Lay Ministries

Lay Eucharistic Minister (formerly called Chalice Bearer)

 The Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) is always vested and unless otherwise instructed will enter the Nave directly before the Priest.

 Vestments hang in the Priest’s vesting room.  There are directions on the wall for tying the cincture.

 LEM’s should arrive early enough to vest and be properly prepared for the service.

 8:00 Eucharist

 Entrance is from the lower hall door at the nave.  The acolyte will ring the sacristy bell before entering.  The acolyte enters first, followed by the LEM and then the Priest.  The acolyte will stop in front of the steps to the choir, the LEM will stop, leaving room for the Priest to step behind the LEM to the center.  Once all three are in place, they will reverence the cross by bowing.  Then they will turn and go to their respective places.  The LEM will go to the readers chair in the choir. The LEM will participate in the service as always, responding at the appropriate times, standing and kneeling with the congregation. 

 After the Peace, the Priest and the LEM will move to the altar.  The LEM will take the place next to the acolyte.  The LEM remains standing during ALL times that are customary to kneel.  The only time the LEM would sit is after communion is finished and the Priest is performing the ablutions.

 When it is time to administer communion, the priest will offer the wafer to the acolyte and then the LEM.  He will then offer the wine to the acolyte and then the LEM.  At this time the LEM will take possession of the chalice containing the wine and the purificator.  The LEM will offer the cup to the communicants after they have received the bread from the priest.  (See detailed instructions below.)  

 When the LEM has offered communion to all of the communicants, the chalice and the purificator are passed back to the priest.  The LEM can then be seated until the post communion prayer.  The LEM will stand at that time and remain standing throughout the remainder of the service.

 At the end of the service, the acolyte will lead the way to the front of the altar, standing to one side while the LEM stands to the other side and the priest in the middle.  All three reverence the altar by bowing.  The acolyte will lead the way out behind the organ, the priest will step back to let the LEM pass to follow the acolyte and the priest will turn and go down the center asile.

 10:30 Eucharist

 Entrance is via procession from the front of the church.  The crucifer enters first carrying the cross, followed by the acolyetes, the choir, LEMs and then the Priest.  The organist will ring the sacristy bell before the entrance.  The procession will stop in front of the altar and reverence the cross by bowing before taking their places.  Once the LEMs have bowed, they will move to the right and go to the Priest’s pew to be seated next to the Priest.  (There are two LEMs for 10:30.  One or both could also be readers, if one of the LEMs is reading the lessons, that LEM should sit on the front row of the choir in the seat provided.)  The LEMs will participate in the service as always, responding at the appropriate times, standing and kneeling with the congregation.  The LEM will receive the Gospel Book from the Priest after the reading of the Gospel and hold it until it is time for communion.

 After the Peace, the Priest and the LEMs will move to the altar.  The LEM will place the Gospel book in the book rack on the altar.  One LEM will take the place next to the crucifer, the other LEM will take a place next to the acolytes.  The LEMs remains standing during ALL times that are customary to kneel.  The only time the LEMs would sit is in the beginning when the priest is preparing the altar for communion.

 When it is time to administer communion, the priest will offer the wafer to the acolyte and then the LEMs.  He will then offer the wine to the acolyte and then the LEMs.  At this time the LEMs will take possession of the chalice containing the wine and the purificator.  (See detailed instructions below for administering the cup.) 

 The LEMs will service ½ of the altar rail.  The LEM on the crucifer side should service the communicates to the center and the LEM on the acolyte side will pick up the the middle and service to the end.  However, many couples and/or families like to receive communion together.  In this case, it is thoughtful if the same LEM offers communion to both and/or the entire family instead of splitting it up.

 When the LEMs have offered communion to all of the communicants, the chalice and the purificator are passed back to the priest.  The LEMs remain standing and participate in singing the communion hymns.  The LEMs will remain standing throughout the remainder of the service.

 When the service has ended, the LEMs will follow the choir to recess from the church, stopping in the center aisle to await the dismissal.

 Wednesday Holy Eucharist and Healing

 Entrance is from the hall behind the organ.  The acolyte will ring the sacristy bell before entering.The acolyte enters first, followed by the LEM and then the Priest. The acolyte will stop in front of the altar, the LEM will stop, leaving room for the Priest to step behind the LEM to the center.  Once all three are in place, they will reverence the cross by bowing.  Then they will turn and go to their respective places.

 Administering the Cup

 Hold the purificator in the left hand and the chalice in the right hand assisted by the left.  Keep both hands on the chalice.  The priest will offer the host to the people at the altar starting from the left.  After the first three or four have received the host, the LEM will approach the first communicant with the chalice.  Notice if the communicant is holding the wafer, if so the intention is to intinct.  Hold the chalice down low enough that the communicant can see inside and comfortably reach; say the words “The blood of Christ, the cup of Salvation”.  (It is acceptable to address the communicant by name if desired to make the communion experience even more personal.)  After the communicant has dipped the host into the wine and lifted to his/her lips, move to the next communicant. 

If the communicant has consumed the wafer and is waiting to drink from the cup, tilt the chalice towards the communicant’s lips.  Let the communicant touch the chalice however desired and guide the drink.  Take your time.  Be careful.  Say the words “The blood of Christ, the cup of Salvation”.  When the chalice is moved away from the communicant, use the purificator to wipe the rim of the chalice being careful not to dip it in the wine.  Turn the chalice just an eighth of a turn to the right and approach the next communicant to offer the cup.

 Acolyte/Crucifer Duties

 In the event there is no acolyte present, the LEM will perform the acolyte duties.  These include handing the elements/vessels to the priest, pouring water over the priest’s hands, placing elements/vessels back on the Credance table.  It is helpful to know the name of the elements/vessels and their placement.

1.              Cruet of Water

2.              Cruet of Wine

3.              Extra Chalice with a Purficator on top

4.              Lavabo bowl with a Lavabo towel on top

5.              Ciborium

6.              Elements/vessels are placed on the Credence table

 Note:  There will not be an extra Chalice and Purficator at the 8:00 service or 5:30 Wednesday service.

Other duties include:

 ü     Check before the service to make sure the candles have been lit, if not, light them.  Light the Eucharistic candles first.  (The two candles on the altar) Light the candle on the Epistle side first (right as you face the altar) and then the Gospel side (left as you face the altar.  Light the candelabra starting with the candle closest to the cross (Epistle side first and then Gospel side.)  (During Easter, the Paschal candle is also lit.) 

ü     Passing the alms basins to the ushers

ü     Collect the alms basins from the ushers and placing them on the altar

ü     Closing the altar rail for communion and moving the kneeler in place

ü     Re-opening the altar rail after communion and putting the kneeler back where it belongs

ü     Extinguishing the candles:

1.              Extinguish the Eucharistic candles first (Gospel first and then Epistle) (these are the two candles on the altar)

2.              Extinguish the candelabra beginning from the outside and moving towards the cross (Gospel first and then Epistle).

3.              If there is no acolyte/crucifer, take note where the candle snuffer is when you get to the altar.  It is usually in the corner beside the Credence table or next to the altar on the acolyte side.

 Thank you for your willingness to service Trinity Episcopal Church in this capacity.  You will feel blessed and enriched every time you experience the opportunity to administer the Blood of Christ.