Sunday Morning Ministries

To get involved, contact Sherilyn Burgdorf, Shared Ministries Coordinator, at sburgdorf@zionbuffalo.org or 763.682.1245

Greeter

Come early on Sunday to greet your fellow worshipers. You are one of the first people that members and visitors see when they come to Zion. You welcome people who consider Zion their home church and also those who are visiting or considering Zion as a new “home.” You see to their needs. If people are unfamiliar with the building you are the ones who will direct them to the nursery, bathrooms, water fountains and other needs during the time they’re at Zion. Go out of your way to greet and meet people. Even when you are not on duty as a greeter we encourage you to take time to learn the names of those you meet at Zion, taking an interest in the community at Zion. Men, women, couples, singles, families, teens… all are welcome!

• Commit to 2-3 Sundays/year.

Usher

You are one of the first people that members and visitors see when they come to Zion. You welcome people and find a “home” for them for the hour of worship. You see to their needs. If people are unfamiliar with the building you are the ones who will direct them to the nursery, bathrooms, water fountains and other needs during the time they’re at Zion. Go out of your way to greet and meet people with the worship bulletin, bringing warmth and welcome to all even before the worship service has begun. Also assist in collecting the offering and directing worshipers during communion.

• Commit to one month/year.

Lector

Lectors are often called assisting ministers. Reading scripture and leading prayers during a worship service is not a ministry reserved only for pastors. Worship is the work of the people, the body of Christ who meet together for praise, prayer, and sacraments.

God’s word and God’s presence among us is being proclaimed when a lector reads the scripture lessons. Whether it’s a word of praise, of lament, of trust, or forgiveness depends on the designated scripture for a particular day.

When reading, lectors give the word of God special care and attention. A lector is the cradle, holding the word of God that comes among us when we worship. When lectors read the scripture or lead prayers with care and devotion, even a child or a stranger can know that something profound is happening.

• Practice aloud on your own time during the week and commit to the worship time of your choice.

Altar Guild

Lutherans have two sacraments: baptism and communion. Preparing the elements of communion is a behind the scenes task that is one of the most significant needs for worship. Since communion is celebrated at least two times each month at Zion many people are needed to prepare the communion elements and bring them to the altar before worship. The altar guild “sets the table” for the holy meal of communion when they fill the cups with wine and when they fill the patens (communion dishes) with wafers or bread. They also take special care in clearing and storing the communion ware after worship has ended.

There is preparation that is needed before worship begins, especially on communion Sundays. The time and care given by the altar guild makes it possible for the whole congregation to join around the altar table as one body to receive holy communion.

• Commit to 2-3 Sundays/year

Communion Servers

Those who serve communion are crucial members of the entire communion team who volunteer on the 3rd and 5th Sunday of each month. Between 10-12 people are needed each communion Sunday when intinction (dipping the wafer into the wine in the chalice) is used. In a small congregation the pastor and another worship leader can serve communion together and still maintain the flow of the worship service. In a congregation of our larger size the service is better suited to having communion available at more stations, reaching many people at the same time. Once the pastor has spoken the words of institution over the bread and the wine, the words “The body of Christ, given for you” and “The blood of Christ, shed for you” need to be heard by all. Seeing people of various ages, men and women, new members and long standing members all volunteering as communion servers reminds us once again that even though the body of Christ has many members there is only one mission. A good family service opportunity if there are middle school/senior high students in your family.

• Serve 2-3 times per year.

Communion Assistants

7th & 8th Graders Serve communion along with pastors and council members at communion the first Sunday of each month.

Homebound Communion Visitor

Make a visit after a Sunday morning worship to give communion to a home bound Zion member. One visit each month. Training session scheduled around your request. Can be a great visit for individuals or families!

Family Express

There are many ways to be involved in Family Express: welcome people as they come to Family Express, give bulletins to worshippers, or bring forward the candles. Try puppet or drama ministries, or be a musician. There’s also room for suggestions for worship ideas in Trinity Hall, the worship place for Family Express.

Coffee Fellowship

When someone comes to your home one of the first questions asked is “Can I get you something?” We share a cup of coffee or a treat as an act of hospitality. The fellowship time that surrounds the worship services on Sunday morning creates a time of sharing and conversation. The people who sat across from each other in the next pew hearing the stories of Jesus feeding the 5000 or Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples can now sit together and share their own stories. Zion has a wonderful fellowship hall centrally located and ready for conversation. Coffee hosts prepare the space for conversation and coffee: one of the best acts of hospitality especially in a Lutheran church!

• About 1/2 hour of your time and a friendly smile are the main requirements!

Nursery Volunteers

Even though you are a distance away from the sanctuary during worship you are providing important leadership by caring for young children and infants. Parenting can be stressful and when parents of young children come to worship they may not be able to concentrate on parenting and worshipping at the same time. Your hands become the hands of Christ as you care for the children while parents are away.