“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.” – 1 Timothy 4:13

As a scripture reader, it is your role in the service to bring the scriptures to life for all to hear. This is an important task – one for which you should prepare. 

• The church office maintains a list of volunteer readers, which now includes your name. 
• The church office selects names from the list in a rotating fashion and adds them to the calendar of scripture readers for the upcoming month. This “Weekly Servers” calendar is part of the monthly newsletter, and includes the names of the other helpers like greeters and acolytes. 
• This is the only method the schedule is communicated, so be sure to pick up your newsletter from your church mailbox. Generally, no one will call or remind you ahead of time. Extra copies of the calendar are available from the church office.
• You may remove your name from the list of potential scripture readers, or indicate certain services when you will not be available by calling the church office.
   

• Call the church office a week before your scheduled service to obtain the scripture readings.
• If you give the church office your e-mail address, they will often e-mail these readings to you, which can also serve as a reminder of your scheduled time.
• Read the lesson aloud ahead of time. Practice any difficult words.
• Study the lesson for meaning and purpose. 
• Call or e-mail a pastor if you have questions about the meaning of the lessons, or if you need help on the pronunciation of words or names.
• Read the lesson aloud again. Practice any intonations or phrasing that will help convey the meaning.

• Find the name of the elder on duty in your bulletin or your “Weekly Servers” calendar. 
• When you arrive, find that elder and indicate you are present and ready for the scripture reading. They must find replacements for those who do not show up.
• There is a “lectionary” on the lectern that includes the readings printed out in large type, as well as introductory and ending phrases you need to say. Arrive early enough so you can go up to the lectern and review it.
• Sit on the lectern side, preferably in a row near the front.
• Look at the order of service, and assume you will read as indicated there. Study the items immediately before the reading so you are ready.
• Your bulletin has the lessons printed on the back. Bring it up to the lectern with you as a backup in case the lectionary is missing.
• Begin the Old Testament lesson with the words (printed on the lectionary), “The Old Testament Reading for this _____ Sunday after _____ is from the_____ chapter of _____.” End with “This is the Word of the Lord.”
• Similar phrases begin and end the New Testament lesson. These are also printed on the lectionary.
• If there is a choir anthem or hymn verse between lessons, you may either remain standing at the lectern or temporarily retake your seat in the pew.
• God uses people to proclaim his word, so make it easer for others to listen and learn by speaking in a clear, intentional manner. Don’t be confused or quiet – speak with intonation and feeling to help convey meaning.
• Retake your seat in the pew.

• It is your responsibility to find a replacement. A listing of all of the scripture readers is available from the church office – you must call until you successfully find a substitute reader.
• When you have located a substitute, call the church office so that they can update the bulletin.
• Try to find your substitute immediately if there is even a possibility you will not be able to make your scheduled service. Doing so ensures that your substitute has adequate time to prepare.

• If there is no time to secure a replacement, try to notify the church office, a pastor, and the elder on duty of your absence by e-mail or telephone.