The Altar Guild is a volunteer group of the parish whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish.
Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services, and clean up afterwards. Altar Guild members frequently supervise the decoration of the sanctuary of the parish with flowers.
The work of the Altar Guild is to take the mundane “chores” of our life together – the washing of dishes, the setting of tables, the trimming of candles – and find in these things the Holiness of God.
And by finding the Holiness within these chosen vessels, they show us, who are also the chosen vessels of God, how He sees us, and how we are to see one another: as holy things, set apart to reveal the Glory of God.
Grant, O Lord may we handle holy things with reverence and prayer, and perform our work with such faithfulness and devotion that it may rise with acceptance before you and obtain your blessing, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer from an old Altar Guild Manual
Hope Episcopal Church — 1613 W. 43rd St., Houston, Texas 77018 — (713) 681-6422