St. Paul AME Worship Center Acolytes Ministry

"Live as children of light"    Ephesians 5:8 NIV

Acolyte Ministry's Purpose: lighting of the candles, which is the symbolic light of Jesus Christ and how he is to be seen in the world. Also, the lighting of the candles represents the presence of the Holy Spirit in the worship.

 History of Acolytes: Churches have had acolytes since the ancient times. the earliest record of acolytes tells us that in A.D 251 there were 42 of them helping in the churches in the city of Rome.  The word acolyte is taken from ancient Greek word that meant companion, attendant, or helper. 

 Worshiping God- an important part of an acolyte’s job is to light and extinguish the candles on or near the special table that we call the Lord's Table, or Communion table or alter.  We call it the Lord's Table because it is the Lord Jesus Christ's table. As the family of Christ, we gather at His table for the holy meal before him, Communion or the Lord's Supper. After an acolyte lights or extinguishes the candles, they recess reverently with the candle lighter to remind people that when we go out into the world, we take the light of God's presence with us.