1. Arrive no later than 8:30AM. Put on your uniform (deacon button).

2. Inspect walkways to make sure they are clear and not hazardous (i.e. wet leaves, snow, ice etc.).

3. Unlock the parking lot, sanctuary, and sanctuary side doors. Turn on hallway lights as necessary.

4. Make coffee first. Make pot of hot water. Put out cups, teabags, sugar, milk, etc.

5. Turn on sanctuary lights, open shutters, windows and storms as appropriate.

6. Provide ministers with drinking water in pulpit.

7. Get the speakers from the deacons closet and set them up in the parlor.

8. Put out the three silver pieces on the communion table and offering plates on rear bench.

9. Make sure Friendship pads with sharpened pencils are in the pews.

10. Get the bulletins from the office and read to see what is going on in the service. Place bulletins on rear bench and on the steps going up to the balcony.

11. Fill baptismal font with warm water if required.

12. Get the children's bulletins from the Sunday school office and put on sanctuary foyer table. Copy if necessary.

13. Post the hymn numbers.

14. Set up the tape recorder (Refer to Audiotape Recording Procedure).

15. Review building evacuation responsibilities (Refer to Fire Evacuation Procedure).

16. Greet congregants as they arrive, pass out bulletins, and assist with seating as required.

18. Ring the bell three times after the prelude is completed. Then start the tape recorder.

19. After the children are dismissed to church school, shut rear sanctuary doors. Set out cookies and juice as needed.

20. During the sermon count all in attendance including children, ministers, choir and deacons.

20. Take the offering. Remember balcony and choir. Bring offering to the office after the offertory prayer.

21. TAKE CARE OF THE OFFERING. Separate checks, envelopes and cash. Two deacons count the cash; fill out both halves of the cash sheet, sign, date, and tear in half. Put one half in the offering bag along with the offering, the other in the Finance Committee chair's box. Deposit offering bag in safe. Record attendance on the sheet on the desk. Return offering plates to rear bench for the next service.

22. Open sanctuary doors when postlude begins.

23. Collect earplugs for the sound system, if you gave them out.

24. Rewind audiotape, date, and place in ministers box. Leave power on.

25. Check to see if second service ushers are present. If not, recruit another sitting deacon who may be attending the service, a retired deacon, or even yourself to work the second service.

2. After the first service ends, tidy pews by picking up discarded bulletins, paper, and communion cups etc.

3. Read bulletin to see what is going on in the service.

4. Review building evacuation responsibilities (Refer to Fire Evacuation Procedure).

5. Greet congregants as they arrive, pass out bulletins, and assist with seating as required.

6. When prelude begins, shut sanctuary side door.

7. Ring the bell three times after the prelude is completed.

8. Shut rear sanctuary doors after the opening hymn or when all appears to settle down.

9. During the sermon count all in attendance including children, ministers, and deacons, but not choir.

10. Take the offering. Remember the balcony. Bring offering to the office after the offertory prayer.

11. TAKE CARE OF THE OFFERING. Separate checks, envelopes and cash. Two deacons count the cash; fill out both halves of the cash sheet, sign, date, and tear in half. Put one half in the offering bag along with the offering, the other in the Finance Committee chair's box. Deposit offering bag in safe. Record attendance on the sheet on the desk.

12. Open sanctuary doors when postlude begins.

13. Put silver pieces and offering plates back in closet.

14. Take down the hymn numbers.

15. Remove remaining water from pulpit and font. Unplug the baby monitor receiver in the pulpit.

16. Clean sanctuary and foyer of all refuse, remove used bulletins and recycle. Take unused bulletins and place on the shelf by the parking lot door. Keep 3-4 weeks worth of back issues.

17. Tear off sheets from Friendship pads and place on office desk.

18. Close storms, windows and shutters. Turn off the lights and shut sanctuary doors.

19. Shut off sanctuary foyer heaters if they are on.

20. Clean up coffee and children's snack area.

21. Remove speakers from the parlor. Put them away in their box in the deacons closet.

22. Turn off power on tape recorder and lock closet. Insure audiotape has been removed. Collect and put away earplugs.

23. Flowers will be taken by giver if there is a note under them. They can otherwise be taken to a shut-in or someone who is ill. Ask ministers if they know of anyone who would appreciate them. Leave good vases at the church and use inexpensive vases or paper ones in closet next to deacon's closet.

24. TURN OFF ALL LIGHTS AND LOCK ALL DOORS, including the deacon's closet and all exterior doors.