Lay Liturgical Ministries

Acolytes enhance the worship experience through serving the priests and deacons as servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers, thurifers, and banner-bearers. Carrying candles, they lead the processions to begin and end the worship. Acolytes assist deacons at the preparation of the altar table for the Eucharist.

Chalice Bearers assist during the preparation and presentation of the Eucharist (Communion) of bread and wine as we share in the covenant of all people with God through the tradition of remembering The Last Supper.

This group takes care of setting up for Sunday Services, as well as for funerals, weddings, Christmas, and Holy Week leading up to Easter. This includes caring for linens, communion wafers, flowers, silver, the Font, and anything else pertaining to activities in the Nave.

Music is a primary theological language, so its inclusion in worship services is essential to the work of the church. The music ministry at St. Philipʼs has traditionally consisted of organ, choir, and various guest musicians.

Since March, 2020, our ministry has had to adapt to the use of online worship, so have begun to use a more a more contemporary format led by keyboard and guitar.

Lay Readers serve an important role of worship in the Anglican Tradition, reading scripture from the Old and New Testaments, leading responsive prayer of the Psalms, Prayers of the People, and through the sincere recitation of The Lord’s Prayer at every weekly service.

Ushers at St. Philips accent the spirit of welcoming parishioners and visitors to our worship, providing the weekly bulletin for everyone to participate in worship, collecting and presenting offerings to be blessed, and directing visitors to areas of the church campus.

Vergers assist the clergy in the conduct of public worship, especially in the marshaling of processions. The history of the verger dates back to the middle ages when the verger was the “Protector of the Procession.” Vergers would lead the way, making room for the procession to enter the church from the town square, and with the virge (mace) in hand would literally clear the way if necessary. The basic vestment of the verger is a black cassock. The ministry of vergers is supported and encouraged by the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church.