Reader Instructions
Reading the Scriptures during worship services is a very important ministry. Thank you for serving in this vital role.
You will receive a schedule ahead of time. If you are unable to serve on the date you are assigned, please find a substitute from the schedule then notify the church office (891-1700) of the change. If you cannot find a substitute, contact the office for assistance.
The goal of a Reader is to make God’s Word come alive for the listeners. Here are some guidelines to help you do that:
At Home –
The readings will be sent to you a few days before your assigned service. Note that each reading is preceded by an introduction, which you will also read.
Read over the lessonsand prayerfully seek to understand their meaningsso that you can help convey them to the congregation by the tone or inflection of your voice. The introductions will help you understand the meanings.
Practice reading each lesson out loud at least ten times in order to get as familiar with the words as possible, even to the point of committing them to memory.
Consult a Bible encyclopedia or dictionary for help with pronunciation of unfamiliar words.You can alsocheck online at
Practice reading with expressionas if you were reading a bedtime story to a child. Make use of punctuation marks to add to the drama of the readings! Pause at commas, stop at periods, express excitement at exclamation marks, etc.
Reading is more effective if you look at the people to whom you are reading. So stand in front of a mirror as you practice and try to maintain eye contact with your reflection as you read, as if your image in the mirror were the congregation.
At Church –
Arrive at least 10 minutes before the service with your copy of the readings. (If you forget your copy, there should be a copy on the pulpit.
Check the bulletin to see at what point(s) in the service you are reading (sometimes special things can occur before or in between readings!). Assure that the lessons you received match those printed in the bulletin. If not, or if you have any questions about what you are to do, talk to a pastor.
Sit near the front on the pulpit side so that you can easily go to the pulpit when it is time for you to read.Pray before the service that God would speak through you today.
Come to the pulpit when it is time for you to read, usually just after the Prayer of the Day. Adjust the microphone, if needed. Greet the congregation then focus your concentration on the lessons before proceeding to read.
Speak slowly! (Some people will miss God’s words if you run them together too quickly.)
Speak loudly (even though you have a microphone) as if you were talking to the people sitting in the last row!
Pause briefly between readings so that the congregation can make the transition from one reading to the next.
Normally, the last line you read will be: “Please stand for the Gospel.” After saying this, return to your seat.
If you have any questions or need clarification about reading, please call Pastor Pat, 891-1700, ext. 11 or email her at .
Once again, thank you for serving!
Serving
as a
Reader
at
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Revised: August 2011