Children and Worship

Parents of 4th - 7th graders will be receiving a letter this week inviting your children to serve as worship leaders by joining the SUMC acolyte team. The Worship & Ministry Commission wants to revive this tradition during our Sunday morning worship.

The word "acolyte" comes from the Greek word "akólouthos" meaning "follower." The same Greek word is used in Mark 6:34, "If any want to become my followers, let them take up their cross and follow me." An acolyte is first of all one who follows Jesus.

In the context of worship, acolytes are also leaders. Their following of Jesus calls them to serve at worship, bearing the light of Christ into the sanctuary and lighting the candles as we begin worship. At the conclusion of the worship service, they extinguish the candles burning on the altar, while they continue to carry the flame of light back down the aisle for us to follow out into the world to love and serve in Jesus' name. This is an important way of following Jesus and an important way of serving the congregation through leadership in worship. The call of children to lead in the Church is written in our scriptures, Isaiah 11:6 tells us, "And a little child shall lead them."

I am a big believer that children of all ages should be invited and expected to serve and lead at worship. We are NEVER too young to learn that our gifts have a place at the altar, that the gifts given to us by our loving Creator God should be gratefully offered back God with praise and thanksgiving. Leading as acolytes, singing in the choir, reading the scripture lesson the day, serving as ushers are all important ways that children find their place in the household of God.

We are presently recruiting 4th - 7th graders to join this important ministry. Please contact John Iberg (jwi0841@verizon.net) if your child is interested by December 1st. I will be leading training for our new acolytes on Sunday, December 6th immediately following worship and they will be installed in their ministry on Sunday, December 13th. During the service on the 13th, they will be given a wooden cross to remind them that they are picking up their cross as "followers" of Jesus.

If you are the parent, godparent or grandparent of a 4th-7th grader, please encourage your children to participate in this important ministry. If you are a member of the congregation, please take a moment to let those you see serving at the altar know that you find their presence meaningful and enriching.

Thank you so much for your support!

Faithfully,
Elizabeth