Lay leader Letter for Worship 11:00

Contact Person for 11:00 Lay Leaders:  Tom Green

Dear [First name]:

Thank you for agreeing to be Lay Leader in our 11:00 worship service this Sunday  [Sunday date].  The following are some helpful instructions.

Worship bulletins are usually completed by 3:00 p.m. each Friday.  Your bulletin will be marked with your name and placed on the "Pick-up/drop-off" table by the water fountain.

Your responsibilities may include:

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE

The musician for the morning writes the introduction and will give it to you on Sunday morning. See whomever is playing (usually as soon as you arrive, no later than 10:45.  Please note that the introduction comes right before 11:00 and just before the Choral Call to Worship. EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP AND INTRODUCTIONS

Immediately following the opening hymn (be standing at lectern during last few notes of first hymn):  a. Immediately after the music stops, say, "The peace of Christ be with you!"  The people will respond, "And also with you."  b. Before everyone is seated, briefly ask the congregation to greet each other, introducing themselves to those they do not know around them.  c. After they are seated, be sure to ask all worshipers to sign the Expression of Friendship forms and pass them back to the center isle pew seats, noting the names of those seated in the same pew.  d. Ask for introduction of guests or those worshiping for the first time.  (Try not to use the term "visitor" for this implies non-permanence.) Announce that: "We are very glad to see you and please have an apple sticker and apple so that others can greet you following worship. There is a Fellowship Coffee in the Fireside Room following this service; we hope you will join us."  e. Please end your greeting positively, with gratitude for all who are worshiping.

SCRIPTURE

You usually will do the welcome and read one Scripture text. Please get the portable hand-held microphone from Mark or find it on the Communion table and read from the bible on the bible stand.

THE ANTHEM

You may be asked to introduce the anthem, also.  If so, the days musician will furnish the appropriate materials for you, included with the bulletin you pick up before Sunday or one can be given to you Sunday morning.  You need not introduce any other hymns.

INVITATION TO SHARE GIFTS AND DEDICATORY PRAYER

Please either write or select from the enclosed resources, an invitation to share our gifts.  Please do not wait for the ushers to come forward before giving your invitation to share, also, there is no need to ask ushers to come forward.  After the offertory and doxology, you will be responsible for a dedicatory prayer to be offered from the lectern.

GENERAL MATERIAL

In preparing to lead worship, it is encouraged that language be worshipful, in keeping with the traditions of our denominations, and gender-inclusive.  All spoken material must be prepared in advance and rehearsed prior to the service.  Feel free to use material from the enclosed resources list.  If you have not previously used the microphone system, we suggest that you contact the office before the worship hour so as to become familiar with it.  Our P.A. system is very sensitive and powerful and you need not adjust the microphone.  However, you are advised to speak clearly and authoritatively.

SUNDAY MORNING

Please arrive at the church no later than 10:45.  Check out the lectern area to be sure all is in order.  Check in with the morning musician.  Ask for "Introduction to Service" if you don't already have it.   Do not wait for the pastors to take their places on the Chancel.  Go directly to your seat about 10:55 to be in place to give the introduction at 11:00.   Be seated on the lectern side.  (Lay Leaders from the choir may return to the choir at an appropriate break in the service.)   At the end of the service, recess with the pastor.

I appreciate your assistance in worship.  Please feel free to call if you have any questions prior to Sunday.  Thanks for serving!

HELPS FOR LAY LEADERS INVITATION TO SHARE OUR GIFTS   Through Christ, let us continually praise God and share what we have, for such gifts are pleasing to God.   Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and support for the work of Christ's church.   Let everyone give, not grudgingly or of necessity, but from the fullness of our gratitude to God.   Let us give, as each is able, according to the blessings God has given each of us.   With gladness, let us present the offerings of our life and labor to God.   The earth and all it contains belong to God, the world and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)   Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves to not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)   Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8b)   Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:  if service,  in our serving; whoever contributes, in liberality; whoever does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)   Do as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)   Do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrew 13:16)   Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless God's holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God's benefits.   Remember the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35b)   What shall I render unto the Lord for all God's benefits toward me?  I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all God's people. (Psalm 116:12,14)   Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay away in store as God has prospered you.  Other Scripture verses that may be used to introduce the offering:    Deuteronomy 15:11b;  Psalm 96:8;    1 John 3:17, 18;  1 Corinthians 4:2;    I Corinthians 9:10, 11;  Matthew 5:23, 24;    Romans 12:1    PRAYERS OF DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING (Samples)   O God, giver of all good, who continually pours your benefits upon us, age after age, the living wait upon you and find that of your faithfulness there is no end and that your care is unfailing.  We praise you that the mystery of our life is a mystery of infinite goodness.  We praise you for the order and constancy of nature; for the beauty and bounty of the earth; for day and night, summer and winter, seed time and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness and use which every season brings.  We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life, for our homes, for our friends and for all the love and sympathy and goodwill of all people.  Amen.   O God, we are made glad by the Good News of your love for us and for all.  We thank you for creating us and giving us all  that is necessary for life.   We thank you for your action in Christ by which our lives are measured, found wanting and renewed.  Help us to remember your gifts that we may praise you with lives of joy and service; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Bless these tithes and offerings, O God, returned to you.  Multiply and use them to bring the word and the touch of Jesus to this place and throughout the world, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Holy One, blessed are you, who entrust us to care and use the richness of creation.  Through our tithes and offerings, we return to you a portion of that which you have given us.  May they be a means of serving you in the mission to which you have called us; through Jesus Christ. Amen.   God, we offer you thanks and praise for all the surprising graces which come to us, for those that sustain our lives and those that change them:     for food, familiar diets, and startling new aromas and tastes;     for homes, places of steady surroundings, and settings for redemptive love;     for friendships, old friends who are willingly open in their affection and their correction;      and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and         others;     for tasks to perform, routine actions which we do well and which give order to our         days;     and tasks at which we have failed which restore a needed humility to us, for Jesus         Christ;     and for all Christ has done and will do for us in our life as a congregation of Christ's          people;     In Christ's name we pray.  Amen.   We thank you, O God, for you are gracious.  You have loved us from the beginning of time, and you have remembered us when we were in trouble. We thank you, O God, for you came to us in Jesus Christ, who has redeemed the world and saved us from our sins.  We thank you, O God, for you send us your Holy Spirit, to comfort us and to lead us into all truth.  Your mercy endures forever.  Amen.   O God, creator of this pleasant world and giver of all good things, we thank you for our home on earth and for the joy of living.  We praise you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to set thi/gs right, who died rejected on the cross and rose triumphant from the dead.  Because he lives, we love to praise you, our God forever.  O God, we called us from death to life, we give ourselves to you; and with the church through all ages we thank you for your saving love in Jesus Christ. Amen.   Almighty and merciful God, from whom comes all good, and every perfect gift, we praise you for your mercies, for your goodness that has created us, your grace that has sustained us, your discipline that has corrected us, your patience that has borne with us, and your love that has redeemed us.  Help us to love you, and to be thankful for all your gifts by serving you and delighting to do your will, through Jesus Christ. Amen.   God of all mercies, we give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.  We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ; for  the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.  And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages.  Amen.   Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess, grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Accept, O God, these offerings which your people make unto you, and grant that the cause to which they are devoted may prosper under your guidance to the glory of your name.  Amen.   O God, mercifully regard our gifts, our prayers and our praise; and give us grace always to acknowledge that we are not our own, but yours, who has purchased us unto yourself by the precious blood of your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.   God, we present these offerings that they may be used to extend your liberating reign.  With them, we offer our varied ministries in the days ahead that each of us may be part of your answer to the cries of the world.  Amen.   O God, the giver of every good and perfect gift, give us skill and imagination to use the gifts which we now place on your holy table.  May this money be used by dedicated hands to further your kingdom, to create fellowship, and to bring the healing power of the gospel into the lives of all; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   O God, the fountain of all good; we bring to you our gifts, according as you have prospered us.  Enable us, with our earthly things, to give you the love of our hearts and the service of our lives.  Let your favor, which is life, and your loving- kindness, which is better than life, be upon us now /nd always; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   O Lord, most bountiful, all things come of you, and of your own do we give you.  Now, therefore, our God, accept us your servants, and these our offerings which we bring in devotion to your most holy name; and give us grace evermore to serve you with gladness of heart.  Amen.   O God, the giver of all good; we give you thanks and praise for the bounty of your providence and the riches of your grace; and we dedicate to you in the love and fellowship of your Son our Savior; in token whereof we present to  you this our offering asking you graciously to accept and bless it; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Behold, O God, your children here presenting before you their gifts. Send them help from the sanctuary; remember all their offerings, accept their sacrifice, and grant them their heart's desire; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Yours, O God, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the realm of love.  Amen.   Accept these offerings now placed on your table, O God, the giver of every good and perfect gift.  Grant that they may be symbols of our love and of ourselves now offered more fully to you.  Use these gifts and us, we pray, to the end that your realm may come and your will be done on earth, even as it is done in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.   All good gifts around us come from you, O God.  You have given us life and new life in Christ.  As you have given us gifts, so we offer our gifts that we may be gifts to one another, even as Jesus so taught and lived.  Amen.   O God, most merciful and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received, accept, we pray, this offering of your people.  Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given; and so follow it with your blessing that is may promote peace and goodwill among all people and advance the realm of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. God bless and thanks for your shared ministry. HELPS FOR LAY LEADERS INVITATION TO SHARE OUR GIFTS   Through Christ, let us continually praise God and share what we have, for such gifts are pleasing to God.   Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and support for the work of Christ's church.   Let everyone give, not grudgingly or of necessity, but from the fullness of our gratitude to God.   Let us give, as each is able, according to the blessings God has given each of us.   With gladness, let us present the offerings of our life and labor to God.   The earth and all it contains belong to God, the world and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)   Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in h/aven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves to not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)   Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8b)   Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:  if service,  in our serving; whoever contributes, in liberality; whoever does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)   Do as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)   Do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrew 13:16)   Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless God's holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God's benefits.   Remember the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35b)   What shall I render unto the Lord for all God's benefits toward me?  I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all God's people. (Psalm 116:12,14)   Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay away in store as God has prospered you.  Other Scripture verses that may be used to introduce the offering:    Deuteronomy 15:11b;  Psalm 96:8;    1 John 3:17, 18;  1 Corinthians 4:2;    I Corinthians 9:10, 11;  Matthew 5:23, 24;    Romans 12:1

Dear [First Name]:

Thank you for agreeing to be Lay Leader in our 8:15 worship service this [Sunday date].  The following are some helpful instructions.

Worship bulletins are usually completed by 3:00 p.m. each Friday.  Your bulletin will be marked with your name and placed on the "Pick-up/drop-off" table by the vending machine in the hallway.

Your responsibilities may include:

EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP AND INTRODUCTIONS

Immediately following the opening hymn (be standing up front during last few notes of first hymn):  a. Immediately after the music stops, say, "The peace of Christ be with you!"  The people will respond, "And also with you."  b. Before everyone is seated, briefly ask the congregation to greet each other, introducing themselves to those they do not know/around them.  c. After they are seated, be sure to ask all worshipers to sign the Expression of Friendship forms, noting the names of those seated with you.  d. Ask for introduction of guests or those worshiping for the first time.  (Try not to use the term "visitor" for this implies non-permanence.)  Announce that: "We are very glad to see you and please have an apple sticker and apple so that others can greet you following worship.  e. Please end your greeting positively, with gratitude for all who are worshiping. SCRIPTURE  You usually will read one Scripture text. INVITATION TO SHARE GIFTS   Please either write or select from the resources below an invitation to share our gifts.  After your invitation, give offering plates to the people. GENERAL MATERIAL   In preparing to lead worship, it is encouraged that language be worshipful, in keeping with the traditions of our denominations, and gender-inclusive.  All spoken material must be prepared in advance and rehearsed prior to the service.  Feel free to use material from the enclosed resources list. SUNDAY MORNING     Please arrive at the church no later then 8:05.  Check out the worship area to be  sure all is in order.  Check with the Pastor too. I appreciate your assistance in worship.  Please feel free to call if you have any questions prior to Sunday.  I can be reached at the church (943-1210) or at home.  My number is 956-3354. Thanks for serving! Mark

HELPS FOR LAY LEADERS INVITATION TO SHARE OUR GIFTS   Through Christ, let us continually praise God and share what we have, for such gifts are pleasing to God.   Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and support for the work of Christ's church.   Let everyone give, not grudgingly or of necessity, but from the fullness of our gratitude to God.   Let us give, as each is able, according to the blessings God has given each of us.   With gladness, let us present the offerings of our life and labor to God.   The earth and all it contains belong to God, the world and those who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)   Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves to not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)   Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8b)   Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them:  if service,  in our serving; whoever contributes, in liberality; whoever does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)   Do as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)   Do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrew 13:16)   Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless God's holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God's benefits.   Remember the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35b)   What shall I render unto the Lord for all God's benefits toward me?  I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all God's people. (Psalm 116:12,14)   Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay away in store as God has prospered you.  Other Scripture verses that may be used to introduce the offering:    Deuteronomy 15:11b;  Psalm 96:8;    1 John 3:17, 18;  1 Corinthians 4:2;    I Corinthians 9:10, 11;  Matthew 5:23, 24; Romans 12:1 PRAYERS OF DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING (Samples)   O God, giver of all good, who continually pours your benefits upon us, age after age, the living wait upon you and find that of your faithfulness there is no end and that your care is unfailing.  We praise you that the mystery of our life is a mystery of infinite goodness.  We praise you for the order and constancy of nature; for the beauty and bounty of the earth; for day and night, summer and winter, seed time and harvest; for the varied gifts of loveliness and use which every season brings.  We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life, for our homes, for our friends and for all the love and sympathy and goodwill of all people.  Amen.   O God, we are made glad by the Good News of your love for us and for all.  We thank you for creating us and giving us all  that is necessary for life.   We thank you for your action in Christ by which our lives are measured, found wanting and renewed.  Help us to remember your gifts that we may praise you with lives of joy and service; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Bless these tithes and offerings, O God, returned to you.  Multiply and use them to bring the word and the touch of Jesus to this place and throughout the world, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Holy One, blessed are you, who entrust us to care and use the richness of creation.  Through our tithes and offerings, we return to you a portion of that which you have given us.  May they be a means of serving you in the mission to which you have called us; through Jesus Christ. Amen.   God, we offer you thanks and praise for all the surprising graces which come to us, for those that sustain our lives and those that change them:     for food, familiar diets, and startling new aromas and tastes;     for homes, places of steady surroundings, and settings for redemptive love;     for friendships, old friends who are willi/gly open in their affection and their correction;      and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and         others;     for tasks to perform, routine actions which we do well and which give order to our         days;     and tasks at which we have failed which restore a needed humility to us, for Jesus         Christ;     and for all Christ has done and will do for us in our life as a congregation of Christ's          people;     In Christ's name we pray.  Amen.   We thank you, O God, for you are gracious.  You have loved us from the beginning of time, and you have remembered us when we were in trouble. We thank you, O God, for you came to us in Jesus Christ, who has redeemed the world and saved us from our sins.  We thank you, O God, for you send us your Holy Spirit, to comfort us and to lead us into all truth.  Your mercy endures forever.  Amen.   O God, creator of this pleasant world and giver of all good things, we thank you for our home on earth and for the joy of living.  We praise you for your love in Jesus Christ, who came to set things right, who died rejected on the cross and rose triumphant from the dead.  Because he lives, we love to praise you, our God forever.  O God, we called us from death to life, we give ourselves to you; and with the church through all ages we thank you for your saving love in Jesus Christ. Amen.   Almighty and merciful God, from whom comes all good, and every perfect gift, we praise you for your mercies, for your goodness that has created us, your grace that has sustained us, your discipline that has corrected us, your patience that has borne with us, and your love that has redeemed us.  Help us to love you, and to be thankful for all your gifts by serving you and delighting to do your will, through Jesus Christ. Amen.   God of all mercies, we give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.  We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ; for  the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.  And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages.  Amen.   Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess, grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Accept, O God, these offerings which your /eople make unto you, and grant that the cause to which they are devoted may prosper under your guidance to the glory of your name.  Amen.   O God, mercifully regard our gifts, our prayers and our praise; and give us grace always to acknowledge that we are not our own, but yours, who has purchased us unto yourself by the precious blood of your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.   God, we present these offerings that they may be used to extend your liberating reign.  With them, we offer our varied ministries in the days ahead that each of us may be part of your answer to the cries of the world.  Amen.   O God, the giver of every good and perfect gift, give us skill and imagination to use the gifts which we now place on your holy table.  May this money be used by dedicated hands to further your kingdom, to create fellowship, and to bring the healing power of the gospel into the lives of all; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   O God, the fountain of all good; we bring to you our gifts, according as you have prospered us.  Enable us, with our earthly things, to give you the love of our hearts and the service of our lives.  Let your favor, which is life, and your loving- kindness, which is better than life, be upon us now and always; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   O Lord, most bountiful, all things come of you, and of your own do we give you.  Now, therefore, our God, accept us your servants, and these our offerings which we bring in devotion to your most holy name; and give us grace evermore to serve you with gladness of heart.  Amen.   O God, the giver of all good; we give you thanks and praise for the bounty of your providence and the riches of your grace; and we dedicate to you in the love and fellowship of your Son our Savior; in token whereof we present to  you this our offering asking you graciously to accept and bless it; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Behold, O God, your children here presenting before you their gifts. Send them help from the sanctuary; remember all their offerings, accept their sacrifice, and grant them their heart's desire; through Jesus Christ.  Amen.   Yours, O God, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the realm of love.  Amen.   Accept these offerings now placed on your table, O God, the giver of every good and perfect gift.  Grant that they may be symbols of our love and of ourselves now offered more fully to you.  Use these gifts and us, we pray, to the end that your realm may come and your will be done on earth, even as it is done in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.   All good gifts around us come from you, O God.  You have given us life and new life in Christ.  As you have given us gifts, so we offer our gifts that we may be gifts to one another, even as Jesus so taught and lived.  Amen.   O God, most merci/ul and gracious, of whose bounty we have all received, accept, we pray, this offering of your people.  Remember in your love those who have brought it and those for whom it is given; and so follow it with your blessing that is may promote peace and goodwill among all people and advance the realm of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.