ACOLYTE INSTRUCTIONS

SECOND SERVER

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Before the Service and Procession

During Service - Gospel Book, Offering, Railing

Consecration Prayer and Communion

Ending Procession

Before the Service--- and the Procession

1)Wearing a red cassock and cross, go into the church with the first server. Bow together and light the candles.

At Grace we LIGHT THE ALTAR CANDLES first, and then the CANDELABRA from the inside to the outside.

2)When finished, bow together again. Get the AMERICAN FLAG and fasten it in the hallway outside the vesting room. Put on a white cotta and line up to process behind the choir men. You stand to the RIGHT of the first server who carries the EPISCOPAL FLAG.

3)Carry the flag at a slight angle with one hand against your stomach and the other about fourteen inches from it, up the pole. Keep about six feet between you and the choir person in front of you.

4) When the procession arrives at the choir stalls the first server will pause and allow you to cross in FRONT OF him. Wait at the altar railing until the hymn ends, put your flag away near the baptismal font, and bow with the first server. Take your seat to the LEFT of the altar where the offering plate is.

5)FOLLOW YOUR BULLETIN and use the PRAYER BOOK. Sit and stand with the congregation.

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During the Service---Gospel Book, Offering Plate and Railing

Gospel Book

It is your job to get the GOSPEL BOOK during the singing of the hymn before the gospel, and to follow the crucifer, and the torchbearers if there are any into the congregation for the reading of the gospel. When you arrive at the fourth pew, turn around and hold the book while the gospel is read. Afterward, step aside, let the CRUCIFER LEAD THE WAY, followed by torchbearers, and then you. Replace the BOOK ON THE ALTAR and return to your seat for the sermon.

Offering

While the choir sings the OFFERTORY ANTHEM, watch the ushers. When they walk up the aisle with the offering plates at the end of the anthem, get the BRASS OFFERING PLATE which is right beside your seat and, holding it in front of you, walk to the altar railing to COLLECT THE OFFERING. Take it to the priest, WAIT while he/she blesses it, and then return it to the table beside the altar.

Railing

Immediately after the offering is blessed, FASTEN THE ALTAR RAILING, in preparation for the congregation to receive communion. This is done by lifting the extra piece of the railing into position, sliding the bolt toward the middle of the railing, and then turning the key in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE direction. Make sure the kneeling cushions are all in position and straight.

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Consecration Prayer and Communion

1) Kneel or stand with your LAYREADER during the CONSECRATION PRAYER. Put the kneeling cushions aside and then receive communion with your layreader. Your layreader will hand you one of the INTINCTION CUPS, and you receive it on the palm of your hand, grasping it with the fingers of your other hand. Hand it to your layreader as needed. After the entire congregation has received communion, UNFASTEN THE RAILING, and replace the kneelers.

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Ending Procession

1)When the final hymn begins, extinguish your candles from the OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE. Then put out the ALTAR CANDLES.

2) Walk down to the railing with the first server, face each other, and BOW TOGETHER.

3) Get the AMERICAN FLAG from it’s stand near the font. Fall into procession BEHIND the choir men.

4) After processing out, return your flag to it’s place in the church. Then return to the vesting room and hang up your vestments.

+++Helpful Hints

EAT before the service.

Dress in COOL clothing and DARK shoes.

Tell your layreader or the crucifer if you feel ILL.

Never be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS. The people who know the most are the ones who ASK.

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If you have questions about our acolyte program or anything else, feel free to contact us.