Reading on Sunday at Christ Church
So you’ve been asked and you’ve agreed to read Scripture on Sunday mornings at Christ Church! First let me say thank you for agreeing to read, and if there is anything you need, just let me know! As reading in front of people can be daunting and challenging, I’ve composed some tips to help you along for the journey. Rev. Kyle+
Voice
When you read scripture on Sunday you are doing something very important. Essentially you are transmitting the word of God to the members of the congregation, so using the gifts that God has given you is important, and this includes your voice!
It is important that one’s voice projects. Practice reading loudly (without shouting), and clearly, without mumbling. Don't forget to breathe! Take your time, its not a race, pronounce the worlds as clearly as possible. When there are big words, try and remember them, but keep reading through, even if you make a mistake. There is no need to say “I’m sorry” in the middle of a scripture reading! You aren’t getting paid for this so, enjoy the gift you are offering. We all mix up words from time to time!
Diction is important. So practice your words before your reading. Diction helps you to speak clearly, and for folks with hearing difficulty, good diction and a reasonable pace are important; otherwise people will hear your words slurred together.
Be joyful in your reading! The tone should fit the context of the reading; joyful where it is joyful, sad where it is sad.
Preparation
Practice at home! You should read at least once before church! The lectern Bible at Christ Church is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Several NRSV Bibles are in the pews and you can find the readings online on our webpage. Also, the reading will be printed for you before hand and ready at the lectern.
A reading is written in a particular format, for example, Ezekiel 37:1-14, thirty-seven is the chapter, and the numbers after the colon (:) indicate the first and last verses of the passage. For a passage that includes several portions from different chapters such as Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, the semi-colon (;) separates the portions. Sometime a reading will be given showing a partial verse such as Romans 6:1b –8. A verse may have two or three sentences in it and the reading may start at “b” the second sentence or “c” the third sentence, or ending with “a” the first sentence as in Isaiah 4:5-9a.
Preparation at Church
Look at the lesson in the lectern Bible prior to the service and notice where the passage starts and stops. This helps you find your place when you go up to read. Ensure the marker is in the right place.
Lectern Mike
Position the mike so that it points directly at your mouth, no closer that 2 inches or 5 centimeters. Even if you have a perfect voice, use the mike. People can be hard of hearing in different frequency ranges, and they may be deaf in the range your voice is in. Make sure the mike is turned on and please turn it off after you are finished so there is no feedback.
Reading a Lesson
Walk up to the Lectern as soon as it is appropriate. You may want to ensure that you sit near the aisle. Look at the congregation before you begin. Introduce the reading with, “A reading from [name of book]”. You don't have to say, "The reading is taken from ..." nor do you need to give the chapter and verse; it is in the bulletin. The chapter and verse is given when people read along in a pew Bible. This being said, we do have Pew bibles so you may want to look at them and give out the page number!
Read the lesson with passion and compassion! When finished look at the congregation and say, “The Word of the Lord”. People should respond with, "Thanks be to God."
It is appropriate to look at the congregation when you start the reading and once you have finished. To look while you are reading may cause you to loose your place, unless you are comfortable doing this! When you pass the altar, it is customary to bow at the cross, but please do what best feels good for you and the Lord!
(Adapted from http://www.ststephenanglican.com/Articles/ReadingLesson.htm)
Voice
When you read scripture on Sunday you are doing something very important. Essentially you are transmitting the word of God to the members of the congregation, so using the gifts that God has given you is important, and this includes your voice!
It is important that one’s voice projects. Practice reading loudly (without shouting), and clearly, without mumbling. Don't forget to breathe! Take your time, its not a race, pronounce the worlds as clearly as possible. When there are big words, try and remember them, but keep reading through, even if you make a mistake. There is no need to say “I’m sorry” in the middle of a scripture reading! You aren’t getting paid for this so, enjoy the gift you are offering. We all mix up words from time to time!
Diction is important. So practice your words before your reading. Diction helps you to speak clearly, and for folks with hearing difficulty, good diction and a reasonable pace are important; otherwise people will hear your words slurred together.
Be joyful in your reading! The tone should fit the context of the reading; joyful where it is joyful, sad where it is sad.
Preparation
Practice at home! You should read at least once before church! The lectern Bible at Christ Church is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Several NRSV Bibles are in the pews and you can find the readings online on our webpage. Also, the reading will be printed for you before hand and ready at the lectern.
A reading is written in a particular format, for example, Ezekiel 37:1-14, thirty-seven is the chapter, and the numbers after the colon (:) indicate the first and last verses of the passage. For a passage that includes several portions from different chapters such as Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, the semi-colon (;) separates the portions. Sometime a reading will be given showing a partial verse such as Romans 6:1b –8. A verse may have two or three sentences in it and the reading may start at “b” the second sentence or “c” the third sentence, or ending with “a” the first sentence as in Isaiah 4:5-9a.
Preparation at Church
Look at the lesson in the lectern Bible prior to the service and notice where the passage starts and stops. This helps you find your place when you go up to read. Ensure the marker is in the right place.
Lectern Mike
Position the mike so that it points directly at your mouth, no closer that 2 inches or 5 centimeters. Even if you have a perfect voice, use the mike. People can be hard of hearing in different frequency ranges, and they may be deaf in the range your voice is in. Make sure the mike is turned on and please turn it off after you are finished so there is no feedback.
Reading a Lesson
Walk up to the Lectern as soon as it is appropriate. You may want to ensure that you sit near the aisle. Look at the congregation before you begin. Introduce the reading with, “A reading from [name of book]”. You don't have to say, "The reading is taken from ..." nor do you need to give the chapter and verse; it is in the bulletin. The chapter and verse is given when people read along in a pew Bible. This being said, we do have Pew bibles so you may want to look at them and give out the page number!
Read the lesson with passion and compassion! When finished look at the congregation and say, “The Word of the Lord”. People should respond with, "Thanks be to God."
It is appropriate to look at the congregation when you start the reading and once you have finished. To look while you are reading may cause you to loose your place, unless you are comfortable doing this! When you pass the altar, it is customary to bow at the cross, but please do what best feels good for you and the Lord!
(Adapted from http://www.ststephenanglican.com/Articles/ReadingLesson.htm)
