The Shaw Temple Church Acolytes participate in the worship service by carrying a processional cross and lighting the altar candles to call the congregation to worship. The lighting of the altar candles in the worship service is a symbol of Jesus’ coming into the presence of the worshiping community. At the conclusion of the worship service the acolytes extinguish the altar candles. The extinguishing of the altar candles symbolizes that Jesus Christ is for all people everywhere. It also symbolizes the light of Jesus Christ going out into the world where believers are called to serve.

Mission

The mission of the Shaw Temple Acolytes is to set a tone of reverence and worship at the beginning of worship service and to acknowledge through the lighting and extinguishing of the candles the call to worship and that the light of Jesus  goes out into the world through the service of believers.

Goals

• To signal the call for believers to worship
• To remind believers that Jesus is the light we take to the world through our service