Worship Procedures for Lectors

The Procession

Meet for the procession in the narthex 15-20 minutes prior to the service.
Find the lectionary at the worship desk in the narthex and mark the location of the passages to be read. The lectionary is the large blue book which contains all the lessons for the church year and is located in the top, right drawer of the worship desk. (You may want to read from paper copies of the lessons you’ve rehearsed and marked if you prefer, but please insert your copies within the lectionary so they aren’t visible or distract from the lectionary.)
Your position in the procession is directly behind the acolytes.
Display the lectionary at chest level so the cross on the front is visible. If you find the lectionary is too heavy to carry with your arms extended, you may lean it against your heart/chest.
When you reach the front of the church, pause at the altar for a moment, then continue to the lectern and place the opened lectionary on it.

The Reading

Please be in place at the lectern as the previous prayer or hymn is ending so you can begin the reading immediately after the prayer is finished.
Begin the reading with the words written in the lectionary: “The Reading is from________”. (The name of the book only. It’s not necessary to read the names of the chapter or verses since the full sources are printed in the bulletin.)
End the reading with the words (also written in the lectionary): “The Word of the Lord”.

Suggestions for Reading Clearly:

Please rehearse the passages in advance. (Copies of the lessons are available in the church office by the Wednesday before the Sunday you read. In the future they will be available on-line as well.)

Enunciate well.

Speak slowly enough to be clearly understood and to compensate for reverberation in the sanctuary.

Don’t attempt an over dramatic or affected delivery.

Speak with clarity and confidence.

The Recession

The crucifer and acolytes will begin the recession during the first verse of the closing hymn. As they begin, move to the lectern to pick up the lectionary.
Move to the front of the lectern and stand in that place as you face the cross held by the crucifer. Again, display the lectionary by holding it in front of you so the cross on the front of the book is visible.
When the crucifer and acolytes continue the recession during the final verse of the closing hymn, move to the aisle and follow the acolytes. The clergy and others will follow.