Usher Functions

Usher Functions

  1. Arrive at the church at least 15 minutes early.
  2. Ascertain that two offering plates are available at each door.
  3. Change hymn numbers on hymnboards. A small ladder is in the usher closet.
  4. Check that visitor cards are in the stands on top of the usher cabinets. Extras are stored in the cabinets.
  5. Check the water in the baptismal font. Carefully rinse the font and remove lime stains and fill about 1/3 full. Light the Christ candle.
  6. Light altar candles early. Lighter and matches are in closet by Music Office. If candles are in the windows, light them as well.
  7. Greet people WARMLY as you distribute bulletins (and communion cards/prayer cards). Serve as a greeter, especially for visitors and new members. Offer a child's bulletin to children. If the blue WOV is needed, instruct worshippers to take With One Voice hymnals from the hymnal carts at each door.
  8. Close doors after announcements are completed.
  9. Actively help latecomers find vacant seats; be aware of empty seats and usher latecomers to those seats. Have them wait at door during prayers, readings, and choir anthems. Pay special attention to visitors or people you may not know by name.
  10. Open door if people need to leave during service.
  11. During the offertory, begin collecting offering at the front rows; complete side section and begin collecting at the front of the center section. Don't forget the choir! If the choir is scheduled to sing during the offering, pass the offering plate during the first hymn or before the service.
  12. Direct communicants to the altar. [Note attachment.]
  13. Take attendance and record on sheet found in usher cupboard. Take this card, along with communion cards and prayer cards, to the pastor's office.
  14. Clean up sanctuary after each service.
  15. One usher needs to watch for unusual circumstances:
      a. A sick person. The First Aid Kit is in the Como usher cupboard. Closest telephones are in the Music Office on the organ end of the sanctuary and on the wall between the two restrooms on the Como end. If you need to call 911, the address is 2323 Como Avenue West, and the phone number is 651.645.0371.
      b. Someone who cannot get to the altar for communion. Alert pastor and servers.
      c. Hymnbooks for the blind and hearing aids (direct them to Drew Johnson for hearing aids). These items are in the Como usher cupboard.
  16. Open the door during the last hymn or after the benediction.

Back to Home page or to Tribe function guides