Redeemer Lutheran Church

Redeemer Lutheran Church Altar Prep Team Guide By (Altar Prep Coordinators) April 2018 Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Mission 3 The Church Building 4 Chancel/Stage Furnishings, Linens/Paraments, and Worship Appointments 5 Chancel/Stage Furnishings 5 The Altar and Its Appointments 5 The Pulpit 6 The Baptismal Font 6 Chancel/Stage Worship Furnishings 6 Paschal Candle 6 Communion Cup Receptacle Stands 6 Flower Stands 6 Linens and Paraments 6 Liturgical Seasons/Festivals and Colors 7 Church Year 8 Saturday Preparation for Worship Services 9 Saturday Evening After 5pm Service 10 Before 8am Sunday Service 11 Post-11:00am Communion Service Cleanup 11 How To's 13 Holy Communion 13 Preparation for Holy Communion - Wine 13 Preparation for Holy Communion - Wafers 15 Preparing the Altar 11 Preparing the Flowers 11 Holy Baptism 18 Preparation for Holy Baptism 18 Post-Baptism Responsibilities 21 Glossary 22 Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 2 of 25

Introduction The purpose of this guide is to glorify God by helping to increase the knowledge, skill, and significance of the responsibilities of Redeemer Lutheran Church Altar Prep Team members. The Altar Prep Team is entrusted with the privilege of preparing the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Also, seeing that the worship space is kept beautiful and in good order, both to glorify God and to provide a setting which enables the Pastor and the congregation to worship in a meaningful way. The team is responsible for seeing that the furnishings (such as the altar and pulpit,) are dusted and free of clutter; that linens and paraments are regularly cleaned and pressed; and that sacramental vessels and other worship appointments are clean and in readiness for worship. Our Mission Redeemer Lutheran Church is a grace filled community of Christians called to connect people to Jesus Christ for a life of rejoicing, relating and responding. Simply put, Connecting People to Jesus. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 3 of 25

The Church Building The church building is where Christians assemble in the name of Christ to celebrate the Holy Communion service, receive God s grace through His Word and Sacraments, offer God sacrifices of self, prayer, thanksgiving, adoration, and possessions, and fellowship with other Christians. The team s focus is primarily centered in the sanctuary and specifically on the chancel/stage and its furnishings and worship appointments. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 4 of 25

Chancel/Stage Furnishings, Linens/Paraments, and Worship Appointments Chancel/Stage Furnishings The primary furnishings are the altar, pulpit, baptismal font, communion cup receptacle stands, a Pascal candle stand and flower stands. The Altar and Its Appointments The altar is a symbol of God s gracious presence in His church and signifies primarily the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world. It is also the Lord s Table for the consecration and distribution of the bread which is the holy body and the cup which is the precious blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Lord s Supper. The top of the altar is called the mensa. The mensa properly has five Greek crosses incised in its upper surface, one cross in the center and one near each of its four corners. The crosses represent our Lord s five crucifixion wounds in his hands, feet, and side. (Life Center altar does not have crosses on it). Figure 1 Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 5 of 25

Altar appointments are (Figure 1): 1. Candles 2. Communion Trays 3. Paten Plates 4. Missal stand (a low bookstand which holds the altar service book) 5. Offering baskets. The Pulpit The pulpit is a reading desk from which the sermon may be delivered, and symbolizes the authority of the church to preach the Word of God. The Baptismal Font The font is a permanent furnishing placed very near the chancel/stage and contains a fountain and bowl of water for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Chancel/Stage Worship Furnishings Paschal Candle The Paschal candle is large floor-standing candle placed on the left side of the altar. It symbolizes our Lord s resurrection and his forty days on earth after the Resurrection. It is always on the chancel/stage and is lit for Holy Baptism, funerals, the 7 Sundays of Easter, and All Saints Sunday (First Sunday in November). Communion Cup Receptacle Stands The communion cup receptacle stands are two medium tall moveable stands, one placed on each side of the furnishing, for placement of used cups after worshippers received communion. Flower Stands Flowers stands are relatively tall, moveable, furnishings, placed on both sides of the chancel-stage, and on which vases of fresh flowers are used to beautify the worship service. Linens and Paraments Linens and paraments are cloths used to adorn the chancel furnishings. Linens are usually white, while the paraments are in colors reflecting the liturgical day or season. Redeemer Lutheran Church has the following linens and paraments: altar parament, fair linen cloth, corporal cloth and a variety of banners. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 6 of 25

Chancel/Stage Furnishings (Figure 2) 1. Baptismal Font 2. Flower Stand (background) Paschal Candle (foreground) 3. Altar 4. Pulpit Liturgical Seasons/Festivals and Colors Figure 2 White the color of the Godhead, eternity, robe of the glorified Christ and the Angels, perfection, joy, and purity. White is used during the Christmas season, Easter season including Maunday Thursday but excluding Good Friday. It is also used for Memorial services. Red the color of fire, fervor, blood, martyrdom, love, and the blood and righteousness of Christ. Red is used on Pentecost, the festival of the Reformation and All Saints Day. Blue the color for Advent which symbolizes hope. Green the color of abiding life, nourishment, rest, and the dominant color of nature. Green is used during the seasons of Epiphany and after Pentecost. Purple the color of royal mourning and repentance. The color of purple is used the first Sunday of Lent through Palm Sunday. Black symbolic of death. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 7 of 25

Church Year We follow the historic liturgical calendar. The seasons of the church year shape our life together. Half Year of our Lord Christmas Cycle: Easter Cycle: Half Year of the Church Pentecost Cycle: Advent Blue Christmas & Epiphany White Lent Purple Holy Week Purple Easter White Day of Pentecost Sundays after Pentecost Green Christ the King Sunday - White Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 8 of 25

Saturday Preparation for Worship Services Dust Altar Furnishings: altar, pulpit, flower stands, baptismal font, and (2) used cup receptacle stands. Wipe any wine spills off furnishings. Vest Altar with Paraments of the season. Check the large calendar behind the door to the Sacristy or the monthly assignment sheet. Place a round plastic bowl in each of the two used cup receptacle stands. Vest Altar with Altar linens in the following order: large fair linen cloth and smaller corporal cloth. Place Altar Candles and Missal Stand on the top of the Altar. Refill candles including the Pascal candle. Water Flowers. Put each bouquet in appropriate vases and place on the flower stands. Place Offering Baskets, five large and one small green one on the left side of the Altar, behind the altar candle on the top of the cross carved into the top of the altar. Place one dark red basket under a chair on the top row of the choir. Fill Communion Trays. Fill (4) cups with non-alcoholic wine in each of the (20) communion trays (Number of trays may change depending on attendance and seasons). Trays with new wine are placed behind and to the left (Gospel side) of the stack of consecrated wine trays. The number of communion trays placed for each of the services: (6) Saturday, 5pm (14) 8:00am (14) 9:30am (8) 11:00am Fill Paten Plates. Before filling, empty gluten free hosts from baggie onto a paper towel to remove the ice crystals. Fill each of the (6) trays with the homemade host (use the baggie labeled USE FIRST for the top trays) and (1) small metal cup containing (7-8) gluten free host. To prevent transfer of gluten, please fill the small metal cups with the gluten free host, and then cover before placing the whole wheat host in the tray. Place a large host in the top tray of the (2) for the Saturday night service, also, place a large host in the top tray of the (4) for the Sunday 8 am service. Place on the opposite side of the gluten free host container. If the large host is too large, trim it down to size using the cutter in the cupboard. If there is no homemade bread use the wafers that are in the fridge. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 9 of 25

Number of trays for each service: (2) Saturday, 5pm (4) 8:00am (4) 9:30am (3) 11:00am If there will be a Baptism, Place one banner stand (copper or black iron depending on the number of baptisms) over the black tape on the floor between the altar and the band. The banner stand with banners are placed on the chancel/stage prior to its scheduled service. Check and make sure the names on the banners match those on the certificates. Place the baptismal tray with the correct number of candles and napkins on the top of the baptismal font prior to the designated service. Prepare font for hot water addition. Check the communion kits and refill with fresh consecrated alcoholic wine and gluten free wafers if needed and label. Place pastor s water glass and saucer on the counter for the morning. Before leaving, make sure everything on this checklist is completed. Turn off the lights in the storage room, sacristy, and worship sanctuary. Saturday Evening after 5pm Service Remove the communion trays and paten plates to the sacristy counter. No refilling. Place the already prepared 14 trays and 4 paten plates (check for large host) out on the altar. Empty and wipe out used communion cup bowls If no one collects the offerings, please empty into the safe mounted by the communion robes. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 10 of 25

Before 8 am service 1. Place pastors water glass on pulpit. 2. Remove baptismal font lid. 3. If there is a baptism, add hot water to the font. Post-11:00 am Communion Service Clean Up 1. Remove vases from their stands. Remove glass vase from the decorative vase, add water and a thank you card. Carry them to the narthex and place both altar bouquets on the table near the staircase. 2. Carefully remove all communion vessels from the altar. 3. Inspect the corporal cloth and fair linen for soils and stains. If it is not soiled or stained, fold and remove the corporal cloth and place it in the plastic box in the storage cabinet. 4. Do not remove the fair linen unless it is soiled or stained. The fair linen remains on the altar at all times except for Good Friday and the Wednesday night service before Thanksgiving. For funerals we use the white vinyl. 5. Place used communion cups in a plastic lined basket and dispose. 6. Pour unused consecrated wine, using a funnel, into the wine bottle labeled consecrated, to be saved for the next communion service. 7. If the consecrated wine is not suitable to be used the following week pour out on the ground. 8. All unused communion cups are placed in a baggie to be taken home and washed by a Coordinator. 9. Consecrated hosts are put in a small plastic bag with that day s date and marked USE FIRST, placed into a plastic container and put in the freezer in the kitchen for the next communion service. Consecrated host that accidentally fall on the floor or outdated host should be disposed of outdoors. Gluten free host should be returned to their freezer container in the sacristy. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 11 of 25

10. Wash and carefully dry all communion trays and plates. Return them to the storage cabinet. 11. Remove pastor s water glass and plate from the pulpit. Wash, dry and return both to the storage cabinet. 12. If there was a baptism, take banner stand to storage room and return tray to be washed. Place the plastic cover on the font and turn off the light. 13. Remove offering baskets from the altar. If a counter does not take the offerings, the offerings need to be deposited into the wall safe. Children s offering needs a separate baggie and is also placed in the safe. 14. Put all used dishtowels and cloths as well as soiled or stained altar and communion linens in a sack to be taken home and laundered. The Coordinator is responsible for the laundering of the altar/communion linens, dishtowels and cloths. 15. Remove clutter from the countertops and wipe and dry them as well as the sink and faucet. 16. Dispose of the empty used communion cups. 17. Place two empty vases on countertop for the florist to pick up. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 12 of 25

How to s: Holy Communion Preparation for Holy Communion - Wine 1. Remove communion trays from cabinet. 2. Place 40 disposable-individual cups in each of the 40 spaces in the communion tray. 3. Fill a dispenser cup with consecrated alcoholic-free white wine. Partially fill 4 of the center individual cups in all 20 or more of the communion trays, with the alcoholic-free wine. 4. Remove the bottle of consecrated red wine from the small refrigerator. Fill a dispenser cup with the consecrated wine. Select a tray and starting from the outside ring working towards the center, partially fill the individual cups with the consecrated (blessed) wine. There may be more than one tray of consecrated wine. Place a communion tray cover on the communion trays to designate it as the top tray. 5. Continue partially filling all the remaining individual cups with the red wine. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 13 of 25

6. In the picture above, the cup on the right is too full. The cup on the left is correct. The level of the wine should match where the cup rises from the metal insert. 7. Place the communion tray cover on the trays holding cups filled with consecrated wine. 8. Extra trays are covered with another tray cover and left on the sacristy cabinets. 9. The first stack of communion trays holds the consecrated wine and is ready to be placed on the center front of the altar. The second stack will go behind and to the left(gospel side) of the first stack. 10. Rinse bottles used for consecrated wine, place it back in the fridge. Wipe off the large wine bottle and return to the bottom of the fridge. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 14 of 25

Preparation for Holy Communion - Host 1. Remove container of homemade whole wheat (ww) host from kitchen freezer. Remove homemade gluten free (gf) host from the sacristy freezer. Thaw on paper towels to remove ice crystals. 2. Remove the six paten plates and six small metal cups from the cupboard. With clean hands fill the six small cups with 7-8 gf host, set aside. 3. Use the previously consecrated ww host (from the freezer) to fill as many trays as possible. These will be your top trays. Use the new ww host to fill the remaining trays. Then nestle a gf cup into each paten plate. Place a large ww host on the top tray being careful to not touch the gf host. (Cut host smaller if it is too big and overlaps gf cup). Place a paten tray cover on this tray to designate it as the top tray. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 15 of 25

Preparing the Altar 1. Remove the corporal linen from the plastic box in the cupboard. Center the corporal cloth on the fair linen with the crosses closest to the back of the altar. The center square of the fair linen goes over the center cross on the altar. 2. Place the stack of paten trays and two equal stacks of communion trays on the fair linen as pictured. The specific number of trays for each service is specified on a sheet on the sacristy cabinet doors. 3. Using a clean damp/dry cloth, wipe fingerprint smudges from the trays and covers. 4. Place 5 offering baskets + the green (children s) basket on the left side of the altar. 5. Carefully remove top of candles and lay on folded paper towels. Fill 2 candles with liquid paraffin. Fill to 1 inch from top. Use a tissue to wipe rim before replacing the top. Wipe the whole candle down with a tissue to remove any liquid paraffin that may have dripped on the outside of the candle. 6. Place the two altar candles on the altar evenly spaced between the carved cross and the parament, and in line with the carved cross. 7. If the base is tarnished, polish with silver cleaner found back in the storage room in the upper right cabinet. Unscrew the candle from the silver base before using the silver polish. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 16 of 25

Preparing the Flowers 1. Water the floral arrangements 2. Choose appropriate vases and place on the pedestal stands. 3. Place arrangement in the vases. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 17 of 25

Holy Baptism Preparation for Holy Baptism Preparations for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is the same for all four services: 5pm Saturday, 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 am Sunday. 1. On Saturday morning a. Remove a full pitcher of water from the bowl, polish the etched glass panels and bowl with clean cloth. b. Place a baptismal napkin, unwrapped candle and an open box on the large silver baptismal tray. Leave on sacristy counter. If a Saturday baptism, place tray out on the baptismal font. Remove the font cover. c. Paschal candle should already be placed on the chancel stage. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 18 of 25

d. Hang the baptismal banner/s on the banner rack. e. Place 2 tile east from the front of the altar. 2. Prior to baptismal service a. Add very hot water from tap or coffee center to about an inch from the top of the water basin containing the pump and decorative rocks. Adding water to the Baptismal Font bowl. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 19 of 25

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b. Wipe water spills off the font s tiles, and wood trim with an absorbent towel. c. Make sure the font light is on d. Place baptismal tray on font top. e. Place the empty candle box on the first shelf near the Baptismal certificate. Check that the certificate name matches the banner. f. Adult baptisms are identical without a banner. Post-Baptism Responsibilities 1. Following the 11:00 am service, turn off the lights and replace font cover. 2. Wipe water spills off the top surfaces of the font. 3. Please assist the pastor in seeing to it that the Baptized person receives all three items: The Baptismal napkin, the candle, candle box, and the certificate. 4. Return empty tray to sacristy. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 21 of 25

Glossary Advent From the Latin for coming ; the four weeks before Christmas which constitute the beginning of the liturgical year. Altar Table in chancel used for the celebration of Holy Communion. Ascension Festival occurring forty days after Easter which celebrates Christ s ascension to heaven. Ashes Symbol of cleansing and repentance used in Ash Wednesday liturgy. Ash Wednesday First day of Lent. Name derives from custom of placing ashes on worshiper s foreheads. Banner Colored parament with symbols and words hung on wall or stand near the chancel-stage or in the sanctuary. Black Liturgical color for Ash Wednesday which symbolizes ashes, humiliation, and mourning. Blue Liturgical color for Advent which symbolizes a preparatory time of watching, waiting and communicates the message of hope. Candle altar ornaments. Tall wax lights burned during worship services symbolic of Christ the Light of the world. Chalice Cup used for administration of wine in Holy Communion. Chancel Elevated area in front of nave where altar and pulpit are located. Chrismon From the words, Christ monograms ; symbols of Christ used to decorate Christmas trees. Christmas Principal festival of the church year which celebrates Christ s birth or nativity. Communion Trays Trays used for Holy Communion [which hold up to 40 individual cups for wine.] Confirmation The rite of owning your own faith. Confessing your faith to the congregation following a designated course of instruction. Corporal Square white linen cloth placed on center of mensa, on which Eucharistic vessels are placed. [Symbolic of the linen wrapped about the face of Christ when He was laid in the tomb.] Easter Principal festival of the church year which celebrates Christ s Resurrection. Elements The bread and wine used in Holy Communion and the water in Holy Baptism. Epiphany Festival celebrated January 6 th marking the revelation of Christ to the world. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 22 of 25

Epistle Side Right side of the altar as the congregation faces it. Eucharist From the Greek for thanksgiving ; a name for the sacrament of Holy Communion. Fair Linen Top white linen cloth covering the mensa of an altar, symbolizing the winding sheet used in the burial of Christ s body. Font From the Latin for fountain ; the basin which holds water for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Good Friday Probably for the words God s Friday ; the Friday in Holy Week observing Christ s crucifixion and death. The altar is bare of all appointments. Green Liturgical color for season after Pentecost and after epiphany; symbolic of growth. Gospel Side-Left side of the altar as the congregation faces it. Holy Trinity First Sunday after Pentecost which celebrates the doctrine of the Trinity. The color is white. Holy Week The week beginning with Palm Sunday which remembers the events of the last days of Christ s life. The color is scarlet or purple Sunday through Wednesday, and scarlet or white on Thursday. No paraments are used on Good Friday. Host Unleavened bread/wafer used in Holy Communion. Lectern Reading stand in chancel from which lessons are read. Lector Person who reads the Scripture lessons. Lent From the Anglo-Saxon for spring ; penitential forty-day season (excluding Sundays before Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday; symbolic of Christ s forty days in the wilderness. The color is purple. Linens Refers to three groups of white linen cloths: fair linen, corporal cloth and baptismal napkin. Liturgy From the Greek for people s work ; the prescribed worship service of the church. Maundy Thursday From the Latin for commandment ; the Thursday in Holy Week which commemorates the institution of the Lord s Supper. The color is red or white. Missal Altar Service book. Missal Stand Stand on the altar on which the missal is placed during worship. Narthex Entrance hall of a church building. Nave From the Latin for ship ; the section of a church building between the narthex and the chancel where the congregation gathers for worship. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 23 of 25

Palm Sunday See Sunday of Passion. Paraments Cloth hangings of various liturgical colors used to adorn altar, lectern and [walls of chancel/sanctuary.] Paschal Candle Large candle placed on left(gospel) side of the altar from Easter Eve until the Ascension (seven Sundays) symbolizing Christ s forty days on earth after the Resurrection. Also at funerals/memorial services and all Saints Sunday (first Sunday in November). Right now the Paschal candle will remain on the altar at all times. Paten Plate used to hold bread during the distribution of Holy Communion. Pentecost From the Greek for fiftieth day principal festival of the church year, occurring fifty days after Easter, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Prie-dieu French term for prayer desk used for special occasions and services such as confirmation and weddings. Pulpit Reading desk in chancel from which the sermon may be delivered. Purple Liturgical color for Lent and Advent which symbolizes royalty and penitence. Red Liturgical color symbolic of the blood and the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is used on Pentecost, Reformation, and during Holy Week. Sacrament A sacred act instituted by God in which God Himself has joined His Word of promise to a visible element and by which He offers, gives, and seals the forgiveness of sins earned by Christ. Luther s Small Catechism with Explanation.] (1986) pg. 197. The two sacraments are Holy baptism the Sacrament of the Altar. Sacristy Room used for storage and preparation of items needed in worship; also used by clergy for vesting before services. Sanctuary The section of the chancel in which the altar is located. Sign of the Cross Gesture of tracing the outline of the cross with the hand as a mark of belonging to Christ.[Advocated by Martin Luther] Stripping of the Altar Ceremony at end of service on Maundy Thursday of removing all appointments, linens, and paraments from the altar in preparation for Good Friday. Sunday of the Passion The first day of Holy Week, also known as Palm Sunday. The color is scarlet or purple. Transfiguration A service celebrating the last Sunday after the Epiphany, in honor of Christ s transfiguration on the mountain. Vest A verb meaning to dress the altar [with the appropriate liturgical paraments, altar and communion linens.] Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 24 of 25

Vestments The distinctive garb (alb, stole, etc) worn by clergy and worship assistants for public worship services. White Liturgical color used on festivals of Christ including Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Holy Trinity ; symbolizes gladness, purity, light and the joy of Christ. Altar Prep Team Guide - Page 25 of 25