The Divine Liturgy and other sacred services in our Orthodox Christian parish are the heart of our worship and spiritual life. Participating in these services through various ministries allows us to serve God and one another, deepening our faith while contributing to the beauty and sanctity of our worship.
Opportunities to serve
Here are some of the opportunities for liturgical service:
- Greeters: Greeters extend Christ’s love to all who enter the church. They welcome parishioners and visitors, distribute service bulletins, provide assistance with service books or seating, and help ensure a warm and hospitable atmosphere for everyone attending the services. Mary Morsovillo coordinates the Greeters’ schedule.
- Altar Servers: Boys and men have the unique privilege of assisting the clergy in the altar, ensuring the sacred actions of our worship are carried out with reverence and order. Altar servers support the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other services by attending to candles, processions, and other duties. Altar servers need to get Father’s blessing before serving.
- Handmaidens: Girls have the special role of assisting with the preparation and setting up of the antidoron (blessed bread) and zapivka (post-Communion wine mixed with water) during the Divine Liturgy. This ministry encourages attentiveness and devotion in a meaningful service to the church community. Handmaidens need to get Father’s blessing before serving.
- Choir Members: The choir leads the faithful in singing praises to God, enriching the worship experience through sacred hymnody. Whether you are an experienced singer or simply have a passion and talent for music, your voice can be an offering to glorify God. Learn more about the choir by clicking here.
- Readers: Readers (or “Chanters”) are entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God and leading prayers during services. This ministry requires a strong, clear voice and a deep love for the Scriptures and liturgical texts. Training and blessings are provided to those who feel called to this role. Readers need to get Father’s blessing before serving. Mary Ann Bertram coordinates the Readers’ schedule.
- Prosphora Bakers: Prosphora, the bread used in the Divine Liturgy, is a tangible offering to Christ. Baking this holy bread is a sacred ministry rooted in prayer and devotion. Bakers will learn the traditional recipes and methods, imbuing this offering with reverence and care. Prosphora must be delivered for Liturgy in a timely manner. Training is needed to properly and prayerfully bake the prosphora.
- Church Decorators: Enhancing the temple’s beauty and adorning icons for feast days, seasons, and celebrations is a meaningful way to serve. Decorating with flowers, candles, and other elements fosters an environment of spiritual joy and reverence for our communal worship.
- Offering Ushers: Offering Ushers play a vital role in facilitating the collection of offerings during the Divine Liturgy and other services. With care and reverence, they assist in gathering the gifts presented by the faithful, ensuring this act of worship is carried out smoothly and respectfully. As representatives of the parish, Offering Ushers approach their role with humility, recognizing that this ministry is a sacred responsibility. As with other ministry roles, those who feel called to serve in this capacity must first seek Father’s blessing.
- Candle Care: The Candle Care ministry serves by tending to the prayer candles, ensuring that the light offered in prayer continues to shine reverently in our worship space. Members of this ministry help extinguish candles after services, maintain the cleanliness of the sand trays by removing spent candle nubs and dripped wax, and refresh the seven-day candles when needed. They also care for the surrounding area, cleaning fallen sand from counters and floors to preserve the beauty and order of the church. This quiet yet essential service fosters an atmosphere of peace and prayerfulness, reflecting the devotion of those who bring their light before the Lord. Those who wish to serve in this ministry should seek Father’s blessing as a sign of their readiness to undertake this sacred responsibility.
Serving in the liturgical life of the Church is both a sacred privilege and a responsibility. To ensure that our service reflects the reverence and order required in worship, it is essential to seek Father’s blessing before taking on any ministry role. This blessing affirms our readiness to serve and aligns our efforts with the spiritual life of the parish. Together, with humility and gratitude, we offer our service to God, glorifying Him in all that we do.
Join us in worship
Each of these ministries is a vital part of our liturgical life and an opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship.
Together, let us offer our time, talents, and treasures to glorify God and strengthen the body of Christ. Each role in the liturgical life of the Church, whether seen or unseen, is an opportunity to deepen our connection to Christ and to one another. By offering our service, we participate in the life of the Church in a profound and meaningful way. May our service be a reflection of our love for God and a witness to His glory, strengthening the bond of faith within our parish family.