After my confirmation at St. Luke’s, I knew I wanted to become more involved in the church services. I primarily attended Sunday School instead of the services as a child, but as I grew older I found that I enjoyed listening to the sermons and liked the traditional aspect of the services. After looking for a way to become involved in the service, I became an acolyte.

The acolytes light the candles at the opening and closing of every service, providing light at the altar and to God. At the end of the service, the acolyte carries the flame out of the sanctuary to show Jesus Christ is for all people. This symbolism was something that I thought about deeply as I was responsible for carrying this light. I had to realize that I was not simply lighting a candle, but I was providing God’s light at the altar.

I’ve been an acolyte for almost five years, and it has been an important part of my life throughout middle school and high school. It has helped my relationship with God to become stronger and more meaningful, and I can see his actions in my life. I have learned much more about the services themselves, and I found that I most enjoy being an acolyte at the 8:30 a.m. service because of the communion and its symbolism. I also enjoy being an acolyte during some of the special church services like All Saints’ Day and Easter Sunday.

It is so impactful to see the whole community filling every seat in the room while listening to the word of God. Being an acolyte at St. Luke’s also helped me form personal relationships with those who work and volunteer at St. Luke’s and have a better understanding of all the work that goes into one church service.

The acolyte experience has encouraged me to form a closer relationship with God and has been very important during my teenage years. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to serve as an acolyte on Sundays, and I think it is a very special aspect of St. Luke’s.