O come, let us worship before the Lord, our Maker! - Psalm 95:6

Transcription

1 Acolyte Handbook O come, let us worship before the Lord, our Maker! - Psalm 95:6

2 Acolytes are important servants. They are young people who help lead worship by lighting candles, serving during communion, and participating in the worship service. All worshippers are encouraged to find a way to serve in worship, and serving as an acolyte is a great way to serve God and to serve our congregation. Let this guidebook help answer some of your questions about serving as an acolyte and always ask an adult if you have any questions. If you have questions about being an acolyte, please ask one of the pastors, Karen Skarda or Mary Ellen Helms.

3 Learn more about being an acolyte Who? Youth use their gifts to bring the light of Christ into worship and help prepare, lead, and assist in worship. What? Acolytes serve in worship by lighting candles, praying, participating, and helping during different parts of the service. When? At Prince of Peace, we have multiple service times 5pm, 8:45 am, and 11am year round. Acolytes should arrive 15 minutes early.

4 Where? The important places that an acolyte knows are the following: The sacristy this is the special room where many of the important items we use in worship are kept. There you will find albs (robes), lighters, candles, and the elements used in communion. The chancel this is the area of the sanctuary that is raised by a step. You will spend most of your time as an acolyte in this area. The office this is where you should go to meet the pastors before the service. Why? Helping during worship is a way that we can serve God and serve our congregation. We show reverence to God while leading others.

5 How? Follow these step by step instructions: 1. Arrive to POP at least 15 minutes before your service. Head to the sacristy and find an alb (a robe) that fits and a candle lighter (Make sure it works). Check in with one of the pastors to let them know you ve arrived. 2. Pray with the worship team and then head into the service. Light the candles. Always carry the candle with the snuffer (the bell part) on top to keep you safe and to keep the flame lit. Place the candle lighter in the holder after you push the wick up slightly after extinguishing it. This makes sure the wax doesn t stick in the candle lighter. Sit on the side by the lectern. 3. During worship, participate! Listen along, sing, pray, and lead others. 4. After the passing of the peace, come to the front and pick up the offering plates from the lectern shelf. Present them to the ushers when they get to the chancel area. 5. After the offering is collected, proceed to the front of the chancel with the assisting minister to receive the offering plates. Pause and lift them towards the cross as a sign of reverence before walking up the steps. Place the offering plates back on the shelf of the lectern. 6. During communion, hold the grape juice/gluten free wafer tray and help others to distribute as needed. Say Blood of Christ shed for you as people receive communion from you. Take communion with the pastors and the assisting ministers after communion. 7. After the benediction has been said after the closing hymn, you may put out the candle(s). Carry the lighter out the back door by the music room to the sacristy.

6 Helpful Hints: Eat a small meal, get a drink, and use the restroom before the service. Carry the candle lighter with the bell on the top Participate during the service: sing the hymns, pray the prayers, follow along in your bulletin, and listen. Dancing to praise God is awesome...but keep your other movements to a minimum to not distract from the focus of worship Don t chew gum. Don t wear graphic t-shirts or bold patterns that will show through your alb. If you need to, turn your shirt inside out so the writing doesn t show. ALWAYS REMEMBER, ADULTS ARE ABLE TO HELP IF YOU FORGET WHAT YOU NEED TO DO OR HAVE QUESTIONS. Thank you for serving in this important ministry at Prince of Peace.

7 Words an Acolyte Should Know Acolyte means companion or one who helps. An acolyte brings the symbolic light of Christ into the worship service. Once the acolyte brings the light, the worship service may begin. Alb is a white robe that is worn with a cincture around the waist, symbolizing the robe of righteousness. Altar is the table at the front of the church that holds the communion elements. An altar is a visual reminder of Old Testament sacrifice and of Christ s sacrifice on the cross. Candle lighter is used by an acolyte to light candles. It consists of a taper, or wick, from which the candles are lighted and a bell for snuffing out the flame. Candles signify the presence of Christ among His people. Because God created light and Jesus said, I am the light of the world, candles are an important part of the Christian service. Chancel is the elevated area in the sanctuary where the Pastor leads the worship service. The altar is in/on the chancel. Credence Table is a separate table used for the bread and wine of Holy Communion and for the offering when the altar is a stand-alone table. At Peace With Christ, the trays the acolytes will use to collect the individual cups are placed here. Eucharist is a Greek word meaning thanksgiving. It is another word for Holy Communion or the Lord s Supper. Intinction is the dipping of the bread into the wine at Holy Communion. Narthex is the gathering/entrance area outside of the sanctuary. Offering is taken at a time in the service when the members of a church offer their gifts to God. Historically, it was a time when people would bring the communion elements forward to the altar and also food and goods to later be distributed to the needy and the Pastor. Prelude is the music played before the worship service begins. During this music, the acolyte will light the candles. Reverence the Cross bowing while saying a short prayer or pausing momentarily in respect for the Cross of Christ. This can be done in many places throughout the service but is always done when approaching and leaving the chancel/altar area. Sacraments are the means by which we receive God s grace. These sacraments use earthly elements and God s Word to bring His forgiveness and blessing. The Lutheran sacraments are Baptism (water) and Holy Communion (wine and bread). They were directed by Christ for us to Go, Baptize and Do this in remembrance of me. Sacristy is the room where the participants in the service prepare and get robed up. Taper is the long stem or wick in a candle lighter, which the acolyte uses to light the candles. Vestments is the general name for clothing worn by those who participate in the worship service.

8 Please sign up to Acolyte at least once per quarter (every 3 months). Sign up online: 1) Go to Popluther.org 2) Click on Member Quick Links 3) Click on Serve in Worship Thank you for your service!