Episcopalians use the 'New Revised Standard Version' of the Holy Bible
Specific verses may be seen using the
'oremus Bible Browser'
Grace Your Voice With Words Of God
THANK YOU for being a Lector
and reading the scripture lessons from
the Holy Bible during worship services at
the parish.
Parishioners experience God through each other.
If you would lovingly read the Holy Scripture aloud,
the parish will hear yet another VOICE OF GOD.
If you feel somewhat lacking at being a lector,
your HUMILITY AND APPREHENSION even better qualify
you to read the Holy Scripture.
You will be NERVOUS and make mistakes but remember
that the parish is a loving family
where your good worth ever outshines such mistakes.
The words that you would speak are HOLY and
will assist you in their reading, as well as
the rest of the parish in their listening.
May you receive BLESSINGS AND PEACE from your Lector ministry.
Oh, Dear Friend, Recite To Me The Story of Jesus And His Glory
Become familiar as you can with the WORDS that you are to read.
Understand what is written. If you have the time, write out the words.
Understand the broader CONTEXT of the words that you are reading.
What was the author saying in Holy Scripture before and after?
Read COMMENTARIES about the particular words that
you are reading or where they are found in Holy Scripture.
If you have time, read other TRANSLATIONS of the words that
you are to read. If the words you are reading are different,
then what do they seem to emphasize?
Say the words ALOUD as many times as you can.
Listen to how rhythm, pauses, phrasing, and emphasis clarify meaning.
Practice those difficult pronounciations and tongue twisting phrases.
Imagine yourself as the AUTHOR and try to feel his or her
motivation.
Try to say the words as the author would have spoken them.
Earnestly tell the AUTHOR'S STORY for that is what the parish
longs to hear.
Begin by reading the ILLUMINATIONS as an introduction to the lesson. Some parishs subscribe to this service provided by the
The Living Church Foundation to make the lesson more comprehensible and interesting.
Pause and then announce exactly what chapters and verses are to be read.
Make the announcement slowly giving the congregation a few moments
to locate the lesson in the bible. For example, "THE FIRST LESSON
FOR THE DAY IS A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS, CHAPTER 1, (Pause)
VERSES 1 THROUGH 8."(Pause) or "THE SECOND LESSON FOR THE DAY
IS A READING FROM ST. PAUL'S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER ___,
(Pause) VERSES ___ THROUGH ___." (Pause)
Read the lesson from the large bible on the lecturn.
After a final pause, end the reading with the words
"THE WORD OF THE LORD". This requires the response of
"Thanks Be To God" from the congregation. If you are reading to
a largely non-Episcopal congregation that might be found at a funeral
or wedding, you should end the lesson with the words
"HERE ENDS THE READING" which does not require a response
from the congregation.
..
Lectors
of Sunday 11:00 AM Worship Services,
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Maumee, Ohio
from October 10, 1999 to May 17, 2015
Graphics are from my licensed copy of the ClickArt Christian Graphics Collection.
But they are the intellectual property of T/Maker Company of Broderbund Software.
To use the graphics obtain your licensed copy at
ClickArt.
This page last updated on 4-22-2024
