Altar Guild

“God of all grace and mercy, bless those who serve as altar guild members that they may be faithful at Your altar.  Grant that through their service Your Church may be built up in faith to the honor of Your most holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

‘This prayer is used in Lutheran Service Book: Agenda for the placing of altar guild members as servants of the congregation.  It expresses three things about the nature of the work of the altar guild:  Its purpose is to serve.  Its service requires spiritual commitments. And its service has a spiritual goal.’  “

The above quoted passage is taken from The Altar Guild Manual by Lee A. Maxwell.  The book is authorized by the Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (Copyright © 1996, 2008 Concordia Publishing House, www.cph.org. Used by permission.)

Members of the altar guild serve in an important capacity within the church body.  Theirs is the task of caring for all things associated with the altar.  They are responsible for changing the paraments to correspond to the proper liturgical color.  They care for and clean the altar linens and vessels.  They provide the proper setup so that Holy Communion can be observed.    After Holy Communion they wash and put away the vessels.  They keep the candle holders clean and supplied with candles.  They hang the appropriate banners for the season or service.  In short anything that has to do with the altar or chancel falls under their care.  Each member serves for one month out of the year.  It is to be desired that two members serve together.  The altar guild is not exclusive to women.  Men are welcome to serve and do.