Worship FAQ

Worship Q&A
(excerpts from the DoorPost,
courtesy of the Stewardship Committee)

What is the Altar Guild?

Why are the elements of the Eucharist covered before and after communion?

Where does the undesignated offering money go?

What exactly do I do when I am asked to assist with Communion?

What are the red votive candle stands on either side of the Sanctuary used for?

What is the Altar Guild, what do they do, and how can I become a member?

The Altar Guild is a group of women who are responsible for preparing the Sanctuary for Services. They clean and press the Altar linens; they polish the brassware adorning the chancel (candlesticks, followers (around the candles), vases, candle snuffers) and the collection plates; and they are responsible for caring for and changing the paraments (colored hangings) for each liturgical season.

They prepare the bread and wine for communion by filling the glasses and preparing the bread a well as cleaning and polishing the utensils. They prepare the font and water for baptism and make a baptismal tower for each baby baptized. They also check the pews for pencils and arrange the hymnals.

The Altar Guild meets once a month except for the summer months. If you are interested in joining them, come to a meeting. Dates are times are posted in the bulletin and the DoorPost calendar. Or you may contact the church office.

Why are the elements of the Eucharist covered before and after communion?

The cover is a linen cloth, carefully laundered and cared for by the Altar Guild and is called a veil. A veil has many purposes in life and in death. We think of the bridal veil covering the bride's face. In Islamic society, many women veil their faces in public as a sign of their orthodox faith and morality. In death, the wrapping that some societies use to prepare the body for death is called a veil. Each of these veils has religion, tradition and solemn respect as part of their use.

In ancient Israel, there was a veil that separated the main part of the sanctuary from what we now might call the altar. Behind the veil, were the Tablets of the Commandments along with other items of significance to the faith of the people. They preached God was there ....veiled from sight....so Holy that common viewing was restricted.

As Christians (and Lutherans), we believe that the bread and wine at Holy Communion are the real presence of God. As part of this belief, we treat the elements with solemn respect and cover (veil) them to separate them from common food.

Out of ancient tradition, we unveil just before their use in the sacrament and recover them when distribution is complete.

It is said of Holy Communion that "each time we partake of the bread and wine, we proclaim Christ's body and blood and His death" until He comes again. At Christ's death, a veil was placed upon Him in the tomb. At the Easter morn, that veil was folded neatly where He had been put. Spiritually, the veil is both a reminder of Christ's death on our behalf and a symbol of the resurrection.

The next time we uncover and gold or unfold the linen veil upon the elements of the Eucharist think about its meaning.

The church receives offerings designated to the Building Fund and/or the General Fund in family envelopes and through Simply Giving. Where does the money go which is not designated?

When money is put in the offering plate without any envelope of designation, it is considered a "loose plate" offering. On any Sunday, unless otherwise stipulated, the loose offering goes into the General Fund. On special occasions such as Lent, Advent, Christmas, Easter, etc. the loose offering goes into Benevolent support which includes World Hunger, Lutheran World Relief, etc.

What do I do when I am asked to help with Communion?

If you are asked to assist with the distribution of communion, proceed to the front of the church, after the ushers have passed your pew during the collection of the offering.

Please stand behind the liturgist (pastor) until it is time for the distribution. You will receive the distribution first.

If you are distributing the bread, say: "The body of Christ given for you." If you are distributing the wine, say: "The blood of Christ shed for you." Once the distribution is complete for the entire congregation, you may return to your seat.

What are the red votive candle stands on either side of the Sanctuary used for?

A number of years ago, we began to have Remembrance Services and on St. Luke, the Physician Day, healing services. At that time worshippers were given the opportunity to light a candle to remember loved ones who had died or to light a prayer candle to remember their prayers for healing.

Candles used on the high altar during each worship service remind us of many things. We celebrate with their burning the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The large Christ Candle functions especially to remind us that Jesus is in our midst; the altar candles remind us of the holiness of God. They are seven in number on each side. Seven is a number from the Revelation of St. John to recall God's completeness - that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Votive candles, lighted by the person of faith, remind us that we can come near to God and ask to bear our burdens, hear our prayers, help us and our loved ones in times of trouble and sometimes they can be lighted as a sign of thanksgiving to God for blessings received.

You are welcome to light a votive candle as a sign of your prayers to God. Also when you see votive candles burning, you might say your own prayer on behalf of the unknown person who prayer there before you.