Beginning Advent 2007 The Episcopal Church will use the Revised Common Lectionary. This is abbreviated RCL on the Lectionary page.
The responsibility of the lector is to read the two readings and the psalm to the congregation.
It is helpful to obtain the readings ahead of time. The Lectionary and a Biblical Pronunciation Guide can be found on our web site's Worship Bookshelf at www.saintjames.org. Our church office also has the copies of the readings that will be inserted in the Sunday bulletins.
The lector reads the readings after the celebrant reads the Collect. The celebrant will ask the congregation to please be seated during the readings.
The lector leaves his pew, approaches the altar, bows and proceeds to the lectern (with the eagle).
The lector announces the first reading, reads it and then finishes with the statement "This is the Word of the Lord" and the congregation responds with "Thanks be to God".
Next the lector leads the congregation in the reading of the psalm. This can be done in a variety of ways.
It may be read as a joint effort (lector and congregation in unison).
The lector may alternate verses with the congregation (lector reads the odd numbered verses and the congregation the even numbered verses).
The lector may alternate with the congregation responsively (lector beginning the verse and the congregation responding at the asterisk).
In addition the lector may suggest a different combination of "voices"; instead of the "two voices being lector and congregation"... some suggestions are:
congregation and the choir
men and the women
youth and adults
left and right side of the church
If you have any questions please ask either the celebrant or the liturgist for some guidance.
After the reading of the psalm the lector reads the second reading proceeding as described for the first. Upon completion of the second reading, the lector returns to their pew.
Saint James Episcopal Church • Monkton, Maryland 21111 • 410-771-4466
