Acolytes at First Church
Sitting in the 11 a.m. Sanctuary service at First Church, you may notice youth in white and black robes lighting candles and carrying in the Bible at the beginning of each service. These young participants in our worship service are called acolytes. The word acolyte in Greek can mean “to follow” or assist in a service or procession. Students in fourth- grade through middle school help us prepare for worship each week by ushering in the Light of Christ and Word of God.
Light is symbolic in Scripture as seen in Genesis 1:3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” and John 8:12, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Two of the acolytes carry in brass candle lighters and light the tower candles on each side of the communion table. They are each lit to represent the two natures of Jesus as the light of the world, both human and divine. The flames also represent the presence of the Holy Spirit as it came on Pentecost. Only through the presence of the Holy Spirit may we understand and come to know the mystery of worship. The third acolyte carries in the Bible to the eagle lectern. This reminds us that the Scriptures are God’s Word to us. The acolytes’ role is to bring in the full visual representation of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On special occasions such as Palm Sunday, Easter and Christ the King Sunday, a fourth acolyte carries in a crucifer.
Dr. Jim Miller said this tradition was brought to First Church over 20 years ago as a way to help include children in worship. Kathryn Pickerel, queen of the acolytes, has faithfully served behind the scenes of this ministry since its beginning. Every Sunday she meets the acolytes in the Sacristy and helps them get dressed, and reminds them of their specific jobs in the service.
“This is my way of giving back and I enjoy being with the kids and preparing them for this important part of worship.”
– Kathryn Pickerel
Fourth-grade acolyte, Abigail Kanyeki, says, “I like lightning the candle because it reminds me that God is the light.” Fourth-graders attending Worship 101 class, with Associate Director of Music Ministries Gretchen Bashforth, get a chance to learn about the role of an acolyte and its significance in worship once a month. They then can be selected to serve that morning and once they are in Pathfinders in fifth-grade, they can sign up to be part of the monthly rotation.
Director of Middle School Ministries, Jackson Seibert, helps to train the acolytes each year. James Donohue, a seventh-grade student who serves as an acolyte says, “It’s a lot of fun because we get to light the candles and set up the Bible and it’s great to be a part of the service and help out.” Next time you see these youth lighting the candle and bringing in the Bible, be reminded that Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is in our midst, and through the Holy Spirit we may come to know and love the living God.
About the author: Elizabeth DeVore is a lifelong member of First Church Tulsa. She loves being engaged in the body of Christ and growing with her church family. She currently serves as an elder, is involved in Pathfinder middle school ministries, and a Young Adult K Group leader.