Welcome to Acolyte Training September 16, 2012

Why do we have acolytes? To bring the flame, signifying the light of Christ into the service to remind us that God is with us as we worship. To assist with childrens moment, offering, and communion. To carry the flame out at the end of service reminding us that we are to carry the light of Christ to those outside the walls of the church.

Why do we have acolytes? To give the youth of Central United Methodist an opportunity to serve our God and our church family. To instill a sense that this is our church and we have responsibilities to serve in whatever capacity we are capable.

Responsibilities of an acolyte Be present and ready to serve when I am scheduled. We ask that students arrive in the choir room NO LESS than 20 minutes before service. This gives us time to give them any last- minute instruction and for them to get their robe and cotta on. If I cannot serve when I am scheduled, my parents and I will make every effort to find a replacement ahead of time. If I get sick at the last minute, my parents will contact Marci Milus at as soon as possible, even if its 5:30 in the morning!

What do I wear when acolyting? Girls – dresses, skirt and tops, or pants and tops. Shoes should not be slick or hard to walk in. In the summer when we are not wearing robes, skirts or dresses need to be at least knee length or have leggings under them. Boys – long pants, nice shoes (no white sneakers).

How do I know when I am scheduled? There is a schedule in the packet you will receive at the end of todays training. This schedule will also be posted on the church website. Your parents will receive an from Ms. Marci early in the week prior to each Sunday you are scheduled. Parents, please send me a quick note that you have received my and that your child will be there.

What does an acolyte do? Arrive in choir room 20 minutes before service starts to have plenty of time to get your robe and cotta on. Check-in with Ms. Marci for any last minute instructions. If Ms. Marci is not available, check with Ms. Fenner.

Go to narthex

Get candlelighter from ushers closet on west side of narthex

Wait near central door of sanctuary for prelude music to start, being careful not to block doorway into sanctuary.

Usher will light candlelighter when prelude starts

Walk together down center aisle to front of church. Be sure to stay together. SMILE! Candlelighter should be carried on the inside of the aisle (away from people in the pew), and held straight forward.

Light candles on altar

Step down and blow out your candlelighter. Face the congregation and stand quietly until the pastors enter. Fall into line behind the pastors and in front of the choir.

Place candlelighter in its holder and stand in front of your seat. Watch the pastors and when they sit down, you do the same.

Childrens Moment

Offering When the pastor asks the ushers to come forward for the offering OR when he begins talking about the ministry spotlight, the acolytes walk together to the offering plates. You will need to go single file as you go through the choir.

The offering plates are USUALLY on either side of the altar but will sometimes be in another location. Ms. Marci will let you know when you check in where they are if they are not in their usual place.

Pick up the trays and walk together to the bottom step. Go single file between the choir chairs then wait for your partner before proceeding.

Stand quietly on the bottom wooden step during the offering prayer and allow the ushers to take as many plates as needed.

Turn toward each other and return to your seat with any unused trays. Hold the trays in your lap during the anthem.

Pick up the trays and walk together to the bottom step. Go single file between the choir chairs then wait for your partner before proceeding.

When the Doxology begins, return to the bottom wooden step and allow the ushers to place the plates on top of the ones you are holding.

Turn toward each other and the trays to their tables. If the choir forgets to move, simply say Excuse me when you reach them. They will shift to allow you to get through.

Once you have place the plates on their tables, step back a couple of steps and look toward the cross until the Doxology ends then return to your seat.

During the final verse of the closing hymn, or when you have finished serving communion get your candlelighters and walk together to the altar. If you are unsure about when to move, look at Ms. Fenner or Ms. Marci and they will tell you.

Light your candlelighters from the candles on altar

Extinguish the candle on altar by placing the bell of the candlelighter over it and holding for a few seconds.

If the pastors come forward to pray, step to the side to make sure there is enough room for them. Stand quietly and attentively during the prayer.

When the music begins, walk single file through the choir, then continue walking together out of the sanctuary.

If the pastors do NOT come forward to pray, turn IMMEDIATELY and walk to the bottom wooden step, being careful as you pass the pastors not to let the flame get too close.

Stop there and wait for the end of the benediction.

Once the benediction is over and the music starts, begin walking at a steady pace to the back of the sanctuary. Be sure that neither acolyte gets too far ahead or behind the other.

When you reach the narthex, gently blow your candlelighter out and replace it in the ushers closet.

Communion Intinction: Members of the congregation come to the front of the sanctuary and are served communion one at a time by the pastor and acolyte. In the Pews: Ushers carry plates of bread and juice to the members of the congregation who remain in their seats.

Communion - Intinction When pastors move to the communion table, acolytes follow and stand at the ends facing each other.

Communion - Intinction The pastor will hand you a piece of bread which you hold in your hand until everyone is served.

Communion - Intinction Once everyone has received the bread, he will offer each person the chalice. Dip your bread into the juice and immediately place it into your mouth.

Once all pastors and acolytes have received communion, you will move to the area behind the communion rail. The pastor will remove the cover from the bread and take half of it along with the cover. You are to pick up the chalice and the towel and move to the center front of the communion rail. Communion - Intinction

As members of the congregation come forward, the pastor will hand them a piece of bread. When they dip their bread into the chalice, you say, clearly but not loudly, the blood of Christ, poured out for you.

Once everyone has received communion, return to the table behind the rail. Replace the chalice and towel and place the doily back on top of the chalice while the pastor replaces the bread and cover. When you have finished, return to the chancel area, retrieve your candlelighter and proceed together to the altar for the end of the service. Communion - Intinction

Communion - Pews When pastors move to the communion table, acolytes follow and stand at the ends facing each other.

Communion - Pews The pastor talk about the significance of communion but will not serve the other pastors or the acolytes. Once he finishes talking, you will proceed to the tables behind the rail.

Communion - Pews Remove the cover from the top tray of bread and place it on the table. Hand the bread trays to the pastor who will pass them on to the ushers. When every usher has received a plate, turn and face the congregation and stand quietly.

While the ushers are serving the congregation, one of the pastors will serve the other pastors and the acolytes. Take a piece of bread and hold it. Once everyone in attendance has received the bread, the pastor will bless it and everyone will eat it at the same time. Communion - Pews

The ushers will return to the front and hand the bread plates one at a time to the pastor who will then hand them to you. Stack them neatly and replace the lid.

Communion - Pews In the same manner, remove the cover from the top tray of juice and place it on the table. Hand the juice trays to the pastor who will pass them on to the ushers. When every usher has received a plate, turn and face the congregation and stand quietly.

While the ushers are serving the congregation, one of the pastors will serve the other pastors and the acolytes. Take a cup of juice and hold it. Once everyone in attendance has received the bread, the pastor will bless it and everyone will drink at the same time. Communion - Pews

The ushers will return to the front and hand the juice plates one at a time to the pastor who will then hand them to you. Stack them neatly and replace the lid.

When you have finished, return to the chancel area, retrieve your candlelighter and proceed together to the altar for the end of the service. Communion - Pews

What should an acolyte NOT do? Arrive in choir room at 8:25 or 10:55 – this is stressful for the students, especially if they are uncertain what to do as it does not give them time to ask questions.

What should an acolyte NOT do?

We appreciate your willingness to serve this year. Please do not ever hesitate to ask Ms. Fenner, Ms. Marci, or Miss Cat if you are unsure about what you are supposed to do. We are more than happy to help.

Thank you also to the parents who support their children by making sure they are here when scheduled, even if it means dragging them out of bed by their toenails!

A copy of this presentation, the Acolyte Training Booklet, the Acolyte Schedule, and a list of acolytes with contact information is available at Ministries Tab Childrens Ministries Tab Acolytes Tabwww.centraltolife.com

To protect our students, the list of acolytes and their contact information is password protected. The password is on the front of your Acolyte Training Booklet but will not be on the website copy. If you forget the password, please call Ms. Marci and she will give it to you.

Thank you to Abby Gearhart, Caden Blaschke, Carter Sone, Madisen Brown, and Suzanne Kane for posing for the pictures in this presentation and the booklet! Special thanks to Carter Sone and Madeline Kane for their award- winning performances in the Tardy Acolyte