A Primer for Lectors

By Albertus Minimus

A Primer for Lectors guides the inexperienced church reader or lector. It can be used in any type of church setting in which the Word of God is proclaimed and has not been approved by any official group. (Then again, it hasn’t been condemned, either.) Using plain language and typical readings for a Sunday in Ordinary Time (taken from the King James Version), the text lays out each step of the process, from initial reading of the text, through finding and de-fusing the “landmines,” to leading the congregation in psalms, and the actual Sunday performance. Breaking the process down into its steps, Primer helps the lay reader move from terror of the unknown to a calm cooperation with the Holy Spirit. The result is a more joyful and meaningful church experience for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beachtime Books
• Release date: Mar 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310205163

Albertus Minimus

Albertus Minimus is an experienced teacher, poet and lector. Having survived many excruciating church readings, he wrote his outline for success as a lector for those who may not have an experienced hand nearby to help out.

Book preview

Foreword

Oh, the hours I’ve suffered through poor presentations in church! For this reason, I offer a short guide to help you better read in your house of worship. Many people – if not most – get asked to read a lesson and confine their preparation to the single word, yes. At least, that is how the end result would make it appear. However, proclaiming the word of God requires just a little more thought and practice.

It seems to me (I hope I am wrong) that most people asked to be lectors are given the task with no instruction or training. This little tome seeks to remedy that situation. Don’t worry – you don’t have to sound like Charlton Heston to be effective.

With a few pointers, I hope you will find your experience of being a lector will bring more joy and indwelling of the Spirit to both you and the congregation you serve.

The Readings: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 9:1-4

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow