Acolyte Handbook for St. John's Episcopal Church

Crucifer Acolyte Service is easy and fun. There are only two rules. First, worship during the service. Second, arrive on time. It’s that easy! Oh yeah, here are a few pointers to help you remember your responsibilities. Please be in the Parish Hall 10 minutes BEFORE the service with the cross!
1.	Check in with the Luminaries to make sure they are ready for the service. Make sure the candles on the Altar are lit. Put on a white robe, and use a white rope.
2.	When the people begin singing the opening hymn, begin carrying the cross. Place the cross in the stand and sit in the first chair.
3.	Do not take cross out during the Offertory.
4.	When the Celebrant finishes saying the Offertory Sentence, bring the Communion Set: Chalice, Paten, Purificator, and Corporal to the Celebrant.
5.	Get ready to bring the Offering Plates to the ushers.
6.	When the Ushers start walking down the aisle during the Offertory Anthem, bring the offering plates to the front of the Altar.
7.	When the Ushers start walking down the aisle during the Presentation Hymn, go back to the front of the Altar to receive the Plates
8.	Receive the Plates from the Ushers. Turn around, and lift the Plates up over your head. Hold them up high when the priest blesses them. Place them to the right of the Celebrant, on the Altar.
9.	Walk to the Credence Table, get the cruet of water, and bring it to the Priest at the altar.
10.	Take any items the Priest gives you back to the Credence Table.
11.	Pick up the Lavabo Bowl, place the towel on the arm in which you are carrying the Lavabo Bowl, walk to the Altar, pick up the cruet of water, and wash the Celebrants hands.
12.	After washing the Celebrant's hands, take all of the hand-washing items back to the Credence Table.
13.	Receive Communion at the altar rail with the Luminaries.
14.	After you receive Communion, go to the Credence Table and get the other Chalice(s) and Paten(s) and place them on the altar.
15.	Go to the Aumbry and bring the Reserve Sacrament to the Altar. Set both the Ciborium and the cruet of wine on the Corporal. Return to your chair.
16.	When Communion is finished, return to the Altar. Take the Reserve Sacrament back to the Aumbry.
17.	Help the Priest clear the Altar of Chalices and Patens. After the Altar is clear, return to your seat.
18.	When the people have sung the first verse of the closing hymn, begin carrying the Cross. Stop at the Font and pray, then replace the Cross in the stand.
Please review these pointers the night before you serve!

Luminary Acolyte Service is easy and fun. There are only two rules. First, worship during the service. Second, arrive on time. It’s that easy! Oh yeah, here are a few pointers to help you remember your responsibilities.
1.	Put on a white robe, and use a red rope.
2.	Light the candles on the Altar, beginning on the right.
3.	Place bulletins on Acolyte chairs to use during the service
4.	Ten (10) minutes before the service, join the others in the parish hall to pray. Be sure you bring your lit torch.
5.	Walk directly behind the Crucifer, next to the other Luminary.
6.	Place your torch in the stand, and sit in the second and third chairs.
7.	Receive communion with all of the other Eucharistic Ministers and Readers (the group gathered around the Altar.
8.	After you have received Communion help to assist members of the congregation go to the Altar Rail to receive Communion.
9.	When the final hymn begins, get your torch and wait for the Crucifer to begin processing out. When the Crucifer starts to walk out of the church, walk behind the Crucifer, next to the other Luminary.
10.	Stop at the Font and pray with the others. The Celebrant says: “May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.” You reply: “And may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.”
11.	Replace the torch in the stand.
12.	Thank you!
Please review these pointers the night before you serve!

Special Acolyte Words
Altar	The big, wooden table in front of the church.
Aumbry	A secure receptacle holding the Reserve Sacrament and the holy oil. Our Aumbry is behind the icon of Jesus, in the brick wall near the altar.
Celebrant	The Priest who leads the service and wears the Chasuble.
Chalice	The silver wine cup that holds the Communion wine.
Chasuble	The special, colored poncho-like vestment worn by the Celebrant.
Ciborium	Covered vessel holding the Reserve Sacrament. Ours is silver, and looks like a silver wine glass with a lid. It is kept in the Aumbry.
Communion	The Sacrament’s of the Lord’s Supper: bread and wine. Communion also refers to the entire second-half of our worship, beginning with the Offertory.
Communion Rail	The two rails on either side of the Altar.
Communion Set	The vessels needed to celebrate Communion: Chalice, Paten, Corporal, and Purificator.
Corporal	A large white linen napkin, which is spread on the Altar, upon which the Chalice and Paten are placed at the beginning of Communion.
Credence Table	The small table near the altar used to hold the Communion Set before, and after, Communion.
Crucifer	The person who carries the processional cross at the head of the procession.
Cruet of Wine	The small glass flasks used to hold wine that has already been blessed in the Aumbry.
Eucharist	From the Greek, meaning “thanksgiving.” One of the names for our worship service on Sunday. The Eucharist has two parts; one, liturgy of the Word (when we read scripture and pray) and Communion.
Flagon	The big, pitcher-shaped vessel in which wine is consecrated at the Eucharist.
Font	A ceremonial basin into which water flows or is poured for the use of Baptism. We have a font in the Narthex and also use one in the church for baptisms.
Luminary	The person carrying the torch.
Narthex	The area just behind the glass walls in back of our Nave with the marble font in it, where we walk through to go into church.
Offering Plates	The large silver plates used by the Ushers for the collection during the Offertory.
Offertory	The part of the service that begins communion, during which the gifts of bread and wine and money are brought to the altar.
Offertory Anthem	The song that the choir sings during the offertory.
Offertory Sentences	The sentence that the priest says to begin the offertory.
Paten	A shallow silver dish upon which communion bread is placed.
Presentation Hymn	The hymn that the congregation sings while the gifts of bread, wine and money are being brought forward to the altar.
Purificator	A small linen napkin used to wipe the lip of the chalice during communion.
Reserve Sacrament	Consecrated bread and wine, set aside in the aumbry to be used to visit the sick.
Sacraments	Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ, as sure and certain means by which we receive the assurance of that grace.
Torch	Wooden pole with candle on the end. Carried in procession by the Luminary.