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Acolyte and Crucifer
Handbook
2012-2013
The purpose of this handbook is to help you understand about being an acolyte or crucifer
at First United Methodist Church. An Acolyte or crucifer plays an important role in the
worship service.
If you have questions PLEASE ASK! We may even change the handbook to make it clearer.
The idea is for this handbook to be easy to understand and to help in your training as an
acolyte or crucifer – AND to be a reminder to the experienced acolytes and crucifers.
Acolyte history
The word acolyte comes from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning companion, attendant,
or helper. The acolyte ministry dates back to the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, where
the prophet Samuel is seen assisting Eli, the Levite priest, and Elisha is seen assisting Elijah
the Prophet.
You’re Role
The Acolyte and crucifer’s role is to serve – to help in the presentation of the worship
service. An acolyte/crucifer is a leader and a helper. Therefore, the acolyte/crucifer must
learn his/her part in the service and pay attention.
If something goes wrong, the Pastor might ask you to do something a little different. For
example, if the Pastor forgets their Bible or Hymnal they may ask you to retrieve them…
Like a terrific waitress or waiter, an acolyte should always be on their toes.
A good acolyte/crucifer also anticipates the next step in the service. So you’re “at the ready”
when it’s time for the next thing to happen in the worship service. Just like the waiter or
waitress who knows just when to clear the table.
And, don’t worry about making a mistake, it will be okay. Just be comfortable in your role
as a leader and a helper. But use the opportunity to pay attention and to learn.
Schedule, Promptness, Dress Code
Schedule -- All acolytes and crucifers will receive a schedule of services for the coming
quarter. The schedule is made up after talking to everyone to determine the most sensible
schedule – based on availability – as best we can. A list of acolytes / crucifers (and their
phone numbers) is also printed on the schedule. If there is a schedule problem or if plans
change (things do come up) the assigned acolyte/crucifer are responsible for finding a
substitute.
Emergency?? Call Bekah at 859-576-0057
Promptness -- As an Acolyte/Crucifer, you are expected to arrive at the church in time to
be in the dressing room 15 minutes before the service is scheduled to begin. This will give
you time to get vested, check equipment (torches and cross) and to check on any special
requirements.
Dress Code -- Please wear nice clothes. Closed toed shoes. Please make sure your hair is
combed. No chewing gum or eating candy. And most importantly: “You’re never completely
dressed without a SMILE!”
Some General Knowledge…
Acolyte means “companion” or “one who helps.” An acolyte brings the symbolic light of
Christ into the worship service. Once the acolyte brings the light, the worship service may
begin.
Crucifer is the person who carries the cross, leading the procession into and out of the
church.
Parts of the Church:
Chancel the area “inside” the communion rail
Narthex the “lobby” just inside the front doors to the church
Nave large main area where all the pews are located
Pulpit large elevated lectern from where the lessons are read
Things Used in the Service:
Altar Candles the candles on the Altar - front of table light right first then left
(extinguish opposite)
Alms basin the big brass plates for the offering
Candle-lighter is used by the acolyte to light the candles and consists of a taper from which
the candles are light and a bell for snuffing out the flame.
Eweer is the pitcher of water used to fill the Baptismal font
Font is the bowl from which water is taken during the Sacrament of Baptism
Offering is taken at a time in the service when the members of the church offer their gifts to
God in the form of money.
Prelude is the music played before the service starts
Postlude is the music played at the end of the service.
Sacraments are means by which we receive God’s grace. These sacraments are earthly
elements and God’s Word to bring His blessing. Baptism and Holy Communion are the two
that we partake in on Sunday mornings.
Taper is the long stem or wick in the candle lighter
Vestments is a general name for the clothing worn by
those who participate in the service.
Vestments:
Cassock robe that acolytes wear
Cincture the rope tied around your waist
Schedule For A Typical Sunday Morning
An acolyte/ crucifer should arrive 15 minutes before the service.
YOUR PARENTS WILL NEED TO SIT WITH YOU DURING THE SERVICE.
Put on your vestments (robe and smock) found in the narthex closet.
Opportunities For The Week
A time when announcements are given
Blessing of the Children
Children ages 2 -2nd grade are dismissed
Ritual of Friendship
Greeting each other
Prelude
Music played at the beginning of the service
Call to Worship
Processional
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.
Crucifer: When the processional hymn begins wait until the congregation has begun to sing.
Acolyte: When the usher lights your candlelighter, you should hold it in front of you. It
should be tipped slightly forward, with the flame pointing ahead of you and the bell
pointing back toward you. Your left hand should be near the bottom and your right hand
where it can adjust the knob that regulates the length of the taper.
With the lighted candlelighter or cross, walk in a dignified and unhurried manner toward
the altar. Take short steps. Keep your head up and your eyes straight ahead. Acolyte
should walk two pews behind the crucifer.
When you reach the front of the church, before you step up, pause and reverently look at
the cross on the altar.
Crucifer walks slowly to the right and places the cross in the holder by the baptismal. Then
slowly walks to the front pew. Acolyte slowly walks up the altar area and lights the
candles. As soon as both sets of candles are lit, extinguish the candlelighters by pulling the
lever down making the wick go into the candlelighter. Turn around, go down the steps and
walk to put the candlelighter in the holder by the piano. Then be seated on the front rows
on both sides of the church.
The best way to stand as an Acolyte
Stand straight. Please don’t slouch or lean against a pew. Hands folded at waist (belly
button level) or hands at your sides.
Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord: who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose
from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right
hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to
judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the
holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of
sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Gloria Patri Praises sung to God
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Offertory
Music played during the presentation of offering
Offering
Gifts of money are gathered
Doxology Praise sung to God after the offering is brought to the front of the Sanctuary
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him, all creatures here below;
praise Him above ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer for those who are sick, for the world, and for the needs of the Church
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Sermon
A text from Scripture is applied to daily life
Benediction
Blessing given by the minister at the end of the church services
Postlude
Special Events:
Baptisms: If there is a baptism during the service, the Crucifer and Acolyte will typically
help with pastor. The pastor will direct the Acolyte and Crucifer as to when they are to get
up and join them at the stairs in the Chancel area. Crucifer holds the water and the Acolyte
holds the towel. Crucifer will need to go and get the bowl of water from the baptismal and
the Acolyte will need to make sure that they have the towl from the robe closet.
Good Friday: During our Good Friday service ther will be a chance for the Acolytes to serve
as major role in the service. As the service begins, the Acolyte lights the candles on the
altar and then during the service they extinguish the candles. There is a script to be
followed and parents are in charge of helping keep track of when it is time to go up and
which candle to extinguish.
Church Seasons
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.
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