Ministries: Liturgy of the Word

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Leaders of the Children’s Liturgy come forward with the Lectionary.
The presider speaks to and dismisses the children for their liturgy of the word.
The reader approaches the ambo as the last children leave the church.
When the assembly appears ready, the reader opens the book and announces the passage.
After the acclamation “The Word of the Lord” the reader closes the book and sits down for the Psalm.
There is a period of silence.
The psalmist gracefully approaches the ambo or some other appropriate place and begins to sing the psalm inviting the assembly to join in the refrain.
There is a period of silence at the conclusion of this psalm.
The reader for the second passage approaches the ambo and proceeds as above.
After the 2^{nd reading, the reader places the lectionary on the ambo shelf and returns immediately to his/her seat.}
There is a period of silence.
The music ministry begins the Gospel Acclamation. All stand.
The deacon or presider takes the Book of the Gospels from the altar table and begins moves to the ambo.
When a deacon is present he proceeds according to the rite, asks for a blessing, takes the Book of Gospels from the altar table and moves toward the ambo.
When there is a Gospel procession, the servers take their candles and lead the deacon or presider to the ambo and stand behind the deacon or presider during the Gospel proclamation.
At certain times incense may be used to show reverence for the Book of Gospels or the lectionary. In this case another server stands ready with the incense.
After the Gospel proclamation the servers put the candles (and incense) away and return to their seats.
The presider or deacon delivers the homily.
The entire assembly proclaims the Nicene or Apostles’ Creed.
The deacon or adult acolyte announces the general intercessions.
On occasion a cantor or psalmist will sing these prayers.
When planned as such, the Liturgy of the Word ends with a sign of peace shared by all. When this occurs the presider says the usual prayer, “Lord you said to your apostles, etc.” (Another invitation may be written.) The deacon or priest then invites the assembly to share the sign of peace.