Dn. Larry Farsakian office@stjamesevanston.org
No man is rewarded for what he receives. He is rewarded for what he gave.
With the arrival of our priest, Fr. Hovhan, St. James Armenian Church of Evanston has established an Altar Guild as directed under the Guidelines for Altar Guilds and Preparing the Sanctuary for the Celebration of the Divine Liturgy published in 2005 under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
“The mission of the Altar Guild is to assure that the worship area is clean, orderly, beautiful and inspiring. In other words, the Altar Guild strives to make the physical trappings of the church blend with liturgy to lift the soul of the worshiper” as affirmed in the Altar Guild Guidelines.
The guidelines go on to state, “The Altar Guild should not be viewed simply as a group of people who perform the necessary chores of cleaning liturgical vessels, vestments and linens. Rather each member must feel that he or she is called to a vital ministry of service to the parish.”
We thank our altar servers who each week prepare the holy altar for church services and who contribute to uplifting the beauty of our holy sanctuary. But our Guild is not limited to those ordained to serve. Lay parishioners are also needed to help with cleaning of the altar and the altar table, maintenance of the altar linens, polishing of the altar vessels, repair of clergy vestments, care of liturgical books, and arranging for altar flowers for each celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
With this in mind, we are looking for devout and dedicated parishioners who are willing to contribute to uplifting the beauty of our holy sanctuary. The commitment is minimal but the rewards will be great. What better way to enhance the celebration of our Divine Liturgy than to give of yourself unto the Lord.
Some of our duties include: cleaning of the altar and the altar table, maintenance of the altar linens, polishing of the altar vessels, repair of clergy vestments, care of liturgical books, and arranging for altar flowers for each celebration of the Divine Liturgy. So you see, the supporters of the Altar Guild are not only altar servers, they are seamstresses, cleaners, polishers, gardeners and creative thinkers.
If you are interested in being a part of or helping the St. James Altar Guild, please contact either Fr. Hovhan or Deacon Larry Farsakian, the Sacristan of St. James. We will be excited to work with you and you will be energized to serve.
Remember…The highest of distinctions is service to God and others.
