All God’s Children Manual
“Proclaiming God by Serving His Children”
Christ Church Budd Lake
369 Sandshore Road
Budd Lake, NJ 07828
973-347-1866
www.christchurchbuddlake.org
Version 3.0
Prepared January 2012
By the AGC Staff
Table of Contents
Page Number
1. Introduction
3
2. Prayer Warrior
4
3. Director
5
4. Video Room Set Up
6
5. Gluten Free Snack Bags
7
6. Altar Set Up
8
7. Greeters/Communion Ushers
9
8. Crucifer
10
9. Audio/Projectionist
11
10. Bible Story Teacher
12
11. Joyful Noise Leader
13
12. Coffee and Kitchen Set Up
14
13. Supervise Video Room
15
14. Appendix
a. AGC Sign Up Sheet
16
b. Sample PowerPoint Slides of AGC Service
17
c. Sample AGC Order of Worship
18
Page 2
Introduction
Welcome to All God’s Children! This manual was written by the staff of the All God’s
Children service at Christ Church in Budd Lake, NJ to serve as a handbook for all the
volunteers involved in making AGC happen. It describes the roles and responsibilities for
most of the volunteer positions, to make it as easy as possible for anyone who might wish
to contribute to this wonderful service.
Each one-page description lists the materials needed to perform the task, along with
detailed instructions based on past experiences. The service continues to change and
evolve, so these descriptions are provided as a guideline to assist new volunteers, not a set
of restrictions to limit their own creativity.
This manual is available electronically on the church website, listed on the front page, under
the AGC tab.
For all of the positions described, it is the responsibility of the volunteer to provide a
substitute if the volunteer is not able to attend the service. The volunteer should call or
email the director with the name of the substitute, or in the worst case, let the director
know as soon as possible that the volunteer cannot complete their assignment.
So, who’s ready for a cross parade?!
(All materials in this handbook © Christ Church Budd Lake)
Luke 18:16 But Jesus sent for them, saying, Let the children
come to me, and do not keep them away, for of such is the
kingdom of heaven.
Page 3
Prayer Warrior
Responsibility: Pray for the Presence of God to be made manifest at the upcoming AGC service
Materials Required: Faith
Details: The Prayer Warrior specifically offers prayers on a frequent (daily) basis during the week
leading up to an AGC service. The Prayer Warrior asks God to bless all of the participants in the service:
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The Children
Their Parents and Grandparents
The Volunteers
The Priest
The Congregation as a Whole
Anyone else the Prayer Warrior feels called to include
In general, the Prayer Warrior should seek God’s will for the congregation as we seek to enact our
mission statement “Proclaiming God by serving His Children.”
Page 4
Director
Responsibility: This volunteer will be responsible for the entire service.
Materials Required:
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AGC Sign Up Sheet on computer
AGC Email List for Volunteers
Printed Sign Up Sheet and Clipboard
$100
Details: The Director coordinates all of the activities required for an AGC service. Two weeks before a
service, the Director prints out the Sign Up sheet and distributes it during the 9:00AM and 10:15AM
services. Later that day or the day after, the Director publishes the Sign Up sheet electronically to the
volunteer email list, with the names included from the physical sheet. The Director should try to get all
of the assignments filled by the Sunday before the AGC service, including a Mom’s Minute. If any
volunteers subsequently cancel their participation, the Director finds a substitute if the original
volunteer could not. The Director should also ensure that the musical instruments and AGC Order of
Worship are set up on the Sunday before a service.
Before the AGC service, the Director should make sure any PowerPoint slides for the Joyful Noise are
included on the computer. Before or on the morning of AGC, the Director should get 100 dollar bills
from the treasurer to be distributed by the ushers just after Bible Story Time.
As 9AM approaches, the Director should ensure that the Projectionist has the computer up and playing
music and showing pictures. At 9AM the Director (or priest) should call out “Who’s Ready for a Cross
Parade!” and the service begins.
The Director also performs the Welcome, introducing the priest and the Mom’s Minute volunteer, in
addition to reviewing the following standards:
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Noise and movement by the children is OK
The prayer room is available if a quiet place is desired
The AGC Sign Up sheet for the next service is available at the entrance
Dollar bills will be provided for the collection
Page 5
Video Room Set Up
Responsibility: This volunteer will prepare the Prayer Room for Snack Time
Materials Required:
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Folding Chairs
Monitor and Videos
Garbage Bin
Couches and Chairs
Details: This volunteer will set up the Prayer Room so that the children can sit and eat their snack
while watching a video after AGC. The room should be set up the Sunday before a service if possible,
with two rows of folding chairs facing the video monitor, plus the permanent chairs and couches. The
garbage bin should be empty and placed next to the front door by the snack table. The videos should be
stacked up to the left of the monitor on top of the library case. The room should be cleaned if
necessary.
Page 6
Gluten-free Snack Bags
Responsibility: This volunteer will make sure that there are at least a dozen lunch bags filled with
gluten-free snack items for the children to enjoy in the Prayer Room after the service.
Materials Required:
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12+ Lunch Bags
Popcorn in snack bags (no butter)
Raisins in individual boxes
Corn chips
Small water bottles
Gluten-free animal crackers
Fruit snacks
Details:
After the service the kids watch videos in the prayer room and want to eat a snack, while their parents
are getting coffee. Before the service starts, this volunteer should deliver the dozen-plus lunch bags to
the Prayer Room and place them on the glass tabletop by the door. The raisins and the water bottles
should be placed on the table separately from the lunch bags. Each lunch bag should have at least one
snack bag filled with unbuttered popcorn, and then whatever other items from the list above the
volunteer feels called to add. Any chips or animal crackers that have “gluten-free” on their labels are
fine. Snacks in general should not be high in sugar either, although the fruit snacks (e.g. Welch’s Fruit
Packs) are OK. The lunch bags can also be decorated with stickers, poems, or something that reinforces
the theme for that service. If the volunteer wants to be reimbursed for any money spent on this task,
please provide receipts to the treasurer. The water bottles are stored between the stove and the
dumbwaiter in the kitchen, if the supply is running low please let Paula Ackley know.
Specific Snacks:
UPC Number
Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Chips
EnerG Wheat-Free Pretzels
SunMaid Natural California Raisins
Newman’s Own Organic Calif. Raisins
Welch’s Reduced Sugar Fruit Snacks
Mi-Del Gluten Free Ginger Snaps
Multigrain All Natural Tortilla Chips
1583902020
7511914720
4114302010
8428404015
3485622198
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX (by Food Should Taste Good)
Page 7
Altar
Responsibility: Prepare the altar for the AGC communion service, then clean up immediately afterwards
so weekly altar administrant may set up for the 10:15 service.
Materials Required: Plastic cloth, altar cloth, candles, bowls, gluten free bread, communion wafers,
communion cups and holders, grape juice.
Details: Arrive 20-30 minutes before the service. If the previous week’s altar administrant has not
already done so, prepare the altar by removing the tall Eucharistic candles to the kitchen or sacristy.
Place first the plastic cloth and then the large, white cotton cloth over the altar. The plastic cover is kept
in the small cupboard on top of the linen cabinet in the sacristy, to your left as you step into the room
(hereafter referred to as the AGC cupboard). The cloth is kept in the linen storage cabinet (on wheels)
under the cupboards where communion vessels are kept. After the covers have been placed, put the
AGC candles (kept in sacristy) on the altar, one at either end.
Take the communion cup holders from their boxes (kept on top of bell tower mechanism in the sacristy)
and place about 15 communion cups (kept in AGC cupboard) in each one. This may vary as numbers
attending the service change, so try to keep aware of how many communicants we seem to have each
time) . There is a special holder, kept in the AGC cupboard, for squirting grape juice into the cups. Place
the three trays on the altar. Get one slice of gluten free bread from the upstairs freezer (slices are
frozen individually), defrost it in the microwave oven and cut it into 12-16 small pieces. So far, one slice
has been more than enough to provide the gluten-free bread we need. Divide the bread amongst 3
glass bowls (from AGC cupboard). Add some regular communion wafers (in plastic container in
communion cabinet) to each bowl. Place bowls on altar next to grape juice. Light the candles.
After the service, place any leftover communion wafers into the reserve sacrament receptacle in the
tabernacle. Take any leftover gluten-free bread outside and scatter in the bushes for the birds. Empty
any cups still containing grape juice into the left sink in the sacristy, and rinse all cups there before
throwing them away. This is because the elements have been consecrated and need to be disposed of
properly. Take off the AGC candles and put them away, remove and fold the cloth and plastic cover.
You, or the weekly altar administrant may then place the regular Eucharistic candles back on the altar.
Please tell Rebecca when supplies of grape juice or gluten free bread are getting low.
Rebecca, or someone else who has done this regularly will walk new volunteers through this the first
time or two, showing where things are kept. Once you know where things are and what needs to be
done, it does not take long.
Page 8
Greeters/Communion Ushers
Responsibility: Welcome all participants as they enter and assist with Communion
Materials Required:
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Welcome Table
Nametags
Pens
Name Stickers
AGC Tee Shirts
Details: The Greeters should arrive by 8:30AM on Sunday morning. They place all of the pre-printed
nametags, name stickers, pens, welcome packets, etc on the small square “welcome table” at the
entrance. Everyone who walks into the service should be welcomed and given a nametag, even the
other volunteers! Name stickers can be printed with first names only for any child who doesn’t have a
permanent tag. Also, any child who is new to the service should be offered a free AGC tee-shirt if they
or their parents are willing to accept it. New families can be given a quick overview of the church setup
(bathroom, quiet room) and also given an AGC Order of Worship. Emphasize that they should relax and
let their children be comfortable.
As the Bible Story Time is ending, hand out $1 bills to everyone in the congregation. As communion is
served, guide families to go up to the shortest line of the three serving stations. The greeters need to
count the number of participants overall, and also the number of people taking communion. These two
numbers need to be written in the calendar in the robbing room, sitting on the desk.
After the service, during the coffee hour, try to get the email addresses of new attendees if they are
willing to share.
When the service is over, place all of the welcoming materials in the Music Room in separate boxes. The
AGC tee-shirts can be stored in the coat rack.
Page 9
Crucifer
Responsibility: Begin and Finish Both Cross Parades
Materials Required:
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Robe
Crucifix
Details: The Crucifer should arrive by 8:45AM and change into the vestment robe. Robes are located
in the center back room, choose any red robe. A few minutes before 9AM, the Crucifer should take the
Crucifix out of its base and walk to the back of the church near the piano. When the Director shouts
“Who’s Ready For a Cross Parade” and the music starts, the Crucifer should walk at a lively pace
towards the projection screen, and then around the perimeter of the church, holding the Crucifix high.
The Crucifer should loop back towards the piano and pass by those who are still getting their crosses.
After 2 or 3 loops, the Director will signal the Crucifer to place the Crucifix back into its base, and the
Crucifer sits down.
During the Blessing, the Crucifer should again take the Crucifix back near the piano so that the
concluding Cross Parade can start immediately after the Blessing is over, at a lively pace. After 2 loops
around the church the Crucifer should walk to the Prayer Room door so the children can walk in to get
their snacks.
Page 10
Audio/Projectionist
Responsibility: This volunteer operates the computer for the AGC service
Materials Required:
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Computer
Printed out PowerPoint document
Screen
Projection Table
Projector
Details: The Projectionist should arrive by 8:30AM. The computer will either be on the projection
table or stored in the office downstairs, in the lower left-most cabinet below the fax machine. The
projectionist should follow the directions printed on the projector to power up and connect the
computer to the projector. The screen may need to be adjusted once the projector is on. Once the
projector is up and running, connect the gray audio cable to the “earphone” plug on the left side of the
computer, and turn on the church speakers by turning on the power strip under the A/V table in the
back corner of the church.
Before the service begins, play the children’s music and show the pictures of the children by selecting
both tasks from the task bar on the bottom of the computer’s screen. Adjust the volume on the
speaker’s console as necessary. Just before 9AM, stop the music, minimize the picture slide show, and
start the AGC PowerPoint presentation. Follow the pre-printed PowerPoint document during the
service, hitting the down-arrow to advance each slide, or let a child “help” perform this task (if a child
assists, they only hit the down arrow button, the projectionist is responsible for everything else.) If a
slide has a music icon, place the cursor arrow on top of the music icon and then click or tap to start the
music. Hit the down arrow key to stop the music.
After the service is over, close the AGC PowerPoint, then maximize and restart the picture slide show.
Do NOT turn off the computer, the 10:15AM service will use it.
If there are any problems with the computer, contact Ray Bonker or Debbie Burkhart.
Page 11
Bible Story Teacher
Responsibility: Lead the Bible Story Time and Prayers
Materials Required:
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Any Props Desired (guitars, signs, etc)
Scripture reading printed out on a sheet of paper
Prayer Rope
Microphone
Details: The Bible Story Teacher should tell the Director in advance about ideas for this part of the AGC
service. Whenever possible, it should reinforce the theme for the day. The Teacher should
print out the Scripture lesson to be read during Bible Story Time (selected based on the theme by the
priest and/or Director), and before the Bible Story Time starts, the Teacher should give the printed
Scripture lesson to the child reader, or select someone to read it. Ideally, the Teacher will have
communicated with the child’s parent ahead of time, so the child can practice reading at home.
The Teacher should repeat/rephrase the reading if it was hard to hear or understand. Then the Teacher
proceeds to give a quick (3-4 minutes maximum) story lesson. After the lesson, the Teacher invites
everyone in the church to stand up and hold on to the prayer rope. The teacher can begin with a prayer
that reinforces the lesson, add other short prayers or simple call-and-response chants (e.g. “Jesus is
Love!”) and then end the prayers with the Lord’s Prayer, inviting a child to start it with the words “Our
Father.”
The Teacher then instructs everyone to return to their seats for communion, as dollar bills are
distributed.
Page 12
Joyful Noise Leader
Responsibility: Lead the AGC service to make a “Joyful Noise Unto the Lord”
Materials Required:
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PowerPoint Slides
Any Props Desired (guitars, signs, etc)
Details: The Joyful Noise Leader should tell the Director in advance about their ideas for this part of
the AGC service. If possible, it should reinforce the theme for the day. The Leader should either provide
or describe their PowerPoint slide requirements in terms of song lyrics, pictures, etc. The presentation
of the material should be short and high-energy. Try to keep descriptions and explanations short and
easily understandable, and speak loudly into the microphone, as the kids will likely make noise
throughout this segment. Repetition, call-and-response, and simple mimicked movements all work well.
Most of all, make it fun! Give the kids lots of opportunities to shake their bells and tambourines and
shout out.
Page 13
Coffee and Kitchen Set Up
Responsibility: This volunteer will make two pots of fresh, hot coffee: one regular and one decaf. Also
included is setting out napkins, plates, coffee stirrers, sugar, sugar substitutes and coffee creamers.
Materials Required: All coffee products and accessories should be found in the upper kitchen of the
church. This includes the large metal coffee maker (100-cup capacity) and the smaller metal coffee
maker; napkins, paper plates, coffee stirrers, sugar, sugar substitutes and coffee creamers (both dry and
liquid). Also serving implements and knives for cutting baked goodies
Details: The volunteer must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the service (8:30am), since it
takes an experienced coffee volunteer at least 20 minutes to set up the two coffee makers.
Using the large metal coffee maker, the volunteer should make either 24 cups of regular coffee or 36 if a
large congregation is expected; and 12 to 18 cups of decaf coffee in the smaller metal coffee maker.
Filtered water from the downstairs kitchen is preferred (from the small faucet on the left side of the
kitchen sink), and the water may be moved upstairs in the dumb waiter. No paper filters are used in
either metal coffee maker. The directions for the large coffee maker are on the side of the large metal
filter; quantities of ground coffee are measured in cups (one and a quarter cups of ground coffee makes
36 cups of coffee etc). For the smaller metal coffee maker quantities are not shown and should be
measured with the black plastic measuring spoons found inside the ground coffee containers. If you are
making 12 cups of decaf you should use 7 measures of ground decaf; if making 18 cups then 11
measures should be used.
Once the coffee pots are filled with the proper amount of ground coffee and water, and the lids are in
place and plugged in (and the larger one turned ‘ON’), the other accessories should be placed on the
counter behind the closed ‘windows’ of the kitchen: napkins, paper plates, coffee stirrers, sugar, sugar
substitutes and dry coffee creamers. Immediately after the service ends the milk, half-and-half and
gourmet creamers should be placed on the counter and the ‘windows’ opened. All baked goods should
be set up on a table and kept inside the kitchen until 9:30AM, when the table is brought out of the
kitchen and put against the side wall. Before the 10:15 service begins the milk, half-and-half and the
gourmet creamers should be returned to the refrigerator until the end of the 10:15 service.
After the 10:15 service all liquid creamers should be placed in the upstairs refrigerator; each coffee
maker should have the used grounds dumped into the trash can; the coffee filters should be rinsed and
placed in the dish rack and the coffee makers rinsed and emptied. The counter should be wiped clean
and used paper cups & plates and empty food containers all thrown in the trash.
An experienced volunteer should be available to “walk you through” the process your first time. If you
notice that any coffee supplies are running low, please let Ed Burkhart or Paula Ackley know.
Page 14
Supervise Video Room
Responsibility: These 2+ volunteers will take responsibility for the children as they enter the Video
Room after the final Cross Parade.
Materials Required:
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Video Monitor
DVD’s
Folding Chairs
Snacks and water (provided)
Details: At least one volunteer must remain in the Prayer Room at all times while the second volunteer
stands by the door. If a child cannot be redirected to the snack and video, one adult follows the child in
search of their parent. Watch the side door of the church so that no child leaves the building without
their parent.
As the children enter the room, invite (but do not require) that they take a snack bag and sit in a folding
chair. Insert the DVD in the Video Monitor (hit the TV/DVD button if there is no picture.) Watch the
volume, something around 30 or so is usually loud enough.
After the last child has departed the Video Room, clean up all of the debris. Fold up the chairs but leave
them in the room. Vacuum the carpet if necessary, perhaps after the second service based on timing.
Page 15
Appendix A: Sample AGC Sign Up Sheet
Pre-Service Prep: January 15th
Theme: David and Goliath
Prayer Warrior
Decorations for Bible Story Time
Director
Setup Video room (2 people)
Bring gluten free snack bags
Set Altar (2 people)
Mom's Minute
Flowers For Altar
During Service
Greeters/Communion Ushers (2)
Cross Parade - pass out and collect Crosses
Crucifer
Audio/Projection
Child to read scripture
Communicants to serve Communion (5)
Distribute Dollar Bills
Joyful Noise leader
Close of service:
Deliver Offering Basket to Vesting Room
Supervise & Interact w/Kids in Video Room
(2)
Coffee Hour
Bake for service (2)
Make Coffee, setup kitchen
Page 16
Adults
Kids
Appendix B: Sample AGC PowerPoint Slides
Page 17
Appendix C: Sample AGC Order of Worship
1. Cross Parade
2. Welcome!
3. Moms Minute
4. Sing "Jesus Loves Me" (lyrics on back)
5. Bible Story Time
6. Prayers (on back)
7. Peace be with You!
8. Communion
9. Joyful Noise Time!
10. Blessing
11. Cross Parade
Page 18