A Customary for Celebration

of the

Liturgy

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Port Jervis, New York

This Customary is written:

            Because God is worthy of our highest praise.

To equip the ministers of the Eucharist in offering their gifts and talents in worship.

            To encourage and equip our community to be welcoming and inclusive as we        proclaim the Good New of God in Jesus Christ.

Prior to the liturgy: (the celebrant will)

  Alert the Altar Guild to changes in worship:

                        baptisms

                        feast days

                        other liturgies that impact the number and/or roles of service participants

            Notify ushers of any changes

Prior to start of liturgy:

          Acolyte will light candles

          Sacristy  prayer

Entrance Rite

            Ringing the Bell

            Celebrant’s greeting the congregation

            Organ Prelude 

Prayer

            Confession and Absolution take place at the baptismal font

The order for Procession

Thurifer (feast days)

Torch Crucifer Torch

Choir

Book bearer

Assisting Ministers

Celebrant

The choir, assisting ministers and celebrant reverence the cross before proceeding to their places.  The book bearer stands the lectionary on the Altar.  On feast days, the celebrant will cense the altar, receiving the thurible from the thurifer.

Salutation

Prayer of the Day

Liturgy of the Word:

            The lector pauses to reverence the altar then proceeds to the lectern.  The reading is announced: “A reading from….” The lector gives full attention to the reading checking difficult words for correct pronunciation prior to the beginning of the liturgy; not attempting to make eye contact with the congregation. When the reading is concluded, the lector says, “The Word of the Lord” or:  “Word of God, Word of life”. The lector may sit in the front pew during the chanting of the psalm.

Psalm

            Will be lead by the choir

Gospel Verse

            As the Gospel acclamation is sung, the Gospel procession (Crucifer, book bearer Celebrant) forms and proceeds to the place of reading. The crucifer turns facing the book bearer and celebrant.  On feast days, torches and incense will accompany the procession.  At the conclusion of the reading, the Crucifer leads the procession back to the chancel.  The book bearer places the Bible (standing) on the High altar.

Sermon

Hymn of the Day

Creed

Prayers

An assisting member reads the prayers, taking care to pronounce name correctly. Assisting minister will give the Congregation time to add their petitions.

The Peace

Announcements

            Community announcements, offering the hospitality of the congregation and recognition of significant events in the life of the community

Offertory

            At the beginning of the anthem, the Acolyte will give the offering plates

to the ushers. While the money offerings are being collected, the celebrant prepares the table. The lavabo shall be presented to the celebrant by the acolyte and then to other clergy and assisting ministers. As the offertory is sung, the offertory procession brings the gifts forward.  The ushers hand the plates to the acolyte, who lifts the plates in a gesture of presentation, and then places them on the Table. The Bread and wine, brought up by members of the congregation, are placed on the Table.    The ushers and offertory presenters return to their seats.

Offering Prayer

Is started by an assisting minister at the altar, with hands raised in the           posture of prayer.

Preface

Eucharistic Prayer

Sanctus

The Fraction

Communion

Ablutions

After the people have received, the assisting ministers will place the chalice(s) on the fair linen. The Celebrant shall then perform the ablutions, assisted by the acolyte crucifer, and other assisting ministers. The celebrant will hand the vessels to the assisting ministers for placement on the credence table.

**If Communion is to be taken to the sick, the Prayer shall precede the prayer of thanksgiving post communion blessing.

Post Communion Canticle

Post Communion Prayer

Is started by assisting minister, arms upraised, at the altar.

Sending

Blessing

Sending Song

 The procession forms Crucifer, torches, assisting minister, book bearer, celebrant, and at the celebrant’s signal, process to the narthex. The celebrant may reverence or genuflect during the processional

Dismissal

The assisting minister shall announce the dismissal.

 Postlude

 The choir may remain to give attention to the postlude.