HEAD USHER'S CHECKLIST, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WELLSBORO

HEAD USHER'S CHECKLIST, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WELLSBORO

Head Usher to arrive by 10:30; Greeters and other Ushers to arrive by 10:40.

BEFORE SERVICE, review bulletin/service with minister for anything unusual.

Prepare Narthex:

Turn light on in Memorial Cabinet in Narthex. Light switch is on right of cabinet.
Set Narthex phone ringer to OFF. During service, watch for flashing light at rear of sanctuary indicating incoming telephone call. After worship service, return to ring status.

Prepare Sanctuary:

Turn on lights; switch is at back of sanctuary, to the left of the center window.
Unlock door at wheelchair ramp, left of pulpit. No key is required; works with bolt.
Fill water glass in pulpit from sink in Sacristy. When there are baptisms, fill Baptismal Font with 3-5" of water.
Light Christ candle upon arrival. (Matches at rear of sanctuary or near candles.) Check other candles and wicks; and if oil is needed, get help with replenishing.
Check acolyte readiness from name in bulletin. (If no acolyte, head usher shall light.)

Prepare the sound system or have someone on hand to manage the sound system per the sheet, "Managing The Sound System". Key to unlock system door is #14.

Prepare for Collection:

Make sure offering plates are at back of sanctuary; look under rear seat, if necessary.
Assign collection aisles to Ushers and Greeters; with most experienced in side aisles.

Organize handouts for the arrival of the Congregation:

Delegate Greeters to organize worship materials in the rear of sanctuary: Service Bulletins, Children's Bulletins and "Fun Boxes"; Large Print Bulletins and Hymnals.
Assign Greeters at each door for welcome and farewells.

Prepare lounge for service; ask ushers for assistance:

At 10:45 (or after Sunday School), turn chairs to face sanctuary.
LOWER windows to open them. Trying to raise them may cause them to jam.

See that bulletins and hymnals are available in lounge.

Receive the Congregation:

As Greeters introduce worshipers to Ushers, repeat the name; shake hands if offered.

Usher escorts worshiper to pew, regulars to their regular places; guests to places not usually taken. Usher hands them a service bulletin as they enter the pew.

Watch for persons with children; encourage them "fun boxes" to their seats.

Watch for persons coming in ramp door; help as needed and bring them service bulletins.

Be alert for visitors:

Have them sign the guest book.

Offer them a visitor package.

Encourage them to attend the post-service fellowship.

Pre-Service Rituals:

Just before 11 a.m., take red announcement book to pastor.

Keep last pew closed until service begins, holding space for latecomers.

Choose a child to ring bell following carillon and again after the Postlude. (Bell rope is in vestry.) Before church, ring bell 11 times. After church, 12 times. (Adjust rings for summer hours.) List bell ringer's name in service book, along with attendance numbers.

DURING SERVICE, be watchful for latecomers and alert for security or the unusual.

Watch for late-comers: Hold them quietly at back during prayer or scripture reading. Seat them in back row or walk forward during hymns while congregation is standing.

Take attendance: Count entire congregation, including children. Don't forget the choir and lounge. Record number by date in black book on shelf at back.

Take up Collection:

Wait for offertory to begin, then six Ushers and Greeters walk down front in unison. Better to have experienced Ushers in side aisles, with two Ushers in center aisle.

On Sundays other than Communion Sunday: bring down collection during Doxology OR during first song after the prayer that follows offertory music, while congregation is standing. Set plates on Credenza Mantel (under rose window), outside the candles. If mantel is occupied (with seasonal decorations, etc.), set plates on seats beside the credenza.

On Communion Sunday, first two Servers bring down the collection plates (instead of theUshers), handing them to minister who places them on the Credenza Mantel.

Take responsibility for security; periodically walk through rest of building.

Keep watch for flashing light at rear of sanctuary indicating an incoming call.

AFTER SERVICE, Ushers assist with facility; Greeters bid farewells.

Clerical duties:

Gather up attendance sheets and place on secretary's desk.

Witness counting of loose offering and record amount on paper form in plate.

Cleaning duties:

Pick up used bulletins and paper in sanctuary; place in trash basket is secretary's office.

Place a few left-over bulletins on literature table.

Straighten lounge, rearrange furniture, and raise windows to close.

Empty water glass at pulpit.

Check for lost items and if any are found, bring to the secretary's office and leave a note.

Closing duties:

Bolt ramp door.

Extinguish Christ candle.

Turn off the Sound System, per the sheet "Managing The Sound System."

Turn off Sanctuary light upon leaving. Switch is at rear, to the left of window.

Turn off Memorial Cabinet light in Narthex .

Switch Narthex phone ringer to ON.

Deliver flowers if instructed to do so by minister or by note left with bulletins.

Thank you for your service to the church and to the glory of God.
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