The Light of Christ

In our community, we begin worship with the acolyte bringing forth a flame and lighting the candles at the front of the sanctuary. The flame symbolizes the light of Christ present within our midst. As we gather to worship, the light comes into the room, is present throughout our time together so that we know Christ is also there with us, and then just before we leave to go out into the world, the light of Christ goes out before us.



Here are Harrison and Katie, our newest acolytes with Sue and Heather who trained them. Acoylyting is more than just lighting the candle. The term "acolyte" means "companion" or "one who helps" so these young people are the companion to others of us who lead the service. Their important duty is to bring the light of Christ into our midst. In this job they provide important leadership for worship.
Here is Katie in her robe with the candle lighter.



Here are Katie and Heather both robed for worship. Katie wears a white robe. Traditionally white signified new life in baptism. When our acolytes wear the white robes it lends a unity to the office of acolyte now matter what that particular person may choose to wear on Sunday morning. This also is true for the blue robes that the bell choir members wear. Blue is starting to show up in more churches as the color of Advent through we still use purple for Advent and Lent in our congregation. I am not sure why the church decided on blue for the bell choir, except, perhaps to distinguish them from the Chancel Choir. I'm sure it has little to do with the University of Kentucky, and much more to do with the traditional meaning of the color in woship which is "expectation" and "hope" - the "blue" of a new day.