Acolyte Training Manual
Learning To Read a Bulletin
Lesson No. 1
Let His light so shine...
Greetings to all acolytes who have dedicated themselves to serving their Lord and their church. Your ministry is important because you will be helping everybody else in church to worship God. You are also becoming part of a very long tradition that is more than 1700 years old! Since ancient times light and fire have reminded people that God is here with us. When you as an acolyte bring the light into the Sanctuary and light the candles, you are reminding the congregation of God's presence with us and the words of Jesus: "I am the light of the world."
In 251 A.D. Cornelius, the Bishop of Rome, sent a letter to Bishop Fabius of Antioch saying, There were 42 acolytes in Rome."Acolyte" comes from the Greek word "akolouthos" which means a follower, an attendant, one who serves, assists, or helps. The office of acolyte grew to be one of great importance and was a very respected position. By 500 A.D. it was considered so vital that it required ordination.
Modern day acolytes are best known for lighting candles on the communion table. This practice started around 800 A.D. when large candlesticks were carried by the acolytes and placed on or near the communion table.
Soon the candlesticks began to appear on the communion table itself. Because of the added height, a candle lighter was developed to reach the top of the candles. The candle lighter provided a safe and decorative container for the tapers carried in the processional.
Many people like to think of the two candles on the communion table as reminders that Jesus is both human and divine. At the end of the service as you carry the lighted candles out of the sanctuary, you are reminding the worshippers that God is with us in all places and at all times, at home, at school, and at work.
Beginning acolytes received a period of instruction from the bishop. At the ordination a candle was presented to show that the church would be in the care of the new acolyte. In later years new acolytes received an unlighted candle, a candlestick, and an empty glass vessel symbolizing the principle acolyte duties.
During this first session the acolytes will take a tour through our United Methodist hymnals. They will learn to identify the Order of Worship and how to locate various parts of the worship order in the hymnal. They will also discuss the difference between a hymn and a gospel song.
Important Worship Words:
The prescribed order observed in conducting a service, the outward form of an inward faith.
Music played at the beginning of the service
The entrance in due order of the clergy and choir at the beginning of a church service, usually a processional hymn is sung while entering.
Opening prayer when we ask God to be present
Prayer in which we confess our sin
The church's bold and enduring statement about the beliefs
A reading of Scripture from the psalms
Praises sung to God
Church members greet one another
Music played during the presentation of offering
Gifts of money are gathered
Praise sung to God after the offering is brought to the front of the Sanctuary
Prayer said before or after the offering is collected to bless it for God's work in the church, community and world
Prayer for those who are sick, for the world, and for the needs of the Church
A text from Scripture is applied to daily life
Benediction
Blessing given by the minister at the end of the church services
The retiring of the clergy and the choir. This is usually accompanied by singing of a hymn, at the close of a church service.
Music played at the end of the service
Our Christian Year and the Sacraments
Lesson No. 2
In this session future acolytes will study about the Christian seasons of the year; what they are, what they mean, and the role they play in our worship. The session will also deal with the sacraments of baptism and communion.
Yearly Seasons/Colors:
The plan of the Christian Year and the Church Calendar meets the need for an orderly outline for Christian teaching and worship. It is part of our Christian heritage, having grown out of centuries of experience and worship.
Its roots are found in Old Testament worship, as God's people commemorated His dealings with Israel by regular observance of special days and seasons. A partial following of the Christian Year is found in practically all denominations in he observance of Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and other special dates. There is a growing tendency toward recognition, of the entire calendar of the church year.
The church calendar and the plan of the Christian Year, with its seasonal hymns, Scripture readings, colors and symbols, provide a framework through which the teachings of the church can be given in an orderly and rhythmical manner, instead of being left to individual impulse.
During the year, every part of the Christian faith is given due emphasis. Every great event in the life of our Lord is brought to our remembrance, and we experience anew His birth, His ministry and teachings, His death, resurrection and ascension.
And during the seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide the gospel truths are presented from various angles for our spiritual nourishment and growth.
Advent: Includes four Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Eve. The season begins on the Sunday nearest St. Andrew's Day, November 30th, and is the beginning of the ecclesiastical year. "Advent” means a coming, a visitation, the coming of our Savior's birth. This is the first advent. The Second Advent is yet to come. It is during this season that we make preparation for the Nativity. Since it is a time of preparation and penitence the color of purple is used.
Christmastide: This season includes Christmas Day, and one or two Sundays between December 25 and January 6, designated as Sundays after Christmas Day. Since he season of Christmastide is the celebration of the birth of Christ, the color of white is used.
Epiphany: The time frame of this season is four to nine Sundays between January 6, which is Epiphany Day, and the beginning of Lent, which depends upon the date of Easter Day, designated as Sundays after Epiphany Day. This season begins on January 6, in commemoration of the manifestation of our Savior's birth to the wise men of the East, and continues until Ash Wednesday. The color white is used for Epiphany Day and through one week. Green is used for the remainder of the season to signify the growing Church and the spreading of the gospel.
Lent: This season extends begins six Sundays before Easter day. The fifth Sunday is called Passion Sunday and the sixth Sunday is called Palm Sunday. Lent is the revival season of the church. It is a time of penitence and self-denial, and of intensive cultivation of the life of the spirit. It lasts forty days, corresponding to the forty days' fast at the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. It also marks His suffering and death on the cross. The seasonal color is purple. The last two weeks of Lent are called Passiontide. The final week is also called Holy Week.
Shrove Tuesday: the day before Lent begins
Ash Wednesday: first day of Lent
Palm Sunday: Sunday before Easter when Jesus rode into Jerusalem
Maundy Thursday: the day we remember the Last Supper and Jesus' command that we love one another.
Good Friday: the day Jesus died on the cross for us
Eastertide: This is Easter Day and six other Sundays, of which the last may be called Ascension Sunday. The Easter Season covers a period of forty days, from Easter to Ascension Day. These are known as the "Great Forty Days" during which our Lord continued His earthly ministry, giving final instructions to His disciples concerning things that pertained to the Kingdom of God. The color of this season is white.
Pentecost: This season commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles' fifty days after the resurrection of Christ. It begins with Pentecost Sunday, which is the seventh Sunday after Easter Day and goes from eleven to sixteen Sundays, continuing through the next to last Sunday in August, designated as Sundays after Pentecost. The color of the season is red. Pentecost has a double meaning. It is the anniversary of our Lord's fulfilled promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is also the birthday of the Christian Church. The season lasts until the last Sunday in August.
Kingdomtide: This is the final season of the Christian year and lasts for thirteen or fourteen Sundays beginning the last Sunday in August and continuing until Advent. The color is green. It begins on the last Sunday in August with the Festival of Christ the King, and continues until Advent. This is the growing season of the Church and is a time when the social gospel is preached and the emphasis is given to the principles of the Kingdom of God.
Practical Steps in Acolyting
Lesson 3
In these final two sessions our acolytes will learn the practical steps in acolyting during worship services on Sunday morning and during special services as well.
Before the Worship Service:
Make certain to mark your calendar for the day you are to serve. Have your hair combed, hands and fingernails clean, and your shoes polished. No tennis shoes or sandals are to be worn. NEVER CHEW GUM.
The church building is the House of God and must be respected with reverence at all times. This includes even those occasions when you are rehearsing or servicing pews as well as during the worship service. So walk, do not run to your appointed tasks when indoors, and always remove hats or caps.
Remember...you are in God's House as an aid to the congregation during those times of public worship. Anything that calls undue attention to "self" in God's House is out of place. An acolyte must be careful not to distract worshipers.
After being contacted by your acolyte advisor use the restroom if necessary and then robe quietly and reverently. Review the checklist and bulletin to be aware of any changes or special services. Pray together with your advisor.
During the Worship Service:
An adult will light your candle lighter for you. Begin to go down the aisle together in a dignified, unhurried fashion. Proceed down the center aisle toward the chancel area.
Hold the candle lighter with the wick up and the bell down. Remember, if you are on the right side of the aisle, hold the candle lighter on your right side with your right hand on the handle and your left hand near the knob that adjusts the flame.
If you are on the left aisle, hold the candle lighter on your left side with your left hand on the handle. Be prepared to adjust the wick as necessary to keep the flame burning properly. If the flame goes out during the procession, your partner will relight your candle lighter or your candle at the altar if necessary. Always be aware of your partner and try to stay together as you proceed.
When you get to the chancel area, enter through the opening in the chancel railing and up the steps to stand in front of the altar. Turn slightly toward each other, turn the candle lighter over and light the candle, making sure the candle is lighted before extinguishing your candle lighter. (Treat your candle lighter as if it were a seesaw, tilting it forward over the hand controlling the wick, extending the wick as far as necessary to light the candle). Be sure your partner's candle is lighted also. Extinguish your candle lighter and BE SURE to return the wick (up) so the melted wax will not stick inside the candle lighter.
Turn toward each other, hang your candle lighter in the holder, and go back through the opening in the chancel railing and proceed slowly to your seat. Actively participate in the entire worship service, following along in your bulletin. Please do not slouch, sleep, write, giggle, or go to the restroom.
The Offering:
After the ushers have approached the altar and received their collection plates, stand at your seat. As they begin passing the plates, go up to the aisle you came down, ALWAYS STAYING BEHIND THE USHERS. As you follow the ushers up the aisle, collect the registration pads from each side. Some members might like to hand them to you or you may need to pick them up from the arm of the pew. When you reach the back of the sanctuary, place the pads on the table in the back of the sanctuary. As the Doxology is being sung follow the ushers back down the aisle and go directly to your seat.
At the close of the worship service:
When the closing hymn begins, join the congregation in singing until you have completed the last verse of the hymn. Put down your hymnal and be prepared to move toward the altar. As soon as the congregation begins singing the choral benediction, approach the chancel area and pick up your candle lighter from the candleholder. Stop in front of your candle and with your partner RELIGHT YOUR CANDLE LIGHTER AND THEN EXTINGUISH THE CANDLE. Turn to face each other with your candle lighters making an arch and begin moving up the center aisle toward the back of the sanctuary.
Remember...you do not light a candle and put it under a cover, but on a lamp stand that it may give light to the whole house.
As soon as you arrive at the back of the sanctuary, extinguish your candle lighter, put the wick back up, and hang the candle lighter up on the hook over the table in the back of the sanctuary. Hang your robe neatly in the worship room, and pick up any personal items.
Communion Sunday:
On those Sundays when the congregation will be receiving communion at the railing the center opening in the chancel railing will be closed, so you will go around the back of the railing, then back to the center, and up the steps to the altar as usual. Return to your seat the same way. You will come to the altar with the ushers and receive communion. Then return to your seats.
As Communion is being served, when indicated you will hand to the ministers the trays containing grape juice. They will give you an empty tray and you will place it on the appropriate container on the altar table. At the close of the service, you will go from your seat to the opening at the back of the railing to the center steps and then to he altar and exit by the same route.
Baptism:
If a child or adult is to be baptized during the service, there will be a baptismal candle on the altar. An acolyte will be chosen to light this candle during the baptism service. As the family is asked to come forward, the acolyte will approach the altar and get a light on his candle lighter.
As the minister baptizes the child or adult the acolyte will light the baptismal candle and extinguish the candle lighter. The acolyte will return to his seat when the family does.
Advent and Tennebrae:
You will not be responsible for lighting the Advent or Tennebrae candles, but you will need to extinguish them. This should be done as you move toward the altar (before reaching the altar and before relighting your candle lighter or extinguishing the altar candles).
The acolyte servicing on the same side in which the Advent or Tennebrae candles are located will stop to extinguish the Advent and Tennebrae candles while the other acolyte pauses and then both approach the altar together.
Remember...whatever happens, stay cool, act as if everything is going exactly as you planned it and that we love you and God loves you most of all.
The Crucifer:
When desired the acolyte may serve as crucifer using a processional cross. When acting as crucifer, the acolyte should stand facing altar until choir is in stalls, the place processional cross in the bracket. When the service of worship is over the acolyte should retrieve the processional cross from the bracket and lead the ministers and congregation up the center aisle to the back of the sanctuary.
A Word About Posture:
When Standing: stand straight and tall with head raised and shoulders back. Standing is a symbol of the resurrection, for it is the posture of the living.
When Seated: sit up straight with head raised and both feet flat on the floor. Never cross your legs when wearing vestments. Place your hands on your knees, unless you're holding a hymnbook or Bible.
When Kneeling: rest upon both knees, keeping your back straight and your head bowed. Kneel and don't squat.
When Walking: walk slowly and erect with head raised. If you are to carry a cross or candle keep each of them straight. If you walk and have nothing to carry, your hands should be clasped together above, never below the waist.
T H E A C O L Y T E P R O M I S E
I, , promise on my honor as
a worship leader of the Smyrna First United Methodist Church.
-To show my respect for God, my church, my pastor and all the worshippers by my excellent grooming, my promptness and my preparation for my important ministry.
-To be an example for all worshippers through my reverent and prayerful attitude and conduct.
Dear __________________
Below is the new winter/spring acolyte schedule. Please mark your calendar and let the church office know as soon as possible if you have a conflict and need to change dates. It is not your responsibility to secure someone to serve in your place. It is however your responsibility to let the church office know that you will be unable to serve on the date below.
You will also find a copy of the acolyte checklist. Always read over your checklist the night before you are to serve. Just a reminder...if you are acolyting during the 8:30 a.m. worship service your acolyte adviser will meet you in the foyer at 8:20 a.m. If you are acolyting at the 11:00 a.m. worship service your acolyte adviser will meet you in the foyer at 10:50 a.m.
Thank you for helping us worship God,