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Guidelines for Acolytes & Crucifers

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Guidelines for Acolytes & Crucifers Guidelines for Acolytes & Crucifers Please read the information on the following pages so that you will be comfortable and able to participate fully in the service. The roles of Acolyte and Crucifer are important ones as they carry into worship the cross and the flame that represents the Holy Spirit. They signify that the worship has begun. During the service if you are unsure of a situation, look to the Pastor or Worship Assistant for guidance. All Services • Clothing. The lower part of your leg and your feet will show from under the robe. Wear clean, neat shoes. • Arrive 15 minutes before worship. o Choose the robe (hooded) you will wear and the proper length cincture. o Review the bulletin for special events such as a baptism or whether the Christ Candle is to be lit. • As soon as you are robed, get the cross (Crucifer) or candle lighter (Acolyte). Do not lean the cross or candle lighter against the wall and leave them unattended. • The Crucifer stands at the opening to the choir loft facing the altar. The Acolyte stands next to the Crucifer. This is an opportunity to prepare your heart for worship with prayer, perhaps something like: “Jesus, you are the Light of the World. Amen.” • Following the welcome and announcements, the Pastor then begins the “Confession and Forgiveness.” Remain standing where you are in front of the choir loft. The Worship Assistant will light your candle lighter. • Following the “Confession and Forgiveness,” remain in your position as people share the peace of Christ with you. • The Acolyte and the Crucifer stand when the congregation stands. Processional • Crucifer: o When the congregation begins to sing the opening hymn, the Crucifer, followed by the Acolyte, may begin walking at a moderate pace toward the front of the church. The Crucifer should remember that the congregation will turn to face the cross during the processional and recessional. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church 1 Acolyte & Crucifer Guidelines – updated 9/19/2018 o As the Crucifer arrives at the altar, pause before the altar. Walk to the cross stand and make sure the base of the cross is securely placed in the stand. Then go to your seat. • Acolyte: o As you walk toward the altar, watch the wick and adjust it if needed to ensure that the flame does not become too big or go out. o When you arrive at the altar, bow your head and pause before the altar. § Light the candles. If the Christ Candle is present, light it first. Then light the candle on the right. § When the candles are lit, extinguish the flame (do not blow it out) and take the candle lighter to the stand near your seat. • The congregation can see you as you participate in worship. Sit up straight, feet on the ground, legs together, paying attention and participating in worship. Offering • After the Prayers, the organist will begin the Offertory music and the Acolyte goes directly to the offering plates and stands with them on the top step in front of the altar, and facing the congregation. o The ushers will come to you o Slip your finger under the top plate, and offer it to the usher on your far left, then work your way across. o When all 4 ushers have their plates, return to your seat. o On the last verse of the Offertory Hymn, get the big plate, and go to the center to receive the plates from the ushers. Allow the usher on your right to put theirs on first. o Return the plates to their shelf and go to your seat. Remember: you are receiving more than just money. You hold in your hands a portion of people’s lives that they are giving back to God. Communion • If Communion is by intinction, after the words of institution the Acolyte and Crucifer return to their seats. o After the congregation has been served the Worship Assistant will indicate that you should kneel with him/her at the left altar rail to receive Communion. When you have received Communion, you may return to your seat. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church 2 Acolyte & Crucifer Guidelines – updated 9/19/2018 • If Communion is using trays, one of you will follow the Communion Assistant (wine bearer) on one side and the other of you will follow Communion Assistant (wine bearer) on the other side with an empty tray, and collect glasses as Communion is served. o Follow the Communion Assistant, and when your tray is full of empty glasses (and there are few spaces left) switch trays with them. They will get a full one from the altar, and you can fill up your mostly empty tray from them. o When Communion is finished, give your tray to someone at the altar, and kneel with the Worship Assistant at the left altar rail to receive Communion. When you have received Communion you may return to your seats. Recessional • Depending on the length of the recessional hymn, we will most often begin moving after the first verse. If it is a shorter piece, we may need to move during the first verse. • Crucifer: When the Pastor gives the signal, go immediately and get the cross o You are the leader. You don’t wait for anyone else at this point; just go. o Take the cross in front of the altar and walk down the aisle, not too slowly, not too quickly. The congregation will turn to face the cross as they did during the processional. o The Worship Assistant, Communion Assistants and Pastor(s) will follow you o Walk to the entrance to the choir loft and turn to face the altar. o When the Worship Assistant offers the dismissal: “Go in peace. Serve the Lord", respectfully walk with the cross up the aisle on the left side of the church to return the cross to its holder. • Acolyte: When the crucifer goes to get the cross, you get your candle lighter. o After the Pastor has bowed before the altar, extinguish all candles beginning with the candle on the left. If the Christ Candle is present, extinguish it last. o Extinguish the candles by holding the damper over the candle for a few seconds. Don’t squash the wick. o Return your candle lighter to its holder. o Go directly to the sacristy, take off your robe, and hang it up. o NOTE: You do not recess out with the others. Remember that you are still in front of the congregation and move with reverence. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church 3 Acolyte & Crucifer Guidelines – updated 9/19/2018 Acolyte & Crucifer Scheduling • Acolyte/Crucifer training will be provided by the Pastor during Confirmation class. • Parents or their students will have an opportunity to sign up for both regular services and special services each quarter (5-6 times) either by e-mail or sign-up sheets provided at Confirmation classes. • Students who are not signed up will be assigned by the Acolyte/Crucifer Coordinator. • Once the schedule is set, it will be distributed to all via e-mail or regular mail for those without e-mail and also will be posted in the robe room. • You will get an e-mail reminder from Debbie Mullinax in the church office the week before but please mark your calendars when the schedule comes out in case the reminders don't reach you in time. • If you are unable to serve on a scheduled day, please make every effort to contact another student on the list to make a switch. Phone numbers will be provided on the schedule for this purpose. Once a switch is made, please contact Debbie in the church office to notify her of the change ([email protected] - 703-368-3943). You do not need to notify the Acolyte/Crucifer Coordinator of a switch. • If you have any questions about scheduling, please contact the Acolyte/Crucifer Coordinator. Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church 4 Acolyte & Crucifer Guidelines – updated 9/19/2018 .
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