Any noise in the hall seems to echo directly into the fellowship hall, making it difficult for some to hear.
At the offering time, collect the baskets and move from front to back.
At the next song, quietly fold up the last row of chairs and place them behind the snack table. This clears the floor for traffic. Placing the chairs behind the snack table prevents falls from chairs sliding off the wall to the floor. This happens almost every Sunday, so be prepared for children to bump into any stack of chairs against any of the walls.
At Communion, it is usually best to direct the right side first and assist the worshipers to circle around the left side of the room (this prevents worshipers tripping on all the wires on the right side of the room). Then the left side is directed next.
If the band is up front, then they usually go first. If the band is by the doors, then they go last. One usher directs the worshipers and one usher is usually needed to help the band. You may need to help hold instruments, open/close/store cases or assist with the sound board. Try to familiarize yourself with the equipment before the service starts.
At the beginning of the Sending Song the acolyte should come back to extinguish the candles. The band will tell the worshipers if they need to fold up the chairs.
Collect the friendship register forms and place at the Office Manager box. Record the number in attendance on the form behind the guest sign book in the narthex. Pack all the usher supplies, lighter, re-usable bulletins in the quiet bag box and store on the bottom shelf of the wooden cart. The wooden cart will go in the far left corner or in the store room.
Duties may vary with what's needed in the fellowship hall in the upcoming week. You may need to clean up the snack table and food. You may need to set up tables, carry/store equipment, take the communion supplies to the Sacristy for the altar guild, move the screen, move the altar table, etc. Extra snacks are always appreciated in the nursery.
Medical Emergencies:
In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency during a service, keep these points in mind:
-- Phones are located in the library, in the nursery and in the pantry. Use line 1 or 3 to get an outside line. Dialing "9" is not required.
-- A wheelchair can be found in the room to the left of the nave (as you face the altar).
-- Medical personnel should enter the building through the church office door. This would be away from the nave and also there are no steps between the nave and the church office door. There is a sidewalk from the office around
The building to the ramp at the backdoor.
-- Ushers are encouraged to keep up to date on CPR. The Automatic External Deliberator (AED) and mask are across from Senior Pastor's Study. There will be a very loud alarm when the door is opened. It is supposed to silence once the door is closed. Opening the AED door will not alert the Emergency Service. You will still need to call 911.
-- Ask for help if you need it!