Acolytes | The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

Acolytes are young parish members (ages 10-18) who assist in the liturgy on Sunday morning. They are trained for various duties including carrying the cross and torches in procession, distributing alms basins, and assisting in the preparation of the altar for communion. Through their ministry, acolytes deepen their understanding of the Anglican liturgy and many draw closer to God through this service.

Being an acolyte is a fantastic opportunity to grow in understanding of our Anglican nature, but also a beautiful opportunity to lead others in worship. We want to value this role and provide adequate space and time to train and equip our acolytes to understand the importance and sacredness of this role.

We will host two training Sundays (September 8, 2024, & January 26, 2025) along with monthly offerings to touch base that will be held on the second Thursday of every month, from 6pm-7pm, to allow for community building, solidifying understanding of the role of an acolyte, and how this role plays a part in one's spiritual formation. Dinner will be provided during the monthly Thursday night gatherings.

The Sunday training sessions will begin at 10am during education hour, continue into the 11am worship service, and end around 12:30pm in the sanctuary. The training sessions will involve instructional time from 10am-11:30am, a break for lunch at 11:30am, then ending with hands-on training once the Banquet service is over in the sanctuary.

Participants should plan to attend all gatherings their schedule allows for.

If you are a new participant in the acolyte team, please register here to let us know you will be joining!

Any questions can be directed to Todd Schwartz, Acolyte Coordinator.

Club CoR

Our Club CoR kids learned about being an acolyte during Club CoR's What is an Acolyte Sunday.

Harper, Oliver, Paige, Ainsley, and Eleanor learn what it is to be an Acolyte during Club CoR on Sunday.

Harper, Eleanor, Paige, and Ainsley look on as the Rev. Melanie Slane explains the significance of the candles.

Eleanor, Paige, and Oliver take their turn lighting the torches during Club CoR’s What is an Acolyte? on Sunday.

Oliver lights a torch while his friends from Club CoR look on.

Ainsley prepares to light the torch.

Ainsley, Paige, and Oliver practice being Acolytes.

Ainsley prepares to take a turn carrying the cross.

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Liturgy Acolytes Banquet: Contemporary Service Bread Guild Celtic Guild Intercessors Lay Eucharistic Visitors Lay Readers Lectors Music Ministries Sacristans Sunday Bankers Ushers

Sermons

Sep 14 | The Rev. Dr. Herschel Wade
Backtalk
Sep 4 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
The Hate We Carry
Aug 26 | Guest Speaker
Living Transformed
Aug 19 | The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane
Be Careful
Aug 12 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
Nothing to Prove

Rector's Blog

Oct 11 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
WLSU, Unwelcome Beliefs
Oct 4 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
WLSU, Permission to Disagree
Sep 27 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
WLSU, Christian American
Sep 20 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
WLSU, I Love My Country
Sep 13 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
WLSU, Our Children

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer! We invite and welcome ALL to join us in worship and community. In addition to worship, we have a vibrant music community, a fun and welcoming community for children and youth, plus offerings for everyone from young adults to seniors, covering many varied interests.

The Rev. Philip DeVaul, Rector

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We love children, and children love Church of the Redeemer!

Children are at the heart of life at Church of the Redeemer. Children learn about the word of God through our Children's Christian Education programs; they are involved in worship services, they play music in our services, and they form lifelong friendships with each other through their experiences.

On Sundays we have an 8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I service, a 9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II service (which is also livestreamed), an 11:00 am Banquet Eucharist service and a 5:00 pm Celtic Eucharist service.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer Morning Prayer on our Online Worship Podcast.

On Wednesdays, we offer Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 6:00 pm in the Chapel.

The community of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer welcomes you! We are glad that you have chosen to explore your faith here and hope that this document can answer some of the questions you may have about Church of the Redeemer. We seek to be an open, inviting community. Our invitation to you is to join us as we grow in faith and reach out in love to others. At Church of the Redeemer we are always seeking to know Jesus and grow in love. We hope that in whatever ministries you undertake will strengthen your relationship with him through your ministry and fellowship here.

PARKING: Parking is on the street. Please pay attention to the signs indicating proper parking zones. Handicapped parking is available in the front on Erie, in the back parking lot, and on the south side of Raymar.

ACCESSIBLE REDEEMER: The front entrance has a ramp and there is an elevator inside the back door and to the left. Accessible restrooms are located in the Lobby inside the front entrance.

Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of Church of the Redeemer!

To give a one time gift, click the button below. To make a financial commitment for 2025, use the Commitment 2025 tab above.

Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Church of the Redeemer as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

The Church of the Redeemer is blessed to have received special gifts from parishioners who wanted Redeemer to have permanent savings to care for our facilities and to supplement our pledge income.

Such permanent savings are often called an “endowment.” The endowed funds are permanently set aside by donors or by the Vestry. Some of our donors have specified uses for their endowment gifts. A limited portion of the funds is distributed each year to supplement our general budget. All funds are invested with professional advice.

What about your connection to Redeemer changes the way you live in this world? Your financial commitment is a response to the work that God is doing with you here. It is a practical way to ensure that others are able to experience the relationships of holy connection and communion that are shaping your life.

For 2025, we ask that you make your commitment through regular scheduled electronic giving, if possible. Whether it be weekly or annually, giving electronically is a safe and sustainable way to ensure your continued financial support.

MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT NOW

Your planned legacy gift to the Church of the Redeemer is a practical way for you to empower generations to come. It is a powerful witness of faith, love, and gratitude. This type of gift recognizes the heritage left by those who came before us and acknowledges that we bear a responsibility to the future faithful - to insure the continuation of God’s work within and beyond Church of the Redeemer.