Worship Matters
Handrails! Really? Yes, handrails! We’ve noticed that as our congregation gets older, it has become
increasingly difficult for some to get up those few steps to commune around the altar. Yes, Holy
Communion can be brought to folks who can’t make it up to the communion rail, but sometimes it is a
dignity and piety issue – they want to commune at the communion rail like everyone else in the kneeling
posture that demonstrates their humility before God as they receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
In the last year, we installed new handrails leading up the front steps of the chancel platform. They
have been well received. Then I had my knees replaced and getting up into the pulpit and up on the
high altar platform has become a bit of an issue for me, and for some who have been watching me. To
that end, two additional handrails have been ordered, one to steady the steps of the preacher as he or
she ascends steps up to the pulpit and the other at the back of the chancel offering assistance to
worship leadership ascending to the back of the altar.
As I continue my recovery, I will get stronger, but I will also get older. It is simply a fact that handrails
are at the very least “nice to have” and for some of us, “a necessity” to continue to serve God and God’s
people. All four handrails will be dedicated on All Saints Sunday, November 3. They have been provided
by Wayne and Becky Tennant, memorial funds in memory of William Bakos, Robert Lawson, and several
others.
The Rev. Duane A. Jesse, Pastor
increasingly difficult for some to get up those few steps to commune around the altar. Yes, Holy
Communion can be brought to folks who can’t make it up to the communion rail, but sometimes it is a
dignity and piety issue – they want to commune at the communion rail like everyone else in the kneeling
posture that demonstrates their humility before God as they receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
In the last year, we installed new handrails leading up the front steps of the chancel platform. They
have been well received. Then I had my knees replaced and getting up into the pulpit and up on the
high altar platform has become a bit of an issue for me, and for some who have been watching me. To
that end, two additional handrails have been ordered, one to steady the steps of the preacher as he or
she ascends steps up to the pulpit and the other at the back of the chancel offering assistance to
worship leadership ascending to the back of the altar.
As I continue my recovery, I will get stronger, but I will also get older. It is simply a fact that handrails
are at the very least “nice to have” and for some of us, “a necessity” to continue to serve God and God’s
people. All four handrails will be dedicated on All Saints Sunday, November 3. They have been provided
by Wayne and Becky Tennant, memorial funds in memory of William Bakos, Robert Lawson, and several
others.
The Rev. Duane A. Jesse, Pastor