Ushers' Guide

        To participate as an Usher is a great way to serve our Lord by actively being a part of the worship service. Ushering provides a chance to grow and to continue to serve in a very important role for the church. The role of the usher may be underestimated for its importance. Think back when you have attended a new church -- probably one of the ushers had some impact on you and your family. If you were received, most likely by an usher or greeter with a warm greeting and a smiling face, it made you feel welcome. This may have been the only personal contact you had during the service. Ushers represent the church in a very visible way. They help set the tone in preparation of the worship service as well as assisting in the smooth operation within the service.

• Ushers are expected 15 - 20 minutes before the start of service
• Turn on lights and make sure both doors are unlocked (early service only)
• If available, usher badges to be worn (look in front closet)
• If required rope-off sections requested
• Place bulletins on acolytes’ chairs
• Appoint usher assistants (as needed) for the rear section
• Ring church bell 10 minutes prior to start of service

NOTE: If there are only two (2) Ushers present:

• One Usher locate near the middle/left/center aisle intersection
• One Usher locate near the middle/center/right aisle intersection

• Escort all to their seats and distribute bulletins
• Escort visitors to seats, distribute bulletins, indicate location of hymnals, etc
• Maintain alertness for open seating and provide seating as the sanctuary fills up
• Usher in late persons at the designated times if possible (not during prayer times)
• Take count of all persons present before the children leave for junior church
• Two ushers collect prayer request during first hymn
• Ushers assist the exiting of the children leaving for junior church
• Ushers will remain standing at their posts until the sermon begins
• At offertory time, 2 pairs of ushers receive offering. Plates are alternately passed through the pews from one usher to the other. Ushers should be facing the congregation at all times when receiving the collection. When the Doxology has begun, they again proceed down the aisles in pairs to the altar for prayer.
• Ushers are responsible to clear aisles at end of service
• Prop open inner doors during the last hymn and retrieve any folding chairs used
• After benediction open outside doors
• If Communion is to be served, ushers will direct flow of congregation

NOTE: Communicant holds the communion cup and should stand after the the communion bread in the flow of communion

Duties after service:

• Clean out, replace bibles, hymnals, attendance pads to their places for next service
• Discard debris into wastebasket in entry closet
• Turn out lights in sanctuary, check lights on lower level, check heat or air conditioning and make sure all doors are locked (late service only)
• Collect attendance sheets and place in the administrative assistant's mailbox in the education building (late service only)

• The encouragement of ushers who are presently serving, as well as recruitment of future ushers is a responsibility that can be shared by all of those presently serving
• Ushering is a great opportunity for couples to serve our Lord together
• Ushering is also a great way to get the older youth involved in the Church
• Usher should be able to direct all attendees to the proper Sunday School classes, Nursery, Rest Rooms, etc.
• Usher should know location of Fire Extinguishers, First Aid Kit and other Emergency Services