This group is responsible for Communion elements, flowers and decorations in the Sanctuary and the Great Hall. Volunteers are needed to prepare the Sanctuary and Great Hall for worship on Sunday mornings and special services such as Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. Contact Helen Hines (770-422-1696) for more information.
Acolytes
The acolyte program at FPC is active and thriving. This program has enhanced the worship service for the congregation, as well as enabled our youth to participate as leaders in the service.
The following are just a few facts about this old and beautiful tradition:
Churches have had acolytes since ancient times. The earliest record of acolytes tells us that in AD 251 there were forty-two acolytes serving in churches in the city of Rome.
The word "acolyte" is taken from an ancient Greek word meaning "companion, attendant or helper."
Light and fire remind us that God is with us. When we bring light (fire) into the place where people are gathering to worship and when the acolyte lights the candles, we are reminded that God is with us.
Lighted candles remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Many people like to think of the two candles on or beside the Lord’s table as reminders that Christ is both human and divine.
The candle on the right is called the Christ Candle. It is the first one lit and the last one extinguished. When the acolyte carries the flame from the Christ Candle out of the church it is symbolic of Christians carrying the light of Christ into the world.
Ushers
“Ushers are the embodiment of the gracious spirit of the religious group. Often unknowingly, they are friends who share in making the lonely feel cared for, the bereaved see hope, the sinner feel forgiveness, the discouraged feel cheered, the rich feel generous, the poor feel rich, and all feel enjoined to unselfish love for their neighbor. In short, Ushers are instruments who introduce individuals to every practical expression of the church’s mission, and to the presence of the Almighty.” 1Alvin D. Johnson, The Work of the Usher (Valley Forge, PA, Judson Press, 1996), p. 2.
“Being a church usher is a sacred responsibility. It requires the same quality of dedication demanded of those who teach in the church school or sing in the choir. Very often the usher is the first person the worshiper meets when entering the church. First impressions are important. The attitude conveyed with words, facial expressions, and general deportment, as well as the appearance of the usher, will influence the worshiper. In a significant sense, it is a “public relations” position of the first order.” 2H.J.R. Elford, A Guide to Church Ushering (Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 1961), p. 9.
“The church usher can radiate the very welcome of God to those who come to worship only if this feeling comes from the heart.” 3Elford, p 10.
In the Emmaus story in Luke 24, Jesus is a stranger who becomes a guest, who becomes the host. During the Easter day journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus the two disciples were deeply engaged in sharing their grief and confusion about what had happened to Jesus. Incognito, Jesus joined them along the way. He was welcomed into their discussion and when the destination was reached the two disciples asked him to stay with them and share a meal. At table Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it. Their hearts had burned during their journey while Jesus opened the scriptures to them and then they recognized Him in the breaking of bread at their table. The disciples exercised hospitality to the stranger who was Christ, unrecognized.
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” 4Gerald Spice, Ushers and Greeters (Minneapolis, MN, Augsberg Fortress, 2002), p. 8.
Please contact
for any questions or to volunteer for this important duty.
Wedding Guild
The trained guild members work with ministers, brides, grooms and their families in the preparation of their wedding services.
Pew Preparers
Volunteers are needed to prepare Friendship pads and replenish printed materials on Thursday or Friday prior to Sunday services. Call Sandra Feast (770-427-0293) to volunteer.
Funerals/Weddings
Expanded web content to come. Please contact Kaye McChesney ( 770-427-0293). .
