Grace Episcopal Church
 

Acolyte Schedule

Lighting the Advent Candles

 

For instructions on Acolyte responsibilites and complete information about all Acolyte duties see below. For just a refresher, go to the short version at the end of the page.

 

 

Acolyte Instructions

(The long version)
Since we are not Acolytes every week, and for the most part the younger members who are in Sunday School don’t even see the whole service each Sunday, it’s easy to forget exactly what you have to do during the service.
I’ve created this list as a reminder and refresher for you to check so that you learn what your responsibilities are and generally what you need to do before, after, and especially during the service. I hope you’ll read this so that you begin to learn what an important part of Sunday Church Service you play each Sunday.

(I know this is a little long, but I’ve tried to cover everything, just in case.

Appearance

It’s a distraction to worshippers when acolytes don’t pay careful attention to their personal appearance, including their shoes and the clothes they wear under their vestments (robes). Please take time to comb your hair carefully, wear regular shoes, not flip flops, and give yourself plenty of time to get into your robes and perform your “before the service” duties. We don’t have specific robes for each of you, but there are plenty of different-sized red robes in the Sacristy. So pick a robe that is clean, and fits properly (not too short or too tight) and put it on. Also remember to tie the cincture (rope belt) around your waist or have an adult do that and to pick a cross from the collection on the counter in the Sacristy for you to wear around your neck. Now you are ready to begin.

Before the Service Light the Candles


15 minutes before the service (10:15) light the Candlelighter (younger members get your parents or one of the ladies in the Altar Guild to do this for you) and go and light the candles out on the Altar. (Remember you should always bow as you approach the Altar and after you leave the Altar.
Light the two large candles on the Altar first, then light the two sets of three candles behind the Altar. Light these from the outside into the center, meaning light the candle farthest from the wooden cross on the back wall, then the middle candle of the three, then the right candle last. Go across to the other side and reverse the procedure. Lighting the candle on the far right first,
then the middle and finally the inside candle closest to the wooden cross. The order of the candles isn’t the most important part, what is important is that you act dignified and reverent as you do this. I realize this is probably the most fun thing you get to do and even if the church service hasn’t really started yet. Lots of people are watching you do this. You are setting the mood for the rest of the service.
Once you have the candles lit go back to the Sacristy and blow out the candlelighter, put it carefully away and get the Cross from it’s stand and carry it to the back of the church where the choir and Anna are standing to wait for the service to begin. Do not lean the cross up against the wall or leave the cross for any reason. If you must, please hand it to a choir member, Communion
Assistant or someone else in the service to hold while you do what takes you away from your duties. Thank them when you return.

Crucifer

Person who holds the cross at the beginning of the service and leads the procession to the Altar.

The Service

Service beings with the ringing of the church bell and after Anna has made the announcements. Processional song begins, take your place at the back of the center aisle ready to lead the procession.
Wait until the first verse of the song has been sung. Then move slowly and solemnly down the aisle holding the cross up straight and steady with both hands. Go up the first set of stairs and stop at the entrance to the Altar. Hold the cross still while all the choir, Communion Assistants
and Anna make their way up to their seats. Then put the cross away (quietly, remember the service has started) in the Sacristy and return to your seat on the bench outside of the Altar rail.


The Gospel

Your next responsibility is to hold the Book (this book is called the Missal) for Anna and take it down the center Aisle for Anna to read the Gospel. This happens after the two readers have finished their readings and the music begins.
Hold the book over your head steadily looking out at the congregation and wait until Anna is behind you to go down the steps and into the Aisle. Go down the aisle 5 or 6 pews and turn around, and hand the book to Anna. Keep still and quiet while she reads the Gospel, and returns the book to you. Hold it again over your head and lead Anna back up the aisle and return the
Book (Missal) to the Missal Stand on the Altar. Then go sit on the chair inside the Altar Rail. (Not the bench where you were sitting before, this is the small wooden chair on the back wall under the candle that hangs from the wall on chains. (This is called the Sanctuary Lamp)


Setting the Table-The Most Important Job-


Starts with getting the four Collection Plates (two from the shelf on each side of the Altar and going to the front of the Altar steps to give them to the Ushers.
The real important part comes after that when you get the two vessels that hold the Wine and the Bread from the Presenters. Be careful and make sure you have a good hold on them both before you start back up to the Altar.

Also, one of the ushers will tell you how many people are at today’s service (a number like 75 or 92, something like that) remember that number and tell it to Anna when you get back up to the Altar.

Go around to the side of the Altar to give Anna the Bread and Wine, and be careful going up the steps to the Altar. Do not spill!

Go back down to the steps and get the water ready for Anna. Take the small towel (called a Lavabo Towel) and put it over your left forearm (like you see waiters do on TV) also take the lid to the water pitcher (called a Cruet) and open it all the way up and hold it with your thumb so it doesn’t slam shut when you tip the water pitcher.
First Anna will ask you to pour a little water to put into the Wine goblet. (just a trickle)
While she is putting on her robes, take the small bowl (called a Lavabo) and if you are right handed, hold the pitcher in your right hand and the Lavabo in your left so you can pour water naturally. Pour a small amount of water over her hands into the Lavabo (be careful not to spill) and she will dry her hands on the towel hanging from your arm.

Take the towel off your arm, fold it and place it neatly over the Lavabo Bowl on the shelf along with the water pitcher.

It is now time to get the collection plates from the Ushers. Wait for the proper music to play, (the music is called the Doxology). Make sure you carefully remove the large collection plate from behind the items on the shelf. Go to the top of the stairs and hold out the large collection plate so the Ushers can place their four plates in yours. Turn and slowly take them around to the side of the alter and give them to Anna.
You can now go back to your seat and get ready to receive Communion (Bread and Wine) Once you have received your bread and wine, quietly go back and sit in your chair. (Do not talk with or make faces at people who are coming up to the altar Rail to get Communion) do not swing your legs in the chair, you might trip Anna or the Communion Assistant by accident.
Once everyone has had Communion, Anna will ask you for a little water to clean out the Wine Goblet, Pour just a small amount into the goblet (remember to hold the lid so it doesn’t slam shut.

Recessional

At the end of the service, It is time to lead the Choir and everyone participating in the Service back d own the aisle. Slowly go back to the Sacristy and get the Cross again. Come out holding it high and straight and stand at the top of the steps in front of the Center Aisle.

Wait for the Choir to start getting behind you, generally after the first verse of the processional song and begin slowly down the steps and solemnly down the aisle.
Once at the back of the church continue left and slowly make your way back down the right aisle to the Sacristy to put the cross away.
Look at the altar on your way back to the Sacristy to see if one of the Communion Assistants have put out the candles. Generally they perform this duty. If the candles are still lit, go get the Candlelighter (which also has a candle snuffer as well) and slowly go back to the altar and put out the candles. Be careful not to knock the candles over when putting them out.

To Finish

You have now finished your responsibilities. Go back to the Sacristy and quietly take off your Cross and return it to where the others are, take off your Cincture (Rope Belt) and carefully take off your robe. Try not to drag it on the floor while you are removing it. Hang the Robe and the Rope Belt neatly on the same hanger that you took it from, and join your family.

One last thing

During the service, people are looking up at the Altar and they can’t help but notice you. You represent Anna and the other leaders of the church and as such you need to act accordingly. Try not to look bored, try not to yawn, try not to wiggle and tap your feet or hands. Pay attention to Anna and what is happening in the service.
When everyone in the church is standing, you should be standing also. When everyone is kneeling. You should be either sitting or kneeling at the Altar Rail if you can slip through the opening in the rail to the outside. Be an active
participant of this service because everyone else in church believes you are an important part of this service.
Thanks

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Here’s the short version of what you need to do:

1) Get dressed: Red Robe, Belt and Cross
2) Light the Candles
3) Take Cross to back of church
4) Proceed down center aisle to Alter Rail
5) Return Cross back to Sacristy
6) Sit on bench outside Altar Rail
7) Get Gospel Book from Altar,
8) Hold over head to 6th pew
9) Anna reads
10) Return book to Altar, Sit on Chair inside Altar Rail
11) Get Collection Plates and give to Ushers
12) Get Wine and Bread and number, take to Anna at the Altar
13) Get Water ready for Anna
14) Put Water in wine
15) Get Towel and bowl
16) Wash Anna’s hands
17) Get large Collection Plate
18) Get collection from Ushers and put on Altar
19) Get ready for Communion
20) Take Communion
21) Get cross from the Sacristy
22) Lead procession from the Altar
23) Put cross back in the Sacristy
24) Put out the candles if needed
25) Take off robes and hang them up
26) Done!
 

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