altar guild guidebook (ver 2.0) - trinity lutheran church...the baptismal font (except from easter...

ALTAR GUILD GUIDEBOOK

Trinity Lutheran ChurchClarks Summit, Pennsylvania

(January 2016 - Version 2.0)

Section Page

1. Schedules

Worship Schedule 4

Communion Distribution Schedule 5

Sunday Morning Traditional WorshipCommunion Format: 2016 6

2. Altar Service Book 9

3. Flowers

Brass Vases in the Chancel 10

Stored Vases and Liners 11

Artificial Arrangements 12

Additional Flower Arrangements 13

3. Offering Plates 14

4. Paraments and Linens 15

Antependium Altar Parament 17

Superfrontal Altar Parament 20

Altar Fair Linen 22

Pulpit Parament 23

5. Lectionary Book 24

6. Candles

Altar Candles 25

Three Candle Candelabra 26

Section Page

6. Candles (continued)

Paschal Candle 28

Processional Candles 29

Pew Candles 30

Window Candles 31

Servicing the Oil Candles 32

7. Banners 38

7. Thanksgiving for Baptism 43

8. Holy Communion Preparation

General Preparations 44

Intinction (5 ¾” Wafer) 50

Intinction (2 ¾” Celebrant’s Host) 57

2 Chalices (2 ¾” Celebrant’s Host) 64

9. Baptism Preparation 76

10. Additional Considerations

Previously Consecrated Elements 80

Cleaning Supplies and Wine 81

Additional Wine 82

Pew Racks and Hymnals 83

Portable Vacuum Cleaner 84

Worship Schedule

Regular Worship Schedule:

(In effect from the weekend followingthe Labor Day weekend and continuing to,

but not including, the Memorial Day weekend)

● Saturday evening: 5:00 PM

● Sunday morning: 8:15 AM


Summer Worship Schedule:

(In effect from, and including,the Memorial Day weekend through,

and including, the Labor Day Weekend)

● Saturday evening: 7:00 PM



- page 4 -

Method of Distribution Schedule

for Holy Communion

Intinction(using a 5 ¾” Wafer)

All 5:00 PM and 7:00 PMSaturday evening

contemporary servicesAll 8:15 AM Sunday

morning Blended Services

Intinction(using a 2 ¾” Celebrant’s Host)

All 9:30 AM traditionalservices

(summer worship schedule)All 10:30 AM traditional

services held on the 2nd,4th, and 5th Sundays of the

month(regular worship schedule)Ash Wednesday, MaundyThursday, Easter Sunday(all services), Christmas

Eve (all services)All mid-week Lenten

Services

2 Chalices(using a 2 ¾” Celebrant’s Host)

All 10:30 AM traditionalservices held on the 1st and3rd Sundays of the month(regular worship schedule)

- page 5 -

Sunday Morning Traditional Worship

Communion Format: 2016

Date Time FormatJanuary 3 10:30 am 2 ChalicesJanuary 10 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

January 17 10:30 am 2 ChalicesJanuary 24 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

January 31 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

February 7 10:30 am 2 ChalicesFebruary 14 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

February 21 10:30 am 2 ChalicesFebruary 28 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

March 6 10:30 am 2 ChalicesMarch 13 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

March 20 10:30 am 2 ChalicesMarch 27 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

April 3 10:30 am 2 ChalicesApril 10 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

April 17 10:30 am 2 ChalicesApril 24 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

April 31 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

May 1 10:30 am 2 ChalicesMay 8 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

May 15 10:30 am 2 Chalices

- page 6 -

Date Time FormatMay 22 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

May 29 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

June 5 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)




July 3 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)





August 7 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)




September 4 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

September 11 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

September 18 10:30 am 2 ChalicesSeptember 25 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

October 2 10:30 am 2 ChalicesOctober 9 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

October 16 10:30 am 2 ChalicesOctober 23 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

October 30 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

- page 7 -

Date Time FormatNovember 6 10:30 am 2 ChalicesNovember 13 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

November 20 10:30 am 2 ChalicesNovember 27 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

December 4 10:30 am 2 ChalicesDecember 11 10:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

December 18 10:30 am 2 ChalicesDecember 25 9:30 am Intinction (2 ¾” wafer)

- page 8 -

Altar Service Book

In preparation for the service theAltar Service Book is placed (closed)

on the shelf on the rear side of the pulpit.

- page 9 -

Flowers

The flower vases are placed on the twoshelves against the rear wall of the chancel.

The florist will place the flowersin the vases.

If there are not any flowers for a given Sunday,the vases should be removed

and placed in the sacristy.

Be careful not to handle the brass vaseswithout using a protective glove or cloth.

- page 10 -

Stored Vases and Liners

The brass altar vases and the metal liners(when they are not being used) are stored on

the shelf to the right of the sink in the sacristy.

- page 11 -

Artificial Flowers

If there are not any flowers for a given Sunday,the vases should be removed

and placed in the sacristy.

The artificial flower arrangement (stored in theresource room adjacent to the choir room) are

placed on the flower brackets in their place.

- page 12 -

Additional Flower Arrangements

In the event that there is an additionalarrangement of flowers presentedfor the service, that arrangementcan be placed on the stand placed

just to the right of the pulpit.

- page 13 -

Offering Plates

Make sure that the three offering platesare placed in the alms basin

which in turn are placed on the credence shelfagainst the wall to the left of the altar

(in the area in which the acolytes are seated).

- page 14 -

Paraments and Linens

The sets of paraments are stored on thespecial rack provided for that purpose

in the sacristy.

Please make sure the paramentsare placed across the storage rods

without any creases.

- page 15 -

Communion linens are stored in the lowersection (right hand side)

of the built-in cabinet in the sacristy.

The purple funeral pall to cover a casketduring a funeral is also stored in this

section of the cabinet.

- page 16 -

Antependium Altar Parament

When the “antependium” type of altarparament is used, make sure that it is centered

against the altar.

- page 17 -

This parament is held in place by a woodendowel.

- page 18 -

The wooden dowel snaps into place behind theouter edge of the top surface of the altar.

- page 19 -

Superfrontal Altar Parament

When the “superfrontal” type of altar paramentis used, it is secured to the back of the altar

using the velcro fasteners.

- page 20 -

Make sure the superfrontal is securedin such a way that none of the white cloth

that lays across the top of the altarfalls down the front of the altar.

If it does, adjust the velcro fastenersat the rear of the altar.

- page 21 -

The Fair Linen

The fair linen is placed across the altar.

Make sure it hangs down an equallength on both sides of the altar.

- page 22 -

Pulpit Parament

When placing the parament on the pulpit, it isvery easy for it to be off center. Inspect it from

the front carefully.

- page 23 -

Lectionary Book

In addition, the lectionary book is placed ontop of the reading desk on the pulpit.

- page 24 -

Altar Candles

The two large candlesticks and oil fueledcandles are used for all worship services.

They are placed on the two stands behind thealtar and in front of the cross.

- page 25 --

Three Candle Candelabra

The three candle candelabra are used for theGood Friday “Tenebrae” service and are

placed on the brackets that normally hold theflower arrangements.

The rear of the candelabra has an adjustmentscrew. This screw faces the wall.

The highest of the three candles on eachcandelabra faces the cross.

- page 26 -

Because the candles are symbolical of life,they should be burned as long as possible.But when they become too short (about 3

inches) they should be replaced.

- page 27 -

Paschal Candle

The paschal candle is placed in proximity tothe baptismal font (except from Easter Sundaythrough the Festival of the Ascension when itis placed in front of the altar at the base of the

steps leading to the chancel).

When in use, the paschal candle should bemoved outside of the transept area (and placed

closer to the pulpit) so that the flame is notclose to the ceiling (Christmas season and

baptisms).

- page 28 -

Processional Candles

The processional candles are stored in thesacristy and need to be filled with oil in

preparation for services at which they will beused.

- page 29 -

Pew Candles

The pew candles are used for the Saturdayevening liturgies (when the services are held ata time of the year after the sun has set) and at

other festival services.

- page 30 -

Window Candles

The window candles are used for the Saturdayevening liturgies (when the services are held ata time of the year after the sun has set) and at

other festival services.

These candles will burn through two worshipservices only if the flame on the candles are

low.

- page 31 -

Servicing the Oil Candles

The oil to refill the oil fueled candles is storedin the cabinet in the sacristy to the left of the

carillon unit.

- page 32 -

A wood rack is kept in the sacristy which willhold all of the window candles. (if you prefer toservice the candles in the sacristy rather than

at each individual window.)

- page 33 -

The tip of wicks for all of the oil candles mustbe fed through the hole in the removable top of

the candle.

- page 34 -

Use a bent paper clip to draw the wick throughthe top of the candle. The exposed portion ofthe wick at the top of the candle will be in theform of a short loop. (the shorter the exposed

loop, the shorter the flame will burn.)

- page 35 -

After the wick has been drawn through theremovable top of the candle, the paper clip

can be removed.

If the exposed tip of the wick is too long (whichwould produce too high a flame), it can be

shortened by pulling on the large end of thewick that goes into the oil reservoir within the

body of the candle.

- page 36 -

Two racks in the resource room hold the 16pew candles. (These candles will usuallyburn through three services if the flames

are not too high.)

- page 37 -

Banners

The banner is placed on the stand adjacent tothe baptismal font. The particular banner that

is used will most often match the colorof the other paraments.

- page 38 -

The banners are stored in the cabinet with thetwo large doors in the choir room. A pull-out

rack allows access to the stored banners.

- page 39 -

Banners, once they are fed onto an aluminumstorage rod, are most easily placed into thestorage rack from the bottom (rather than

trying to “feed” a banner into the rackfrom the top).

- page 40 -

Banners are changed by first removing thegold rope from one end of the banner.

- page 41 -

The brass loop on the horizontal bar isremoved from the vertical staff.

The horizontal bar is rotated so that the loopfaces the banner. From this position the

banner can easily be slid off the horizontal bar.

This procedure is reversed to mount thereplacement banner on the horizontal bar.

- page 42 -

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Services at which the liturgy for the“Thanksgiving for Baptism”

is substituted for“The Order of Public Confession,”

a pitcher of water is placed on the standimmediately to the right

of the baptismal font.

- page 43 -

Holy Communion Preparation

(General Preparation)

A heavy wax paper protective sheet is placedon top of the fair linen to protect it against

wine spills.

- page 44 -

A corporal communion linen is placedover the top of the heavy wax paper

protective sheet.

- page 45 -

A special communion linen coversthe Plexiglas shelf betweenthe two large candlesticks.

- page 46 -

Two communion purificators are placedon the left, rear edge of the

Plexiglas shelf betweenthe two candlesticks.

- page 47 -

Zip-Lock bags are used to storeadditional communion wafersin the event they are needed:

1- a 5 ¾” whole wheat wafer

2- twenty -five regular white wafers

3- a few gluten-free wafers

- page 48 -

The three Zip-Lock packages ofcommunion wafers are placed on

the right side (behind the large candlestick)of the Plexiglas shelf.

- page 49 -


(Intinction: Using a whole wheat wafer - 5 ¾”diameter)

The common cup is placed in thecenter of the altar.

Remember not to confuse the ciborium(container for the wafers) with the common

cup. The common cup has a gold inner lining,the inner lining of the ciborium is silver.

- page 50 -

A purificator is placed over the chalice.

A paten is placed over the purificator.

A 5 ¾” whole wheat wafer is placed on thepaten.

- page 51 -

A 7” chalice pall is placed over the chalice,purificator, paten, and 5 ¾” communion wafer.

- page 52 -

The proper chalice veil covers the chalice andpaten.

- page 53 -

The matching burse is placed on the veilcovering the chalice and veil.

- page 54 -

A cruet with wine (about ¾”) is placed in thecenter of the Plexiglas shelf.

- page 55 -

A veil is placed over the cruet.

- page 59 -


(Intinction: Using a Celebrant’s Host - 2 ¾” diameter

The common cup is placed in thecenter of the altar.

Remember not to confuse the ciborium(container for the wafers) with the common

cup. The common cup has a gold inner lining,the inner lining of the ciborium is silver.

- page 57 -



A 2 ¾” celebrant’s host is placed on the paten.

- page 58 -

A 7” chalice pall is placed over the chalice,purificator, paten, and 2 ¾” celebrant’s host.

- page 59 -

The proper chalice veil covers the chalice andpaten.

- page 60 -


- page 61 -

The ciborium, containing a sufficient numberof communion wafers for the service,

is placed on the Plexiglas shelf.

(To determine the proper number of wafers tobe placed in the ciborium, allow for the number

of communion wafers that remain in theaumbry from the prior distribution.)

A cruet with wine (about ¾”) is placedin the center of the Plexiglas shelf.

- page 62 -

A veil is placed over the cruet and ciborium.

- page 63 -


(2 Chalices: Using a celebrant’s host - 2 ¾” diameter

The pouring chalice (notice the pouring lip)is placed in the center of the altar.

- page 64 -



A 2 ¾” celebrant’s host is placed on the paten.

- page 65 -

A 7” chalice pall is placed over the chalice,purificator, paten, and 2 ¾” celebrant’s host.

- page 66 -

The proper chalice veil covers the chaliceand paten.

- page 67 -


- page 68 -

(Set-up using cruets.)

The ciborium, containing wafers for theservice, is placed on the Plexiglas shelf.



Two cruets with wine are placed onthe Plexiglas shelf.

The common cup is placed on the shelfand is covered with a 6” chalice pall.

- page 69 -

(Alternate set-up using the flagon instead of cruets.)

The ciborium, containing wafers for theservice, is placed on the Plexiglas shelf.



The flagon with wine is placed onthe Plexiglas shelf.

The common cup is placed on the shelfand is covered with a 6” chalice pall.

- page 70 -

A veil is placed over the communion vessels.

- page 71 -

Trays containing communion glassesare placed on the folding brackets

in front of the first pew (on the center aisleof the main section of the church).

- page 72 -

Empty trays are placed on the folding bracketsin front of the first pew (on the side aisles

of the main section of the church).

- page 73 -

Communion glasses and traysare stored on a shelf on the right sideof the built-in cabinet in the sacristy.

- page 74 -

A special tray containingcommunion glasses for the choir

is placed on the right side of the keyboard.

- page 75 -

Baptism Preparation

The baptismal supplies are in thesmall cabinet in the sacristy.

Baptismal candles, baptismal vestments,the brass liner for the baptismal font,

baptismal candle holders, andwater for baptisms are stored in the cabinet.

- page 76 -

A stand is placed in front of the processionalcross in preparation for a baptism.

A baptismal candle and a baptismal vestmentare placed on top of the stand.

- page 77 -

The brass liner is placed into thebaptismal font.

The liner is half-filled with water inpreparation for the baptismal service.

- page 78 -

A purificator is held in place on top of thebaptismal font by the cover of the font.

(Remember to remove the purificator and theliner, and dispose of the water following the

service.)

- page 79 -

Previously Consecrated Elements

Wafers and wine that have been consecratedat a previous worship service are saved in the

aumbry (located to the right of the offeringplates bracket).

Remaining wine in the pouring chalice (from adistribution using communion glasses), and

other consecrated wine that has not been usedin a chalice is placed in a cruet and placed

in the aumbry.

Wine remaining in the common cup should bepoured on the ground outside the church.

- page 80 -

Cleaning Supplies and Wine

Cleaning supplies and the bottle of wine that iscurrently being used for holy communion arekept under the sink in the sacristy behind the

drape cover.

- page 81 -

Additional Wine

Unopened bottles of communion wine arestored on the bottom of the right sideof the built-in cabinet in the sacristy.

- page 82 -

Pew Racks and Hymnals

Make a quick inspection to make sure thatthe card racks in the pews

are neat and the pencils are sharp.

Also, make sure the hymnals are properlyplaced in the hymnal racksand the ribbons are neat.

- page 83 -

Portable Vacuum Cleaner

If a touch-up cleaning is needed, a portablevacuum cleaner is available on top of thesecurity system control box located in the

choir room just inside the door to the sacristy.

- page 84 -

altar guild guidebook (ver 2.0) - trinity lutheran church...the baptismal font (except from easter...

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