Hello all, I have to do a reading at my sisters wedding next week and had the practice run tonight. This is a real challenge for me and I want to do well for my sister. I am generally nervous in such situations and during the practice run was very tense and found breathing and being natural difficult. I am thinking that when the full congregation is there and everything I will be a complete wreck!! Please Please Please has anyone any helpful tips on reading/speaking in public, how to relax and reduce nervousness!! Thanks

One word: Scotch.

Hehe, works every time for me. But, in all seriousness, I have found that the more I practice the better I feel when it comes time to give a speech in public. So, my suggestion is just to practice several more times, and I think you'll probably begin feeling better.

Hold a small object in your hand to channel your nervous energy.
Pick 3 points throughout the room and focus on them alternately.
Give value. Base your speech on 2 or 3 main points. Your audience will not remember every little detail you tell them. They'll be satisfied if they leave with something they can use, and that is what public speaking is all about.
Relax. Don't pressure yourself to be perfect. Your audience doesn't expect you to be. They want you to succeed just as much as you do. Release nervousness by shooting down all your anxious thoughts. If you're thinking you'll forget everything, remind yourself that you are prepared and knowledgeable. Visualize yourself doing well.
Know your audience. Tailor your message for the group you are speaking to. Depends on the audience and topic, a sense of humor can be a plus.

The last, SMILE, like this :)

What will you be reading? How long is it? (The time will go by like magic when you read at the wedding.)

Be very familiar with what you are going to read.

Remember, you are doing this to enhance your sister's wedding. You are bringing delight and joy into everyone's life. People will be eager to hear this. Speak slowly and with color in your voice. Sound interesting. Look happy (yaaaaaaayy, sissy's getting married!! ).

If all else fails, imagine the congregation dressed only in their underwear.

I used I Cor. 13 in my wedding too. It's a beautiful passage.

I'll betcha most people in the congregation are very familiar with it, so when you look up at them, you will see smiles and people moving their lips along with you.