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- Dejan Ćuk
- Slobodan Petrović
- Dušan Nikolić
- Duško Vidović
The first and greatest assistants to the priest in the church are the ushers.
These are individuals whom the priest selects, based on his assessment of how prepared and capable they are to assist during divine services, as well as in the church in general. There are always 2-3 in the nave and 2 in the altar, who take care of the priest’s needs and the service. In the altar, they coordinate the work of the readers (altar boys), so that everything is ready on time and found in the right place.
The role of the church usher is to help ensure that the Service in the Church flows smoothly, and to assist the faithful in various practical ways.
The specific responsibilities of ushers vary from church to church, but generally their duties include greeting the faithful when they enter the church, helping people with special needs, collecting offerings from the faithful…
In some churches, ushers wear a badge with the inscription “usher,” so that the faithful can more easily recognize them and know whom to approach for help.
Before the Divine Service begins, ushers are the ones who review everything, check the thermostat, verify that the church is ready for the Service, and prepare bulletins for distribution.
As the faithful enter, the ushers greet them at the entrance with a smile, welcoming them and ready to assist if any need arises.
During the service, ushers have their role in a specific way.
They are responsible for receiving contributions from parishioners and placing them in the designated location. Their goal is to minimize any disruption to the service or sermon. They are always ready to approach and help anyone in the church who needs assistance and to help those who arrive late find their place in the nave. When necessary, they may be responsible for watching the building and parking lot to prevent vandalism, theft, or anything that would be detrimental to the church and parishioners.
Church ushers know the procedure in unforeseen situations. In such moments, it is their duty to lead people in order and peace to a safe place.
After the Service, ushers are again at the doors, and having greeted them, they ensure that persons who need help receive it. At the end, they check the thermostat, lights, and that the church is left in the best order.
Despite the fact that “ushers” are nowhere mentioned in the Bible, they are of invaluable importance to today’s local churches. In many ways they are the “face” of the church, they are the first whom the faithful meet at the entrance to the house of worship and the last they see when leaving. It is very important that the usher’s face shows a friendly smile, sincerity, kindness, and a desire to help.
The position of usher in the church is a great honor, and it requires integrity, warmth, and wisdom.
The heart of the usher is the heart of a servant, who serves his Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24) “Knowing that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.”
The church usher possesses true love and is ready to promote a beautiful atmosphere for prayer in the house of God. The verse from (Psalm 84:10) would best apply to them: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”