Acolyte Instructions

St. James Lutheran Church

1705 Oak St., Bettendorf, IA 52722-4255

Voice: (563) 355-4161

Let us take a
walk with Jesus.

Acolyte Instructions

Before Service:

Arrive at church 15 minutes prior to service.
Go to the robe closet in the Pastor’s office to find a robe of comfortable length.
Using matches on the counter outside Pastor’s office, light the candle lighter or light from eternal candle on the altar. Make sure the taper is of sufficient length.
About 5 minutes before service enter the sanctuary together and stop for prayer before the altar. Then light candles on the altar, starting with the middle altar candles and then if there are candelabras, start in the middle and work to the outside. Both acolytes should light candles at the same pace. Light additional candles as instructed by Pastor.
If there is only one acolyte, do both main altar candles first. Then do the left side – middle to outside, then the right side - middle to outside.
Pull back wicks on candle lighter to extinguish flames and return candle lighter to hooks next to counter outside of Pastor’s office.
Sit in front right pews.

Offering:

When offering is indicated in the bulletin (usually after the Creed), go to the side of the altar to get offering plates.
Walk to the steps and hand plates to ushers.
Return to seat until offering music ends, and offertory response music begins.
Return to steps and collect plates from ushers.
Return plates to side of altar and return to pew.

At end of service (as Pastor exits singing last hymn):

Get candle lighters from hooks.
Walk to altar together and stop briefly for prayer. Then extinguish candles with bell-shape part of candle lighter. Extinguish candles from the outside to the middle, both acolytes working at same pace. Do not press down on wicks. Extinguish any additional candles except eternal candle in middle of altar.
If only one acolyte do the right side first – outside to middle and then the left side next – outside to middle, and then the two altar candles last.
Return candle lighters to hooks.
Return robes to closet.

Thank you for serving at St. James.