ELEMENTS OF A CHRIST-CENTERED SACRAMENT MEETING “Every Sacrament Meeting ought to be a spiritual feast. It ought to be a time for meditation and introspection, a time for singing songs of praise to the Lord, at time of renewing one’s covenants with him and our Eternal Father, and a time for hearing the word of the Lord with reverence and appreciation.” Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Conference Report, October 1982.
And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High; (D&C 59: 9-10) Members come to sacrament meeting seeking for a spiritual experience. A well-planned and organized meeting, which features inspiring music, speakers who build faith and inspire, and an orderly administered sacrament, can nourish a wounded soul. Let us visualize what the ideal sacrament meeting is like. Greeters welcome members and visitors at the door. Ushers help members find seating. Prelude music sweet and soothing is played by the pianist. Members of the bishopric and priesthood bearers administering the sacrament are all seated at the stand including participants. With background music, members meditate to prepare themselves for the sacrament. Conducting officer conducts properly and smiles to establish a warm connection with the congregation. He makes only brief announcements of the most significant activities. After which he announces the opening hymn, the person giving the opening prayer, chorister leading the singing and the pianist.
Opening hymn is sung with purpose and chorister leads the singing and the pianist plays the piano with feeling. The opening prayer is brief but heartfelt expressing the collective sentiment of the congregation. Ward business is conducted efficiently by a member of the bishopric such as sustaining members to new callings and releasing members from callings, confirmations, naming and blessing of children, ordinations, etc. Members sing sacrament hymn worshipfully to prepare in receiving the sacrament with broken hearts and contrite spirits in remembrance of Lord’s atoning sacrifice. Priesthood holders bless and pass the sacrament in an orderly manner. Members partake of the sacrament with solemnity. Speakers teach doctrines, gospel truths and principles. Their messages inspire and build faith among members.
Sacrament Meeting
Special musical number in solos, duets, trios, quartets, families, choir, to uplift and edify. Inspiring music permeates the sacrament service. Members feel the music touch their very heartstrings. Concluding speaker speaks with power and authority on a gospel topic that instructs and edifies. Members feel the significance of his message and commits to apply the principles to their daily life. Closing hymn is sung with cheerful hearts and closing prayer is offered to express gratitude for a spiritually uplifting meeting. Postlude music is played briefly while members remain quietly seated and the bishopric remains at the stand until the instrumental music is over.
What are the elements that should be taught to achieve a high quality sacrament service? Let’s go through the sacrament meeting one step at a time.
Prior to the sacrament meeting ensure that chapel is clean and ready. Arrange chairs properly. Make sure there is adequate lighting and temperature levels are comfortable. Check overhead and stand fans to ensure they are working. Test if the sound system is operating properly. Check that the restrooms are clean and tissue paper is available. See to it that Aaronic Priesthood bearers have prepared the sacrament emblems well ahead of time and hymnbooks distributed throughout the chapel. Assign greeters and ushers to greet members at the door as they pass a printed program (although this is optional). Train ushers to assist members find seating and have them occupy the seats in the front pews first before filling the chairs at the back. Reserve back row chairs for members who might come in late. Teach ushers to watch out for empty seats and lead late comers to these seats. Consider calling fellowshippers whose job is to sit with new members and visitors to respond to their needs. In this way our guests will feel welcome not alienated. You might also wish to designate special seating for visitors. Bishopric and priesthood bearers assigned to administer the sacrament are all properly attired. Barong Tagalog, polo barong, long or short sleeves white shirt and tie are preferred. At the very least, a plain colored polo shirt with a tie is acceptable. Be seated at the stand five minutes before the meeting begins. Invite all meeting participants to sit at the stand. If this is not possible, then they should at least stay close to the stand. Prelude music is played five minutes before the meeting begins and only when the bishopric is already seated. Once the pianist plays the prelude music, teach members to terminate fellowshipping and other interactions in the sacrament hall. Encourage them to be quiet and use the time to meditate on the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. Have the pianist conduct rehearsals at home, or at some other time and place in the chapel. Discourage the pianist against rehearsing at the sacrament hall prior to the meeting. I discovered that people surprisingly respond to a singing choir better versus instrumental piece as prelude music. The choir does not have to sing four part voices in order to produce this effect. Even hymns sang in their traditional melodies will do the job. Try it. You will be surprise that this is true. Conducting officer must look at the audience to establish eye contact and avoid reading the program as much as possible. He must know proper conducting procedures otherwise mistakes he commits become distractions. Conducting officer must rehearse conducting procedures with a coach. Only very important announcements are presented briefly so as Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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Sacrament Meeting
not to detract from the spirit of the meeting. Post other announcements in the bulletin board or relayed in their respective auxiliaries. Bishopric must be familiar with the procedures of conducting ward business as prescribed in the handbook. Have all bishopric members rehearse conducting procedures often. Hymns are sung with vigor and Music Director leads the singing enthusiastically since this is contagious and adds to the spirit of the singing. The purpose of the chorister is to lead the congregation in singing and members ought to look at her occasionally. Teach that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto God. Pianist must play flawlessly and with every feeling of the heart. Sometimes we do not know the hymns correctly. Use combined meetings with adults and youth to teach proper singing. Prayers should be simple and concise lasting no more than two minutes. Teach to avoid wordiness and vain repetitions. Reverent attitude and behavior is the sacred duty of every member attending the sacrament meeting. Teach that once sacrament meeting has commenced, children should be seated with their parents, cell phones have been turned off, conversations are completed, and total silence observed. We should strive to duplicate the solemnity in the temple. Minimize, if not totally eliminate, going in and out of the service while the meeting is ongoing. Sacrament is administered efficiently. Challenge the brethren, especially young men, to memorize the sacrament prayer. If it is read, it should be read with feeling of supplication. Teach how to pass the sacrament in an orderly manner. This should be rehearsed. Teach members to think of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and their covenants while partaking of the sacrament.
“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord. Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end. ” The First Presidency, Hymns.
Music is the language of the soul and you will be wise to exert every effort to have a musical rendition every Sunday no matter how simple. Solos, duets, trios, quartets, double duets, etc. children, youth, single adults, adults, men, women, mothers and daughters, men and fathers, returned missionaries, quorums, auxiliaries, families featuring music from the hymn book and Primary songs are guaranteed to enhance the spirit of the service. If you are looking for a way to improve your sacrament meeting immensely, musical rendition in any form is the key. Do not ever hold sacrament meeting without it! Speakers teach the doctrines of the gospel, inspire by sharing faith-promoting experiences, and build faith by testifying of divinely revealed truths. Hold at least an annual speaking workshop teaching members how to prepare and organize talks. Emphasize time limits and what is appropriate to say in sacrament talks and in sharing testimonies. Nothing distracts more than an aimless speech and speakers who dwell on controversial and speculative topics. Start and end on time within the 70-minute allocation. Proper planning and execution will ensure this. Short postlude music is played after the benediction. One or two verses from a favorite hymn will suffice. Bishopric remains at the stand and members stay seated until the last note is played. Teach members to stand up quietly and proceed outside of the sacrament hall in an orderly manner. Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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Here is a proposed script that approximates proper conducting as I know it. If you are a beginner, I encourage you to memorize it. Once you already know the fundamentals, you can easily adopt your own style but the basics must remain. If possible, refrain from reading the program. If you must read, you should occasionally look at your audience.
Sacrament Meeting Conducting I. I welcome you to the sacrament meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, __________________ ward of the ____________________________ stake. Presiding over this meeting is __________________________. I am, ___________________, conducting this meeting under his direction. [If you have visitors from the stake: I would also like to acknowledge the presence of our stake high councilor, _____________________________. Members of the stake presidency preside when they are present.] I would like to make the following announcements…. [Be brief and concise]. Our opening hymn is hymn number ________________________________________. After we sing the hymn, ______________________________, will offer the invocation. Our chorister is _________________ and our pianist is ________________________________. (Optional) II. I would now like to turn over the time to ____________________________ for our ward business. (Read Church Handbook of Instruction for proper procedures. Be familiar with all church business.) Let us now prepare to partake of the sacrament by singing hymn number _______________________________________. The sacrament will then be administered by our priesthood holders. III. Thank you very much for the reverence you have shown during the administration of the sacrament. Our first speaker is __________________________________________. Then s/he will be followed by __________________________________. After they have spoken, we will sing hymn number _______ as our intermediate hymn ___________________________. (Or After our speakers, we shall hear a special musical number by _____________ entitled _______________________). IV. Before I give you our concluding speaker, I wish to express our appreciation to everyone who has helped us in today’s sacrament worship service. To those who said the prayers, the brethren who administered the sacrament, our speakers, our chorister, and our pianist. (We would like to thank _____________ for the special musical number). Optional. Our concluding speaker is _________________________. After his talk, we will sing hymn number ___________________________________ as our closing hymn. The closing prayer will be offered by ____________________________. (After the prayer, the pianist will play a postlude music. We invite you to remain seated until it is over.) Optional Let us now hear from ____________________________. [Rehearse a sample sacrament agenda in the pulpit. Have someone observe and critique you. You will experience dramatic improvement] Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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Sacrament Meeting
(Filipino version)
I. Malugod ko po kayong binabati ng Magandang Umaga sa Pulong Sakramento ng The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, _________________________ward ____________________________________ stake. And namumuno sa ating pagpupulong ay si _________________________________. Ako naman po naman si __________________________ ang inyong tagapag-padaloy. Nais naming ipaabot sa inyong mga kaalaman……………… Ang ating pambungad na awitin ay matatagpuan sa pahina ______, na pinamagatang _____________________________. At ang pambungad na panalangin ay ipagkaloob sa atin ni __________________________________________________. Si _______________ ang mamumuno sa ating pag-awit at sasabayan naman po tayo ni ____________ sa tugtog ng piano. II. Ibibinibagay ko po ngayon ang pagkakataon kay ____________________ para sa mga mahahalagang gawaing simbahan. Ang ating awitin bilang paghahanda sa pagtanggap ng Sakramento ay _____, __________________________________. Pagkatapos po ng ating pag-awit ay babasbasan at pangangasiwaan ang Sakramento ng mga saserdote. III. Maraming salamat po sa inyong ipinamalas na katahimikan habang pinangasiwaan ang Sakramento. Ang mga tagapag-salita po natin ay pangungunahan ni ____________________________________________. Pagkatapos niya, susundan po naman siya ni _____________________________________________________. Pagkatapos po nilang mag-salita, aawitin po natin ang ____________________________________ sa pahina _________. (O di kaya Pagkatapos po nilang mag-salita, ipagkaloob po sa atin ng (ni) __________________ ang isang magandang awitin.) IV. Bago ko po ibigay sa inyo ang ating Pangwakas na Tagapagsalita, nais ko pong pasasalamatan ang lahat ng tumulong upang maging matagumpay ang pagpupulong natin sa araw na ito. Sa mga nagbigay ng dasal. Ang namuno sa ating pagawit at ang tagatugtog nang piano. Pinaabot rin namin ang pasalamat sa mga saserdote na nangasiwa sa Sakramento. Ang ating Pangwakas na Tagapagsalita ay si _________________________. Pagkatapos po niya, ang ating pangwakas na awitin ay matatagpuan sa _________, ______________________________. At ang pangwakas na panalangin at ibibigay ni ____________________________. Pagkatapos ng panalangin, tutugtog sa kahuhulihang pagkakataon an ating pianista. Hintayin po nating matapos bago po tayo magsi-tayo. Bigyan-daan na natin ngayon si ____________________________. (Kung maari lamang sauluhin ito sa umpisa. Mag ensayo mismo sa pulpito hanggang nakabisado. Humingi ng tulong upang may taga-pagmasid habang kayo ay nag eensayo. Tandaan na dapat kang nakatingin sa mga tao pag nagsasalita. Kung kailangan magbasa, titingin ka pa rin sa mga tao paminsan-minsaan. Mararanasan nyo ang malaking pagbabago.)
Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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Sacrament Meeting
SACRAMENT MEETING CHECKLIST Yes
No
Comments/Required Action
Planning & Direction We prayerfully plan every sacrament service We have written program & agenda at least a week in advance We discuss with the ward council how to improve sacrament meeting We regularly evaluate the quality of our sacrament meeting
[] [] [] []
[] [] [] []
____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
Physical Arrangements The chapel is clean and ready for sacrament meeting The sound system is operating properly Lighting is adequate and temperature levels are comfortable We have assigned greeters and ushers The rest rooms are clean and ready
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
Integration & Focus We have appropriate themes that integrate music, messages, and worship [ ] We consider how sacrament service can meet the needs of the members [ ] We utilize sacrament service to instruct, edify, and heal the spirit []
[] [] []
____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
Inspiring Music There is a trained music personnel in the ward Hymns are carefully chosen by pianist and chorister in advance We have a musical number in every sacrament service We have a prelude and postlude music We have a program for teaching members new music and proper singing The pianist rehearses in advance and accompanies hymns competently We have worshipful recorded music (in place of a pianist) We have adequate number of hymnbooks
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] []
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
Gospel-Centered Messages Speakers teach doctrines and are assigned well in advance Topics are carefully chosen to focus on gospel principles We have a public speaking workshop for all members Speakers speak within the allocated time and avoid inappropriate topics
[] [] [] []
[] [] [] []
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
Proper Conducting The bishopric knows how to properly conduct sacrament meeting The bishopric conducts ward business properly The bishopric and conducting officer are properly attired
[] [] []
[] [] []
____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________
Reverential Atmosphere Members observe reverence during sacrament meeting Members are taught to meditate during prelude and postlude music Priesthood holders bless and pass the sacrament properly Priesthood holders wear appropriate attire
[] [] [] []
[] [] [] []
____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________
Right Timing Prelude music is played five minutes before start time (or choir sings) [] Bishopric and other participants seated at the stand 5 minutes before start [ ] Sacrament meeting starts-end on time within the 70-minute allocation []
[] [] []
___________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________
Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”
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