Altar Server’s Manual (September 2021)

I. INTRODUCTION

Being a Server in the worship of God is a privilege and a joy. This Manual will provide you with the information you will need to serve God and His people in a way that is reverent and deepens your discipleship.

Some Servers function as Acolytes and some as Crucifers, but all are “Acolytes” in the sense of “follower” or “attendant.” Your role is to assist and wait upon the sacred ministers during public worship.

Your responsibilities:

Know and follow the instructions in this Manual
Accept feedback and correction from others
Attend all trainings and rehearsals
Serve when you are scheduled to serve
Contact the Server Coordinator as soon as possible if you anticipate you will not be able to serve when assigned.

How we will support you:

We will provide the necessary instruction
We will provide trainings and rehearsals
We will answer your questions and provide encouragement

II. GENERAL NOTES

A. DRESS CODE

General appearance should be neat and well-groomed
Black pants (or a very dark colors) are preferred
Girl Crucifers may wear a dark-colored dress
Black shoes (not tennis shoes) and black socks (or a very dark color) are preferred
If your shirt has a collar you should fold it under so it will not be visible above the alb

B. POSTURES

In general, walk, sit, and stand slowly – don’t rush
If you think you made a mistake, do not apologize or become flustered. If you are unsure what to do, look towards a member of the Clergy who will then provide direction.
Look at the Celebrant(s), the Prayer Book (or Bulletin), or straight ahead – don’t look about the room
Servers should be uniform in all their postures (all sit or all kneel)
Your goal is perform your duties so naturally, reverently, and inconspicuously that others will not even know you are there – they will be thinking only of God

1. WALKING

If you are not carrying an object such as a Cross or a Torch, or a Prayer Book or Bulletin, your hands should be in front of you with fingers extended and palms together
If you are carrying something, do not bow (or bow only from head) - under no circumstances should the object you are carrying (Cross or Torch) drop forward

2. TURNING AROUND

If you are standing on the right of the altar and facing it and must turn around, turn left
If you are standing on the left of the altar and facing it and must turn around, turn right
If you are standing at the center of the altar and facing it and must turn around, turn right
The general principle here is to avoid turning your back to the center of the altar

3. BOWING

a. The Moderate Bow

How performed:

Bow slightly from the waist so that you can just see your shoes
The head and shoulders move together

When used:

At the end of the Procession and beginning of the Recession
At the beginning of the Gospel Procession
“Glory be to the Father…”
“Who for us men and our salvation, came down from Heaven….” [during the Creed]
“Holy, Holy, Holy…”

b. The Simple Bow

How performed

Bend your head only

When used:

When the name of Jesus is said
When crossing the center of the altar
When the Blessed Trinity is mentioned
When the alms basis is exchanged between Ushers and Server
The Celebrant(s) and Server bow to each other at the conclusion of the Offertory and Ablutions

4. SITTING

Sit upright – do not slouch
Keep your feet flat on the floor and hands resting in your lap – do not fidget
The Acolyte should sit closest to the Credence Table
Girl Crucifers should sit farthest from the Credence Table

5. KNEELING

Once you have processed into the Sanctuary (inside the altar rails) of the church, you will usually be kneeling, unless you are performing a duty
Your hands should be in front of you with fingers extended and palms together or holding the Prayer Book (or Bulletin)
Kneel upright with a straight back – do not slouch and do not sit back on your heels
Kneel according to the instructions (rubrics) in the Prayer Book or Bulletin
If you are physically unable to kneel, stand

6. STANDING

As noted above, you will usually kneel unless you are performing a duty
When standing, stand perpendicular to the east wall
During the Creed, however, you will stand and face due east (towards the wall)

III. DIRECTIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE SERVICE

A. PRIOR TO THE SERVICE

All Servers should arrive early enough to be fully vested at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the Service
If Child Servers need assistance vesting, this will be done by a Sunday School teacher or the “crucifer Mom”
Once you are vested, there is no more “play time.” Others will know you have an official duty during the Service and you should refrain from any conversations that are not relevant to carrying out your duties.
Read the Service Bulletin so you are familiar with the Service since there may be additional instructions included
Note: If there is only one Server present, the Deacon will perform the other (Acolyte or Crucifer) role

A prayer before Holy Communion:

“O God accept all my prayers during this holy service of our bounden duty, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”

LIGHTING THE CANDLES

Five minutes before the start of the Service, the Acolyte lights the candles
Enter from the Epistle side of the Sanctuary, holding the amonctorium (torch and snuffer) on your right side
Stop in the center of the altar and bow (slight bow – see II.3.A. above)
Light the candle on the Epistle side first
Move back to the center, slight bow, and then light the candle on the Gospel side
Return to the center, slight bow, and then exit the Sanctuary
The general principle is: The Gospel candle never burns alone
If there are two Acolytes, the candles are lit simultaneously
If there are more than two candles on the Altar (i.e. multiple candles on either side of the cross), light the candles closest to the cross first, and then move outwards.

B. PROCESSION

This is the order for the Procession:

Thurifer (occasional)
Crucifer
Acolyte (Torch Bearer(s)
Choir (occasional)
Any other Acolytes
Lay Reader
Clergy

The Crucifer and Torch Bearer(s) walk through the Altar rail opening in a single file. When they come to the partition, they spread out evenly left and right, and stop
The remainder of the Altar party walk through the Altar rail opening in a single file. They should form a second row behind the Crucifer and Torch Bearer(s), spreading out evenly left and right, and leave the center for the Priests
When all are in position, all bow in unison
The Crucifer and Torch Bearer(s) place the cross or torch in the designated places and take their seats on the Epistle side. Remember not to rush and leave space between each other when walking.
The Acolyte (Torch Bearer) sits closest to the Credence Table
The Clergy take their respective places

C. GOSPEL PROCESSION

After the Epistle is read and the Lay Reader moves the Altar Service Book (hereafter “Book”) to the Gospel side of the Altar, the Crucifer (after taking the processional cross) and the Acolyte (after taking the torch) take their places at the partition, leaving a space in the middle for the Deacon
The Deacon goes up to the altar, holds the Book at chest level, receives a blessing from the Celebrant, and takes his place at the partition
In unison, all bow and turn around
The Crucifer (first) and the Acolyte(s) (second) walk to the middle of the nave and turn around (facing east)
The Deacon follows them, slightly elevating the Book
If there is only one Torch Bearer, there should be a space of about five feet between him and the Crucifer
The Deacon stops immediately before the Torch Bearer, lifts the book a few more inches and announces the Gospel according the rubrics (BCP, p. 70)
He lowers the book slightly and bows as the congregation sings “Glory be to thee…”
After the Gospel is read, the Deacon lifts the book slightly and proclaims “The Gospel of the Lord.”
The congregation sings “Praise be to thee…”
The Deacon and Torch Bearer(s) step aside, allowing the Crucifer to pass. The Torch Bearer and Deacon follow.
When the partition is reached, the Crucifer and Torch Bearer spread out evenly left and right, leaving a space in the middle for the Deacon. All bow in unison.
As soon as the Deacon steps forward to return the Book to its stand, the Crucifer and Torch Bearer(s) place their instruments in the designated places and take their seats on the Epistle side. Remember not to rush and leave space between each other when walking.
The Creed follows, then the homily

D. OFFERTORY

General principle for serving at the Holy Altar: Think ahead. Keep in mind what your next responsibility is and be prepared to perform it. The Priests or Deacons should not have to wait on you.

As the Priest moves to the center of the Altar, the Acolyte and Crucifer walk to the Credence Table.
The Acolyte removes the stoppers from the cruets, picks up the bread box, and waits
The Crucifer picks up the alms basins
Immediately after the Offertory Sentences (BCP, p. 72) are read, the Crucifer takes the alms basins to the Ushers (remembering to stop in the center of the Altar and bow first)
The Ushers whisper the number of Congregants to the Crucifer
Users and Acolyte bow to each other
The Acolyte turns, bows, walks back to the to the Credence Table, and whispers the number to the Acolyte

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS (“Setting the Table”)

1. Bread Box

The Acolyte walks to the corner of the altar, gives the bread box to the Celebrant and whispers the count of Congregants to the Celebrant (or Deacon, throughout this section)
When the Celebrant returns the bread box, bow to the Celebrant, then return it to the credence table

2. Water and Wine Cruets

As the Acolyte is returning with the bread box, the Crucifer passes by him in the opposite direction carrying the wine and water cruets
Carry the wine in right hand and water in left with handles pointed “out” (toward the Celebrant)
Hand the wine cruet to the Celebrant with your right hand
While he is pouring, move water cruet to your right hand
Receive the wine cruet back with your left hand
The Celebrant (not Deacon) will bless the water
Hand the water cruet to the Celebrant with the right hand
While he is pouring, move wine cruet to the right hand
Receive the water cruet back with your left hand
Bow to Celebrant and return to the cruets to the credence table
Place stoppers back on the cruets

3. Receiving the Offering

While the Doxology is being sung, the Crucifer walks to the center of the altar, bows, and turn around. (Note: If a girl Crucifer is serving, this will be done by the second Acolyte or Deacon)
The Ushers will give the alms basins to him
Ushers and Acolyte then bow to each other
Turn, bow, walk toward the altar and give alms basins to the Celebrant. Remain there throughout the Doxology.
When the Doxology is concluded, receive the alms basins from the Celebrant and bow
Return the alms basins to the Credence Table

4. Lavabo, Water, and Towel (Washing of the Celebrant’s hands)

While the Doxology is being sung, the Acolyte walks to the Credence Table.
Take the water cruet in your right hand, the bowl in your left, and drape the towel over your left arm (reverse this if you feel more comfortable pouring with your left hand)
Walk to the corner of the altar and wait
When the Celebrant has returned the alms basins to the Crucifer, he will walk over to you (Note: If a girl Crucifer is serving, this will be done by the second Acolyte or Deacon)
When he holds his fingers over the bowl, pour a little water over them
Turn slightly to the right and extend your arm (reverse this if you are pouring with the left hand)
The Celebrant will dry his fingers on the towel
Bow to the Celebrant and return lavabo, towel, and water cruet to the credence table
Place stopper back on the cruet and return to your place

5. Receiving Holy Communion

During the Agnus Dei (“O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world…”) the Acolyte and Crucifer should kneel side-by-side on the Epistle side of the Altar

After receiving Holy Communion, return to your places.

E. AFTER HOLY COMMUNION (“Ablutions”)

As the Ministers are walking back to the Altar following Holy Communion, the Acolyte walks to the Credence Table
Remove the stopper from the water cruet, pick it up in your right hand, and take it to the corner of the Altar
Give the cruet to the Deacon with your right hand and wait
When the ablutions are completed, receive the cruet with your left hand and return it to the credence table
Return to the corner of the Altar
When there is enough space on the right side of the altar, move the Service Book from the Gospel side of the altar to the Epistle side
Remember to bow (simple bow) each time you cross the center of the altar

F. RECESSION

The Recession is the mirror image of the Procession (see III.B. above)
When the recessional hymn begins, the Crucifer and Acolyte move center of the Altar, bow, take their cross or torch, and walk to a place just outside of the partition. Standing side-by-side, they turn around in unison to face the Altar.
The remainder of the Altar party form a second row in front of the Crucifer and Acolyte, facing the Altar, spreading out evenly left and right, and leaving the center for the Priests
In unison, both rows bow and turn around, facing the Congregation
The Crucifer walks through the Altar rails without stopping, followed by the remainder of the Altar party in single file in the same order as the Procession.

Extinguishing the Candles

When the Acolyte reaches the back of the church, he will use a side aisle to walk to the Epistle side of the Altar
On the last verse of the Recessional Hymn, he enters the Sanctuary
Extinguishing the candles is the mirror image of lighting the candles (see III.A.)
Walk to the center of the altar, bow, and extinguish the Gospel candle first
Walk back to the center, bow, and extinguish the Epistle candle
Walk to the center of the altar, bow, and exit the Sanctuary
If there are two Acolytes, the candles are extinguished simultaneously

________________________

Sources:

“Acolyte Manual” - Chapel of the Cross, Dallas, Texas
“Acolyte and Lay Reader Instructions” – St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Dunwoody, Georgia
The Churchman’s Guide: A Handbook for All Persons, Whether Clerical or Lay, Who Require a Work of Reference on Questions or Church Law or Ecclesiology, ed. by Arthur Reynolds (1912)
The Book of Common Prayer (1928)
Ritual Notes: A Comprehensive Guide to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Book of Common Prayer of the English Church (11th edition), ed. by E. C. R. Lamburn (1964)
Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book (revised), ed. by Loren Gavitt (1947)

Christian Formation for Servers (September 2021)

“And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee”. -The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 81.

Introduction

Today we recognize three Orders of Ministers: Bishop, Priest, and Deacon. In the ancient Church, however, there were four additional “Minor” Orders: Porter (doorkeeper), Exorcist, Lector (Reader), and Acolyte (server at the Altar). These positions were usually held by those who were preparing for the priesthood. Although we no longer ordain Acolytes and Readers, these positions continue to be held in high esteem in the Church.

By serving in the public worship of God’s people, Acolytes, Crucifers, and Readers have a special responsibility to live according to the commandments of God and walk in His holy ways. The below material is designed to assist you in this formation.

Note:

At Christ the King Anglican Church, the term “Server” specifically refers to Acolytes and Crucifers. Since Lay Readers also have a critical role in public worship, they too, should have an intentional Christian formation and so are included here under the title “Server.”
All Servers are expected to follow the Christ the King Anglican Server’s Manual and participate in all trainings.

Catechesis

The foundation for the Christian formation of Servers is full participation in existing parish Catechesis:

Formal Catechesis
- Servers should already be Confirmed members of the Anglican Church, or enrolled and participating in the Catechumen Class
- Adult Catechesis
  - All Servers are expected to watch the weekly Catechesis video, and are encouraged to participate in the weekly online discussions
  - Servers are expected to attend other Formal Catechesis opportunities as they are developed
- Children’s Catechesis
  - Child Crucifers are expected to participate in Children’s Catechesis
Non-formal Catechesis
- Sunday Liturgy – All Sundays are Days of Obligation for all Christians
- Cell Groups – Servers are expected to actively participate in an assigned Cell Group
- Men’s Fellowship - Servers are encouraged to actively participate
Young Adult Fellowship – Servers in this ages range are encouraged to actively participate
Home Catechesis
- Daily Offices – Servers are expected to use the Prayer Book for daily devotions
- Keeping the Sabbath – Servers are expected to “Keep holy the Sabbath-day”
- Observing the Church Calendar - Servers are encouraged to increase familiarity with the Church’s seasons, feasts, and fasts

Rule of Life

Servers are expected to live according to a Rule (pattern or model) of Life. The traditional Rule is the Daily Offices, Holy Communion, and Private Prayer. This “Rule” (singular) is not a set of legalistic rules (plural). Rule is voluntarily embraced, and provides a framework for the steady advancement in holiness. Additional components of a personal Rule can be added, which can be done with the assistance of a spiritual Director. The traditional Rule can be modified for child Crucifers, but should include, at a minimum, Sunday attendance at Church and daily prayer and Scripture reading (or a Bible story book).

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is the religious application of an everyday principle: “In very little are we really self-taught.” Servers are expected to participate regularly in spiritual direction. You are free to approach any Christian you have confidence in to provide you with godly counsel. The frequency of direction and content will vary from person to person.

Vocational Discernment

It is God, through His Church, who “calls” men into the Sacred Ministry. Your role is to determine whether you are so “inwardly moved.” The experience of serving as an Acolyte, Crucifer, or Reader can help with the discernment process. If you want more information, please see a member of the Clergy.

Prior to Holy Communion – Spiritual Preparation

Fr. Louis Tarsitano suggests the following approach: “Ask God to open your heart, your soul, and your mind to the Spirit of prayer, to his Word, and to his Will. Ask him to guide and illuminate his minister who have been appointed to lead the service.”
You may also use the following prayer from the Book of Common Prayer:

“O God, who makes us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of thy Son our Lord: Vouchsafe us this day such blessing through our worship of thee, that the days to come may be spent in thy service; through the same Jesus Chris our Lord. Amen.

The following Psalms are suitable as preparation for Holy Communion: 23; 25; 26: 36:5ff; 41; 43; 46; 83; 84; 83; 122; 130; 133; 139.

During Holy Communion – Attention and Fervency

Fr. Tarsitano advises as follows: “Once the service begins, focus all of your attention on it. Listen for what God may be telling through his Word and worship.”
If you find you mind and heart drifting, you can pray as follows:

“O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it, the spirit of grace and of supplication; Deliver us, when we draw nigh to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with stedfast thoughts and kindled affections, we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

As Servers, you are to set an example for others, and rightly so. Visitors from non-Anglican churches may be uncertain about when to sit, kneel, or stand. They are more likely to look to you rather than the Clergy to know what to do and when to do it.

After Holy Communion – Thanksgiving and Grace

The following prayer is suitable for giving thanks and requesting additional grace:

“Grant, we beseech the, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honour and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The following Psalms are suitable as thanksgiving after Holy Communion: 8; 15; 18:1-20; 19; 27; 29; 30; 34; 100; 110; 103; 118; 145; 150.

Additional Lay Reader Responsibilities

Lead Matins once per week or as needed (at CTK)
Lead the Morning Prayer portion of the Liturgy each week

All Servers are expected to participate in regular (monthly or quarterly) meetings for Training and discipleship.

Conclusion

This material has been provided to assist you in formation specific to your role as a Server. Being a Server in God’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, however, is not something that can be “turned on” on Sunday mornings. Consider what St. John Cassian says about prayer:

“…We must be such before the time of prayer as we wish to be found while at our prayers. For we cannot avoid our minds being molded at the time of our prayer by what we have been in the time preceding.”

May God grant that our formation as Servers serves our larger formation in the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

1 Letter of Cornelius or Rome to Fabius of Antioch, A.D. 251.

2 Martin Thornton, Christian Proficiency (1988), pg. 21.

3 Thornton, pg. 25.

4 The Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 532.

5 The Reformed Episcopal Church, Canon I, Section 1(a).

6 Louis Tarsitano, An Outline of an Anglican Life (1994), pg. 122.

7 The Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 595.

8 Tarsitano, pg. 122.

9 The Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 594

10 The Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 49.

11 St. John Cassian, Conference X, 14.