Central United Methodist Church Acolyte Training and Responsibilities Booklet for the Sanctuary Services 2011-2012 This booklet will be on Central s website. To reach it, click on Ministries, then Children s Ministries, then Acolytes. Also posted will be the schedule and a list of acolytes with contact information for the parents. In order to protect our children, the list of acolytes will require a password to access.
Arriving and Robing Please arrive at the choir room at least 15 minutes before the service time so you have time to put on your robe and cotta. While you are in the choir room, be sure to let Ms. Marci know you are present so that she can give you any last-minute instructions. Once you have your robe on, go to the narthex at the front of the church to get the candlelighter ready for the service. Narthex
Go to the west ushers closet and get out a metal candlelighter Be sure to hold the candlelighter in a fairly upright position so that oil doesn t leak out. Entering Worship Meet up with your acolyte partner and when the music (prelude) begins, an usher will light your candlelighter. Walk to the front of the sanctuary together, being sure to stay together. Smile!
Walk with the candlelighter held on the inside of the aisle (away from the people in the pew). Remember to hold the candlelighter straight forward, not at an angle toward one side or the other. Walk at a steady speed to the front of the sanctuary, making sure you stay even with your partner. Light the candle on your side of the altar and then extinguish the flame on your candlelighter by gently blowing it out. Stand facing the congregation until the pastors come in; follow the pastor on your side to your seat. The choir will file in behind you. Place your candlelighter in the holder and remain standing at your seat until the pastor is seated.
Children s Sermon When the children are invited forward, the acolytes rise and go sit on the second step on either side of the person presenting the children s sermon as shown. Your job is to set a good example for the younger children - sit quietly and listen attentively. When the children s sermon is complete, return to your seats. Offering When the Pastor asks the ushers to come forward for the offering OR when he begins talking about the Ministry Spotlight, both acolytes walk together to the offering plates. The plates are USUALLY in front on either side of the altar but sometimes they are in an alternate location. Ms. Marci will tell you when you check in if an alternate location is in use. Pick up the entire stack of plates and turn toward your partner.
Walk forward together with the plates. You will have to go single file between the choir chairs; if there is a boy and a girl serving, please let the girl go first. Regardless of who goes first, they should stop at the front of the choir and wait for their partner then proceed together to the bottom step. Stand quietly and attentively during the prayer then hold out the plates for the ushers to take. Once the ushers accept the plates, turn toward each other and return to your seat with any remaining plates that were not needed.
When the Doxology begins, meet the ushers at the bottom step to receive the plates, turn toward each other, and walk to the altar together. If the choir forgets to step out of the way, just say Excuse me when you reach the choir. They will shift so you can pass through single file. Again, ladies first, please. Place the plates on the table and take one or two steps back so you can see the cross. Stand facing the cross on the back wall until the Doxology ends and then return to your seat. End of the Service During the final verse of the last hymn, acolytes will get their candlelighters, walk to the altar together, light the candlelighters from the candles, and extinguish the altar candles. Take one or two steps back and face the congregation. NOTE: on communion Sundays, there is no closing hymn. When this is the case, you will get your candlelighter as soon as communion is finished and proceed to the altar. Light your candlelighter, extinguish your candle, step back and face the congregation.
As the pastors come forward to pray, step to the side to make sure there is enough room for all pastors to kneel at the altar. Stand quietly and attentively during the prayer, being careful not to fidget. When the music begins, walk back down to the chancel rail, ladies first through the choir, and continue walking together out of the sanctuary with the candlelighter held on the side nearest your partner. Please walk slowly enough to keep your candle lit but do keep moving. Smile!
When you reach the narthex, extinguish your candle by gently blowing it out. Return your candlelighter to the ushers closet. Return to the robing room and hang up your robe and cotta neatly. Communion When the pastors move to the communion table, the acolytes rise and stand at the ends of the table.
At services where communion is being served by intinction, the pastor will serve the bread to the acolytes and other pastors. Hold the bread until he serves the juice, then dip your bread into the juice and place the bread in your mouth. At services where communion is being served in the pews, you will not be served at this time, so just stand quietly and pay attention while the pastor discusses the significance of communion. When all pastors and acolytes are ready to serve the congregation, lead the way to the tables on either side of the center in front of the pulpit and lectern. Intinction At services where communion is to be served by intinction (where everyone comes forward), remove the cover from the bread plates and hand the cover and half the bread to the pastor, then remove the cover from the chalice. Pick up the chalice along with the towel and move to the front of the chancel area. You will stand on the carpet just in front of where you stand for the offering. The acolytes will stand to the outside of the pastors they are paired with in front of the break in the chancel rail. The acolytes will hold the chalice with the towel in front of the chalice in order to catch any drops of juice. 10
As members come forward, the pastor will serve them the bread, saying as he does so, The body of Christ, broken for you or words to that effect. The member will then dip their bread into the cup. As they do so, you say The blood of Christ, poured out for you. Speak plainly and just loud enough for the member to hear you. Be sure you do not mumble. When everyone has been served, follow the pastor back to the side table, replace the chalice and cover it, then take the bread and cover it. When you have finished, return to the chancel area, retrieve your candlelighter and proceed together to the altar. In the Pews At services where communion is to be served in the pews, remove the cover from the top of the bread plates, and hand the plates one by one to the pastor. When all ushers have plates, step back and stand attentively while the bread is served to all those in attendance. While the ushers serve the congregation, one of the pastors will serve the other pastors and the acolytes. Hold the bread until all have been served. When the pastor indicates, eat the bread along with everyone else. When the ushers return to the front, they will hand the plates to the pastor who will then hand them to you. Stack them neatly and replace the cover. Next, remove the cover from the stack of juice trays and hand them to the pastor one at a time. Like with the bread, the pastor will serve those in the chancel area. Again, stand attentively holding your juice until all have been served. Then, as diected by the pastor, sip the juice along with everyone else. As before, the ushers will hand the trays to the pastor who will then hand them to you. Stack them neatly and then replace the cover. When this is done, follow the pastor back up into the chancel, retrieve your candlelighter and proceed to the altar for the end of the service. 11
If your child is unable to serve on a date he or she is scheduled and you know this in advance, please be responsible for locating a replacement. If your child is sick on a Saturday evening or wakes up sick on Sunday morning, please call Marci Milus on her cell (479-409-8069) as early as possible. She would rather be wakened early than arrive at the church and discover at 8:20 that she is short an acolyte. If you have any questions about the duties or requirements, please contact Marci Milus in the Music Ministries office at 442-1819 or e-mail at mmilus@centraltolife.com. 12