The liturgical worship services of the church are, by their very nature, communal, participatory, and prayerful. Since we worship as one body with many members, it is important that each ministry at the altar be served by individual participants each taking their own part as much as possible. Each service begins with the preparation of the sanctuary and all the elements and vessels used for the service. The priest is the presider at the celebration of Holy Eucharist, assisted by a deacon if there be one, with other parts reserved to the laity.  

​Following are some ways in which you can be involved:

Acolyte

The word acolyte is derived from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning companion, attendant, or helper. The acolyte at St. Francis, dressed in red cassock, lights and extinguishes the altar candles, assists the celebrant by receiving the bread and wine from the people at the offertory, brings these elements and other items necessary to the celebration of the Eucharist to the altar and washes the hands of the celebrant.  The acolyte also carries the gospel book in procession to the nave to be read by the deacon or celebrant. The acolyte has the important job of helping the liturgy flow smoothly. 
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Crucifer

The crucifer is a person appointed to carry the processional cross, leading the procession into and out of the church at the beginning and end of a service. In addition, the crucifer leads one of the clergy to the center of the nave at the time of the reading of the gospel.

Lay Eucharistic Minister

A Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) is a lay person entrusted to distribute the consecrated elements of bread and wine at the celebration of the Eucharist.

Lector

The term lector is from the Latin, "to read." A lector is a person trained to proclaim the Word of God in the scriptures at any Service of worship.  It is a great responsibility in that it is your voice, but it is God's word. ​

Leader for the Prayers of the People

A separate Lector is also scheduled to lead the Prayers of the People at our Services. These intercessory prayers take many forms, but all include prayers for the Universal Church, its members, and its mission, the Nation and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the local community, those who suffer and those in any trouble, personal needs and thanksgivings, and the departed.