Worship Assistant Volunteers
During our worship services we strive for a perfect marriage of the centuries-old traditions that inspire us and exciting, modern worship that engages all five senses. We believe that the detail and attention paid to all of the elements of our worship services creates an atmosphere that takes us not only physically but also mentally and spiritually to a holy place where we can confess, be forgiven, be fed, refreshed and prepared to do the work God has given us to do in the world around us.
Acolytes
Acolytes serve in our communal worship services in much the same way as the first acolytes in the third century. They are responsible, under supervision, for bringing the light into our services and to provide extra hands, as needed, during the celebration of the Eucharist. Acolytes have also served at weddings and funerals, school schedules allowing.
While it has become traditional in our modern church for children and youth to serve as acolytes, adult acolytes are welcome if interested. Children must have completed the second grade to be trained and to serve.
This is a serious responsibility that requires the participant to be trained, to arrive early on those days he/she is assigned to serve and to be focused and attentive during the entire worship service. This will, for youth and children of course, also require the commitment of the parent(s) to reinforce and support the requirements for this ministry.
Initial training, as well as periodic updates and special instructions, are scheduled and provided by our Verger.
If you have an interest in learning more about Acolytes, Acolytes@sac-okc.org
While it has become traditional in our modern church for children and youth to serve as acolytes, adult acolytes are welcome if interested. Children must have completed the second grade to be trained and to serve.
This is a serious responsibility that requires the participant to be trained, to arrive early on those days he/she is assigned to serve and to be focused and attentive during the entire worship service. This will, for youth and children of course, also require the commitment of the parent(s) to reinforce and support the requirements for this ministry.
Initial training, as well as periodic updates and special instructions, are scheduled and provided by our Verger.
If you have an interest in learning more about Acolytes, Acolytes@sac-okc.org
Altar Guild
|
The Altar Guild is a “behind-the-scenes” ministry that prepares the Sanctuary for worship. This includes setting up and cleaning up the items necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist at the regular worship services and for special services such as weddings and funerals. The Altar Guild also maintains the Vestments for Clergy and worship assistants and periodically cleans the Altar area, Sacristy, and Vesting area.
Altar Guild volunteers are organized into teams made up of four or five members. The teams rotate responsibilities so that each volunteer has an assignment about once per month. No prior experience is necessary—training is provided “on the job” by experienced Altar Guild members. For more information, please contact AltarGuild@sac-okc.org |
|
Flower/Liturgical Environment Guild
Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96
|
The Flower/Liturgical Environment Guild serves God and the church by making our Sanctuary, Narthex, and Commons area beautiful settings for worship. The life and color these volunteers bring into our spaces are continual reminders of the wonders of nature that God has created.
Volunteers in this group work closely with Father Joseph to plan and carry out ways to incorporate items with significant meaning to the particular church season or celebration into our worship experience. Members of this group also order and/or arrange flowers that have been requested by members to remember or honor a loved one or for a special occasion. In addition, they take regular care of the live plants we keep within the building. If you are interested in a small, regular job in this ministry or would want to volunteer once-in-a-while for a big event, your help would be appreciated! No experience is necessary – training is provided on the job by our experienced leaders. For more information, please contact Flowers@sac-okc.org |
Intercessors and Lectors
The Lector’s role is to thoughtfully and meaningfully convey the “Word of the Lord”! The clergy often refer to the scripture during their messages, so it is most important to share the Word in an understandable manner. The same thoughtfulness is delivered by the Intercessors for the Prayers of the People.
Four required practice sessions are scheduled throughout the year for these volunteers. The sessions are generally held in conjunction with the change of church seasons and provide updated information concerning the logistics of the upcoming services.
The training sessions also include an exchange of ideas for enhancing our skills. Extra sessions may be scheduled according to additional special services or updates from the Rector.
Volunteers for Intercessors and Lectors must complete at least two training sessions and then be approved by the ministry leader.
Once approval is obtained, volunteers are placed on the schedule for no more than one time per month at their preferred service.
If you are interested in becoming an Intercessor or Lector, please email Intercessors@sac-okc.org.
Four required practice sessions are scheduled throughout the year for these volunteers. The sessions are generally held in conjunction with the change of church seasons and provide updated information concerning the logistics of the upcoming services.
The training sessions also include an exchange of ideas for enhancing our skills. Extra sessions may be scheduled according to additional special services or updates from the Rector.
Volunteers for Intercessors and Lectors must complete at least two training sessions and then be approved by the ministry leader.
Once approval is obtained, volunteers are placed on the schedule for no more than one time per month at their preferred service.
If you are interested in becoming an Intercessor or Lector, please email Intercessors@sac-okc.org.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
At all celebrations of the Liturgy, it is fitting that the principal celebrant, whether
bishop or priest, be assisted by other priests,
and by deacons and lay persons.
Book of Common Prayer, 1979, page 354
bishop or priest, be assisted by other priests,
and by deacons and lay persons.
Book of Common Prayer, 1979, page 354
Communal worship is not a spectator sport. We are expected and called to participate, to serve, or even to lead in service roles according to the gifts God has given each of us.
The Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) is a role established in the canons of the church to assist clergy at the altar in the distribution of Holy Communion. LEMs learn all roles at the altar including the roles of acolytes (in case no acolytes are present) and duties at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. LEMs are frequently called “chalice bearers” as their most common and central duty is the distribution of wine at Communion.
Initial training, as well as periodic updates and special instructions are scheduled and provided by our Verger. LEMs, according to the canons, must be at least 16 years of age and must be confirmed.
If you have an interest in learning more about being a Lay Eucharistic Minister, please contact Eucharist@sac-okc.org
The Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) is a role established in the canons of the church to assist clergy at the altar in the distribution of Holy Communion. LEMs learn all roles at the altar including the roles of acolytes (in case no acolytes are present) and duties at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. LEMs are frequently called “chalice bearers” as their most common and central duty is the distribution of wine at Communion.
Initial training, as well as periodic updates and special instructions are scheduled and provided by our Verger. LEMs, according to the canons, must be at least 16 years of age and must be confirmed.
If you have an interest in learning more about being a Lay Eucharistic Minister, please contact Eucharist@sac-okc.org
Oblation Bearers
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts.
Psalm 96:8
Psalm 96:8
Currently a role only assigned at our 10:45 a.m. Sunday services, Oblation Bearers bring forward the bread and wine that will be consecrated for Holy Communion.
This is a role where individuals, couples, and entire families are welcome to serve.
The entire role is focused on bringing forward the offerings of bread and wine from, and on behalf of, the people. It is more than a ceremonial action. These offerings represent us returning to the Lord from that which he has given us, just as our collected plate offerings that are brought to the altar by the ushers. And, just as we provide food and drink for the altar, this symbolizes how we should be feeding those who hunger and thirst, physically and spiritually. It is a simple role with a deep meaning.
Initial training is scheduled and provided by our Verger.
If you have an interest in learning more about Oblation Bearers, please contact Oblationers@sac-okc.org
This is a role where individuals, couples, and entire families are welcome to serve.
The entire role is focused on bringing forward the offerings of bread and wine from, and on behalf of, the people. It is more than a ceremonial action. These offerings represent us returning to the Lord from that which he has given us, just as our collected plate offerings that are brought to the altar by the ushers. And, just as we provide food and drink for the altar, this symbolizes how we should be feeding those who hunger and thirst, physically and spiritually. It is a simple role with a deep meaning.
Initial training is scheduled and provided by our Verger.
If you have an interest in learning more about Oblation Bearers, please contact Oblationers@sac-okc.org
Praise Chorus
St. Augustine’s is blessed by having a small ensemble of staff musicians. Their efforts are enhanced and magnified by the addition of volunteer singers and musicians.
The Praise Chorus is structured in a way that allows those with musical gifts to share their talents as a special ministry. The true magic and spiritual awakening offered by our Praise Chorus during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service comes not from “performance” but through their full participation in the service.
Maintaining a standard of quality in our worship music is foremost in this ministry. Opportunities for service vary according to the church calendar, so check with the church office or at the email listed below for upcoming sessions.
During the seasons in which the Praise Chorus participates, rehearsal takes place on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Participants may arrive at 6:30 to participate in the Word on Wednesdays (WOW) meal immediately before rehearsal. Musicians must participate in the Wednesday rehearsal to be included in the ensemble the following Sunday morning.
For more information about the Praise Chorus, please contact Music@sac-okc.org
The Praise Chorus is structured in a way that allows those with musical gifts to share their talents as a special ministry. The true magic and spiritual awakening offered by our Praise Chorus during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service comes not from “performance” but through their full participation in the service.
Maintaining a standard of quality in our worship music is foremost in this ministry. Opportunities for service vary according to the church calendar, so check with the church office or at the email listed below for upcoming sessions.
During the seasons in which the Praise Chorus participates, rehearsal takes place on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Participants may arrive at 6:30 to participate in the Word on Wednesdays (WOW) meal immediately before rehearsal. Musicians must participate in the Wednesday rehearsal to be included in the ensemble the following Sunday morning.
For more information about the Praise Chorus, please contact Music@sac-okc.org
Video / Sound Team
We live stream the 10:45 am Sunday services to YouTube, and occasionally produce other videos for website or other platforms. We are always in need of detail-oriented volunteers willing to help with live streaming the 10:45 a.m. Sunday services. You will learn from our own professional videographers/news reporters Marc and Paige Dillard. Familiarity with YouTube and Apple devices is a plus, but not necessary. The primary requirement is dependability and willingness to learn the equipment. The commitment is two three to four Sundays for training and then one Sunday per month for about two hours (including set up and take down of the equipment.)
For more information about this ministry, or to volunteer, please email video@sac-okc.org.
For more information about this ministry, or to volunteer, please email video@sac-okc.org.