Instructions for Lectors (Readers)

A lector is a lay person trained to read the lessons at services.  

Before you read

• Carefully look over the reading before coming to the service.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
• Check to see that a copy of the reading is present at the lectern.
• Sit in a place that allows you to easily move to the lectern when it’s your turn to read.

When you read

• Walk carefully to the lectern.
• It is customary to reverence the Cross or Altar by either bowing or genuflecting either from the side of the pew or from the middle of the center aisle.
• If a microphone is provided take the time to point it at your mouth.
• Project loudy so that you can be heard by all people.
• Read slowly and with a slight bit of inflection. 
• At the end of the reading pause briefly (one deep breath) before giving the finishing sentence.
• For all the books of the biblical canon (66) the response is “The Word of the Lord” and the people respond “Thanks be to God.”
• On the rare occasion that extra-biblical books (Apocrypha) are read the response is “Here Ends the Reading.” The congregation should not respond afterwards. The two apocryphal books used in the Sunday lectionary are Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiasties) and Wisdom.
• When leaving the lectern it is customary to reverence the same way you did on the way up to the lectern.

Special instructions for reading the Psalms from the BCP

• On occasion you might be asked to read the Psalms between the two lessons.
• First, announce the Psalm number and verses.
• Second, announce the page of the BCP where the psalm is found.
• Wait a moment after announcing the page number to ensure most people have found it.
• Third, announce how you will lead the Psalm: Unison, responsively by whole verse, responsively by half verse, or antiphonally by whole or half verse.