“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10
They are normally the first individuals you meet when visiting a church; the ones who greet you with a smile, welcome you to the sanctuary and escort you to your seat. Often the ministry of ushering takes a back seat to the ministry of preaching, teaching, singing and praying.
The ushers’ ministry is a vital part of the church’s overall ministry. Ushers try to ensure you are comfortable when coming to the house of God. While we are sitting and enjoying the services, they spend the majority of their time standing and attending to the needs of the congregants.
These ushers, doorkeepers or greeters are like police officers who keep watch over a city. They keep watch over the sanctuary. They are positioned all around the sanctuary and sometimes outside it to make sure everything runs smoothly.
These servants in the house of the Lord are not being paid. They do what they do because of the love they have for God and His house.
Liberty County has some very faithful and dedicated ushers who take their posts, not only on Sunday mornings, but during other services at their churches. Some even usher at other churches and programs in the community.
Ushers Deloris “Dee” Frasier, Mary Alice Cormier and Clara Roberts readily volunteer for funerals and other programs. Although they are members of Pleasant Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, they can be counted upon to be of assistance whenever needed.
“I enjoy ushering, and I love assisting wherever needed,” Frasier said.
Some ushers in the county have proudly served in the ministry for 20, 25, 40 and even 50 years. They include faithful ushers such as Ethel Chambers of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Ona Mae Perry of Bethel AME, Della Martin of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist, Charlie Moore of St. Luke Missionary Baptist, Navie Holmes of First African Baptist, Eloise Robinson of First Zion Baptist, Ann Pray of Baconton Missionary Baptist and Catherine Davis and Shirley Frasier of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist.
They are so regular fixtures that when you visit their churches, you expect to see them at their posts. They make the pastor’s job just a little easier.
Emma Brown of First Calvary Missionary Baptist, not only serves as an usher in her church, but conducts workshops for other ushers. She serves at the first district level of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia. With a pleasant disposition and willingness to serve, she is an example of the doorkeeper the psalmist spoke about in the scripture.
There are ushers who work together during the week and then turn around and usher together on Sunday. Delieth Wright, Dorothy Wright, and Patricia Wright are educators with the Fort Stewart School System. They have worked together for many years, both in the workplace and in their church, Trinity Missionary Baptist Temple. In addition to serving as ushers, they also sing in the choir.
Catherine Davis of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church said she has been ushering over 50 years.
“I started ushering when I was 9 years old,” she said. “I love being an usher.”
This Sunday and every Sunday, remember to make the usher’s job a little less stressful. Be kind and considerate and let them know they are appreciated.
They are normally the first individuals you meet when visiting a church; the ones who greet you with a smile, welcome you to the sanctuary and escort you to your seat. Often the ministry of ushering takes a back seat to the ministry of preaching, teaching, singing and praying.
The ushers’ ministry is a vital part of the church’s overall ministry. Ushers try to ensure you are comfortable when coming to the house of God. While we are sitting and enjoying the services, they spend the majority of their time standing and attending to the needs of the congregants.
These ushers, doorkeepers or greeters are like police officers who keep watch over a city. They keep watch over the sanctuary. They are positioned all around the sanctuary and sometimes outside it to make sure everything runs smoothly.
These servants in the house of the Lord are not being paid. They do what they do because of the love they have for God and His house.
Liberty County has some very faithful and dedicated ushers who take their posts, not only on Sunday mornings, but during other services at their churches. Some even usher at other churches and programs in the community.
Ushers Deloris “Dee” Frasier, Mary Alice Cormier and Clara Roberts readily volunteer for funerals and other programs. Although they are members of Pleasant Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, they can be counted upon to be of assistance whenever needed.
“I enjoy ushering, and I love assisting wherever needed,” Frasier said.
Some ushers in the county have proudly served in the ministry for 20, 25, 40 and even 50 years. They include faithful ushers such as Ethel Chambers of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Ona Mae Perry of Bethel AME, Della Martin of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist, Charlie Moore of St. Luke Missionary Baptist, Navie Holmes of First African Baptist, Eloise Robinson of First Zion Baptist, Ann Pray of Baconton Missionary Baptist and Catherine Davis and Shirley Frasier of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist.
They are so regular fixtures that when you visit their churches, you expect to see them at their posts. They make the pastor’s job just a little easier.
Emma Brown of First Calvary Missionary Baptist, not only serves as an usher in her church, but conducts workshops for other ushers. She serves at the first district level of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia. With a pleasant disposition and willingness to serve, she is an example of the doorkeeper the psalmist spoke about in the scripture.
There are ushers who work together during the week and then turn around and usher together on Sunday. Delieth Wright, Dorothy Wright, and Patricia Wright are educators with the Fort Stewart School System. They have worked together for many years, both in the workplace and in their church, Trinity Missionary Baptist Temple. In addition to serving as ushers, they also sing in the choir.
Catherine Davis of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church said she has been ushering over 50 years.
“I started ushering when I was 9 years old,” she said. “I love being an usher.”
This Sunday and every Sunday, remember to make the usher’s job a little less stressful. Be kind and considerate and let them know they are appreciated.