The Acolytes
Children's sermon
Let Them Answer
(Before the service begins ask the children to come to the chancel. The acolytes and you should be robed and ready. Ask the acolytes to stand or sit on either side of you with their candlelighters.)
This morning let's talk about people who light the candles. Does anyone know what we call them? (LTA, if they can. If they can 't, ask the acolytes what their title is.) Yes, we call them acolytes. Do you know what the word acolyte means? (Let the children or the acolytes answer.) An acolyte is "one who serves."
In the church about 2,000 years ago the acolyte was a very important person. Christians were persecuted. What does it mean to be persecuted? (LTA) Persecuted means that they were arrested and killed or kept in prison just because they were Christians. In fact, one of the first persons to be killed was an acolyte by the name of St. Lawrence. He was caught taking the communion bread and wine to people who were too sick or too old to come to the service. Being a Christian was dangerous, but being an acolyte was even more dangerous. They had to meet for worship in secret places. Where do you think they met? (LTA)
Yes, some met in homes or in back rooms where there weren't many other people. In some places they met in the catacombs. Does anyone know what catacombs are? (LTA) Catacombs were caves that were used for burying people - they were underground cemeteries. Wouldn't that be an odd place to go to church? But they met there because it was safe. The Roman soldiers were afraid to go into the catacombs. They were afraid of ghosts.
Has anyone been in a cave? What's it like in there? (LTA) Yes, it's dark. Sometimes it's dirty and smelly. Sometimes it's spooky. I'll bet it was even more spooky if there were dead bodies buried there!
What do you think the acolytes did? (LTA) I imagine they served God's people by cleaning up, clearing away the cobwebs and maybe finding a place that didn't smell too bad. What about light? Do you think they turned on the electricity or carried flashlights? (LTA) No, I don't think so either! There weren't such things back then. What do you think they used? (LTA) Lanterns or torches or candles? Acolytes held the light during the entire service and also acted as look-outs for those who might arrest them.
Today our acolytes don't have to worry about being arrested or killed for serving the Lord by lighting candles, do they? (LTA) At least, we hope not. I'm thankful that these people have agreed to help with the worship service in the way they do. What are some things we have our acolytes do? (LTA and ask the acolytes to list some of their duties. Every church has different duties.)
Let us pray:
Thank you Lord for the acolytes - those who serve. Let the light of their serving remind us of God's light. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
This morning let's talk about people who light the candles. Does anyone know what we call them? (LTA, if they can. If they can 't, ask the acolytes what their title is.) Yes, we call them acolytes. Do you know what the word acolyte means? (Let the children or the acolytes answer.) An acolyte is "one who serves."
In the church about 2,000 years ago the acolyte was a very important person. Christians were persecuted. What does it mean to be persecuted? (LTA) Persecuted means that they were arrested and killed or kept in prison just because they were Christians. In fact, one of the first persons to be killed was an acolyte by the name of St. Lawrence. He was caught taking the communion bread and wine to people who were too sick or too old to come to the service. Being a Christian was dangerous, but being an acolyte was even more dangerous. They had to meet for worship in secret places. Where do you think they met? (LTA)
Yes, some met in homes or in back rooms where there weren't many other people. In some places they met in the catacombs. Does anyone know what catacombs are? (LTA) Catacombs were caves that were used for burying people - they were underground cemeteries. Wouldn't that be an odd place to go to church? But they met there because it was safe. The Roman soldiers were afraid to go into the catacombs. They were afraid of ghosts.
Has anyone been in a cave? What's it like in there? (LTA) Yes, it's dark. Sometimes it's dirty and smelly. Sometimes it's spooky. I'll bet it was even more spooky if there were dead bodies buried there!
What do you think the acolytes did? (LTA) I imagine they served God's people by cleaning up, clearing away the cobwebs and maybe finding a place that didn't smell too bad. What about light? Do you think they turned on the electricity or carried flashlights? (LTA) No, I don't think so either! There weren't such things back then. What do you think they used? (LTA) Lanterns or torches or candles? Acolytes held the light during the entire service and also acted as look-outs for those who might arrest them.
Today our acolytes don't have to worry about being arrested or killed for serving the Lord by lighting candles, do they? (LTA) At least, we hope not. I'm thankful that these people have agreed to help with the worship service in the way they do. What are some things we have our acolytes do? (LTA and ask the acolytes to list some of their duties. Every church has different duties.)
Let us pray:
Thank you Lord for the acolytes - those who serve. Let the light of their serving remind us of God's light. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
