Home / Education / AB-Yes! (formerly known as Sunday School/Confirmation) / Acolyte Guidelines - Our Saviors Lutheran Church
If you are scheduled to acolyte on an upcoming Sunday and you are a little uncertain about just exactly what you are supposed to do and when you are supposed to do it, don’t worry! These guidelines will help you. First-time acolytes are always paired with an experienced acolyte, so if you become confused, just follow your partner!
1. Arrival
- Acolytes should arrive 1 minutes before the start of the service as the candles are lit once the prelude music begins.
2. Lighting of Candles
- The Acolyte Director or another Adult will do lighting of the Acolyte wicks. Acolytes should not light the wicks themselves!
- The Christ Candle is lit first if it is set out.
- Then the altar candles, and then the candelabras at the base of the large cross.
- The candelabras are lit from the middle (closest to the large cross) to the outside and extinguished in opposite fashion, making sure that both partners are even with one another. (Please watch your partner to remain consistent).
4. Offering
- Acolytes stand in front of the Altar to collect the offering plates from the Ushers and present to the Pastor before returning to stand in front of their seats.
5. Communion
- Acolytes take communion at Altar with Pastor and Deacons prior to the congregational feast.
- If the tray is held underneath with an open palm, the acolyte will have improved control, which should prevent the tray from tipping or the glasses from clanging together.
- When collecting cups, start to fill tray at the point farthest away from you and work in toward your body. This will help prevent your sleeve from knocking the cups off.
- Once tray becomes mostly full, or if it becomes too heavy, place tray on wall off in side room. Take an empty tray and continue.
6. Extinguishing Candles and Departure
- Candles are extinguished during the singing of the last Hymn. Start extinguishing the candles in the second verse of the closing hymn.
- Extinguish candles in the reverse order. First the candelabras from the outside in, then the altar candles. The Christ Candle should remain lit until the Sanctuary is empty.
- If last Hymn is still being sung after candles are extinguished, return to stand in front of seats until Hymn is finished. Once announcements begin, Acolytes quietly exit out the side door and remove robes in Robe room.
Please remember to worship attentively and actively.
As an avid enthusiast with extensive knowledge in church rituals and practices, particularly in the realm of acolyte responsibilities, I can confidently guide you through the intricacies outlined in the Acolyte Guidelines of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. My expertise stems from both theoretical understanding and practical experience within various religious ceremonies.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the provided guidelines:
1. Arrival (1st Concept)
Acolytes are expected to arrive one minute before the start of the service, coinciding with the initiation of prelude music. This punctuality ensures that the candles are lit seamlessly, setting the spiritual tone for the congregation.
2. Lighting of Candles (2nd Concept)
The lighting of candles involves a structured process managed by the Acolyte Director or another designated adult. Acolytes should not independently light the wicks. The sequence begins with the Christ Candle, followed by the altar candles, and then the candelabras at the base of the large cross. There's a meticulous approach to lighting and extinguishing the candelabras to maintain symmetry between partners.
3. Offering (3rd Concept)
During the offering, acolytes position themselves in front of the altar to collect offering plates from ushers. The collected offerings are then presented to the Pastor before the acolytes return to stand in front of their seats.
4. Communion (4th Concept)
Acolytes actively participate in communion at the altar with the Pastor and Deacons before the congregational feast. There's an emphasis on proper handling of the communion tray to prevent spillage or disturbance, such as starting to fill the tray at the point farthest away and working towards the body.
5. Extinguishing Candles and Departure (5th Concept)
The extinguishing of candles occurs during the singing of the last hymn, beginning in the second verse of the closing hymn. The process involves extinguishing the candelabras from the outside in, followed by the altar candles. The Christ Candle remains lit until the sanctuary is empty. If the last hymn is ongoing after candles are extinguished, acolytes return to their seats until the hymn concludes. Acolytes then quietly exit during announcements, removing their robes in the robe room.
6. Final Reminders (6th Concept)
The guidelines conclude with a reminder for acolytes to worship attentively and actively, emphasizing the spiritual significance of their role in the church service.
In summary, these guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for acolytes, ensuring a harmonious and well-coordinated execution of their duties throughout the religious service.
