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Effective Service of the Church Usher
Constant proofs of healing at our church services are being noted. The sick, the sinful, the discouraged, attending these services, are frequently healed, many during their first visit. Every member of the church may take some active part in this glorious work. A courteous greeting with a word of encouragement, the giving of a testimony, and such like,—all aid the services. And each one shares in the silent prayer, which is for the benefit of all, as required by the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 5) by Mrs. Eddy. In a letter to The Mother Church in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 149), our beloved Leader asks that all "bring what they possess of love and light to help leaven your loaf and replenish your scanty store."
In performing the duties of usher, one has to remember that he stands "a sentinel at the vestibule of Truth, to usher in those whose hearts are ready for the reception of Truth's benefits, but alert against the instrusion of error, and armed, like the Christly sentinel of Paul's portrayal, with the 'breastplate of righteousness,' the 'shield of faith,' 'the helmet of salvation,' 'the sword of the Spirit,' and 'shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.'" The usher should show the greatest Christian courtesy; in love and gentleness radiating a loving welcome. In seating the guests he should keep in thought that divine wisdom leads and guides, and that those he is seating will be directed to their proper places.
An usher should be alert about his duties, and prompt in his performance of them. He should clearly apprehend what the word "service" and its application mean, as well as endeavor to realize the allness of God. He should assume his duties with the fixed purpose of performing them faithfully as a true soldier or a sentinel on guard. He should never take offense; neither should he allow carelessness or indifference on his part to present itself. His uppermost thought and prayer should be to express the Christlike qualities of meekness, mercy, peace, justice, purity, and dignity. To keep watch over all that would affect the comfort of the congregation is his paramount duty.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
October 27, 1923 issue
View Issue-
"Lead us not into temptation"
STANLEY M. SYDENHAM
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"Sing joy"
RUTH INGRAHAM
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"The Prince of Peace"
JACOB GINSBERG
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Effective Service of the Church Usher
EDWARD CLAYTON PYNE
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The First Commandment
FLORENCE A. HOYT
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Simplicity
HELEN ANDREWS NIXON
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A Weaver
LILLIAN BARKER DURKEE
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It is now generally known that Christian Science healing...
Mrs. Katherine English, Committee on Publication for British Columbia, Canada,
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Mrs. Eddy discovered and founded Christian Science;...
Thomas W. Whiffen, Committee on Publication for the State of Tennessee,
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Christian Science has been found practical, not only...
Walter H. Bedard, Committee on Publication for the State of Georgia,
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Christian Science is, as its name states, Science
J. O. Thomson, Committee on Publication for Victoria, Australia,
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The Bible teaches that God is Spirit, omnipotent, omnipresent...
Miss Ellen Graham, Committee on Publication for Lanarkshire, Scotland,
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Letters from the Field
with contributions from Alfred Bode, Margarete Diercksen, Bertha Kühne, Elsbeth Unverdacht
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Announcement
The Christian Science Board of Directors
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"Be ye separate"
Albert F. Gilmore
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On the Value of Time
Duncan Sinclair
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Imbibing the Spirit
Ella W. Hoag
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From the Directors
The Christian Science Board of Directors
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The Lectures
with contributions from John J. Flinn, William E. Jackson, Loewenthal, A. Hervey-Bathurst, William D. Kilpatrick, James B. Patterson
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Because the study and application of Christian Science...
Frederick Richard Johnson
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Christian Science has been for me truly the new birth,...
Lueia Taparella
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Christian Science was presented to me seven years ago
Ephraim O. Engberg
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Christian Science was first presented to me by our physician,...
Meta C. Koenig with contributions from Emil H. Koenig
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I am very grateful for the revelation of the Christ,...
Flora Collier
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For the numerous blessings which have come to me...
Isabelle Ames
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It is with a heart full of gratitude that I send my testimony...
Christina Shannon
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As a result of a difficult operation there had formed...
Auguste Weihtag with contributions from Gertrud Weihtag
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from Heber Dwight Ketcham