What Do Acolytes Do?

Acolytes are the Pastor’s helper during the course of the church service. They help the congregation by setting an example of what people are to be doing during the church service and also help to prepare the church for different parts of the service. It is a very important service that you do for the church. It is a high honor to serve as an acolyte at the Lord’s altar. But also remember, everyone wants you to do well and no one is looking for a mistake. We’re all glad you’re serving the Lord, so there’s nothing to be nervous about.

Set an Example by your conduct in the worship service

Because of their position in front of the congregation, people will look at the acolyte and get judge what they are supposed to be doing during the service. Therefore, it is very important that the acolytes follow along with the service and set an example of Christian worship. That means: (1) be on the proper page of the hymnal or the service folder; (2) speak or sing when the congregation is supposed to speak or sing; (3) stand, sit or kneel at the proper time too.

Set an Example by the way you dress

You don’t need to be rich or wear expensive clothes. That is why we wear robes. But it is important that you are clean (especially your hands and fingernails) and you wear the most presentable shoes you have. Please make sure that your hair is neat and clean as well. Please keep jewelry, especially piercings, at home.

Finding and Putting on Your Robe (called an Alb)

The acolyte albs are located in the vestry (the room behind the altar) and are hung in order of size. The label in the robe tells what robe you should wear based on how tall you are. The Pastor, the acolyte captain or your acolyte partner will help you put it on properly. It’s easy, but takes too much time to describe in writing. The rope you wear around your waist is called a cincture, you need one of these as well. This helps to keep your alb closed and helps adjust the size as well. The Pastor will help you with this as well.

Proper Postures

Remember the word Dignity, that’s a word that means class, poise and grace. An acolyte is an important person and needs to serve the Lord and the congregation with dignity.

	When kneeling, keep both knees on the kneeling pad. Keep your back straight (be careful not to stick out your posterior), and your head bowed. If your hands are empty they should be folded
	When walking, walk slowly with your head raised. If you are carrying the cross or a candle it is important to keep them straight up and down. If your hands are empty keep your hands folded above your waist.
	When bowing, bow your head and shoulders slowly. It is not necessary to bow from the waist. It looks bad if you bow too quickly. *Bow only when you pass in front of the altar or as you enter or leave the chancel (altar area).* Bowing shows respect for the Word and Sacraments where God is present. Do not bow to the crucifix, Pastor or ushers.
	Your hands should either be holding something or folded. Be careful not to scratch too much or put your hands or fingers in inappropriate places. Remember, everyone can see you.

Making the sign of the cross.

You make the sign of the cross anytime the Pastor says, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” or when you see a cross (+) in the bulletin or hymnal. You may make the sign of the cross at other times if you choose to, but these are the times when you should.

This is an ancient symbol that has been done in the church since at least the second century. Some people think that it comes from the time of the apostles. In the Small Catechism Martin Luther tells us that it is something we should do at the beginning and end of each day. It’s a symbol that helps us to remember we are God’s children because we are baptized, “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

To make the sign of the cross, with your right hand: (1) touch your forehead, (2) then your stomach, (3) then your left shoulder, (4) then your right shoulder, (5) then the center of your chest over your heart. This should be done prayerfully and not too fast.

Lighting the Candles

This is a big part of your job as an acolyte. Ten to fifteen minutes before the start of the service the acolyte lights the candles. Candles on the altar (only there for communion services) are lit first. Then the sets of candles closest to the crucifix are lit, then the candelabras. Use the illustration to help you light them in the proper order. They are extinguished in the opposite order following the service.

Special Candles

The Advent Wreath. During Advent (the church season before Christmas), An advent wreath with four candles is placed in the chancel. The advent candles are lit (one for each week of advent that has passed) during the speaking of the INTROIT. The Pink candle represents the third Sunday in Advent and is not lit until then.

The Paschal Candle. Is given special markings and is lit for the first time during the Easter Vigil service. It is lit each Sunday following the Easter vigil and is extinguished during the reading of the Ascension Day Gospel reading. It is then placed near the baptismal font and is lit for services in which there’s a baptism and for funerals.

Aisle Candles. These are the candles sitting on the pew stands. They are in place for weddings, during the Christmas Season and for other festivals. Two acolytes light these after the altar candles have been lit starting from the front of the church and moving toward the rear.

Duties on a Typical Sunday

Show-up twenty minutes before the start of the service. Go to the vestry (behind the altar) through the side door (not through the chancel) and vest (get dressed) for the service.
Ten to Fifteen minutes before the start of the service, begin lighting the candles. Begin by bowing (as described above) in front of the altar. You do not need to bow again until you leave the chancel. After all of the candles are lit, return to the vestry for prayer with the Pastor.
After the announcements the Pastor will say, “We prepare our hearts and minds for worship.” Come through the acolyte door in the chancel and join the Pastor in front of the altar. Bow together with the Pastor and take your seat (to the left as you face the altar). Say a prayer that the Lord will bless the service and your worship that day.
Pay attention to the Pastor. Be ready to help him if he signals to you. You are his chief helper during the service and if something is needed or goes wrong, he may ask you to help.
It is very important that the acolyte actively participate in the service. You are a model of how everyone is supposed to be worshipping. Follow along with the service paying attention to standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, staying on the proper page of the hymnal, etc. at the proper time.
During times that the congregation is asked to kneel, the acolyte should kneel at the communion rail immediately to the left (when facing the altar) of their seat.
When the Pastor announces, “We take our offering,” pick up four offering plates from the gradine (the shelf behind the altar) and bring them to the ushers (do not bow to the ushers).
If communion is being celebrated, move the communion vessels that are on the gradine onto the altar.
The Pastor may need your help distributing the individual cups during Holy Communion. Simply follow behind the Pastor holding the tray of cups.
Following the service, extinguish the candles in the opposite order that they were lit. Bow in front of the altar before leaving the chancel and exit through the acolyte door.
After carefully taking off and hanging up your alb, please exit through the side door (not through the chancel).

Special Duties

Processions In and Out

Crucifer. Before the service, bring the processional cross into the narthex. Wear gloves when handling the cross. When it is time to start the procession, the crucifer stands at the head of the procession. Hold the cross straight and tall. Don’t walk fast. Without bowing toward the altar, climb the climb the first chancel step and move to the base of the second chancel step, then turn and face the congregation (you may gently lower the cross and allow the base to rest on the ground). Stay in this position until the Pastor signals you to move the cross to the holder attached to the acolyte chair.

When processing out stand in the center of the chancel at the base of the second step until the Pastor signals that you should move (usually just before the last stanza of the hymn to depart). Lead the procession toward the narthex. Don’t walk fast. Once in the Narthex, lock the cross into its holder until the congregation is dismissed. You may return the cross (down a side aisle) to the chancel and take off your vestments once the congregation begins to leave the sanctuary. The cross represents Christ in the midst of His people.

Torchbearers. Follow the cross during the processional in and out, walking in pairs with the other torchbearer (side by side). Enter the chancel during the procession in without bowing, place the torches into the holders that sit on the second chancel step. If the torch goes out while you are walking do not stop or attempt to relight it. The torchbearers represent the church and its mission, a picture from Revelation 11:4.

Book Bearer. Follows the torches into the and out of the sanctuary. The book bearer places the lectionary on its stand on the altar and immediately returns to the acolyte row (first pew on the pulpit side).

Banner Bearers. One banner bearer follows the book bearer in, the other follows the choir (if the choir is present). The first banner turns to the left when reaching the chancel and locks the banner (facing the congregation) into its holder along the south wall of the chancel. The second banner turns right and locks the banner into its holder along the north wall. At the end of the service the Pastor will signal you to retrieve your banners in order to process out.

Gospel Procession

Gospel processions occur infrequently, but if you are an acolyte on a festival Sunday, or Christmas, be prepared to participate. After the Epistle (second reading) has been read, the processional cross and two torches are carried to the center of the chancel on the second step in front of the altar. The book bearer also takes his place preparing to walk behind the torches during the procession. At the Pastor’s signal crucifer leads the torches and book bearer halfway down the center aisle, then stops and faces the altar. The torchbearers face each other. The book bearer stands facing the Pastor, holding the book for the reading. At the conclusion of the reading, the cross, torches and book are taken in procession back to their places and the acolytes return to their seats.