AUMC

Information from Children's Moments:

 

Acolyte means “follower” or “attendant” and was a term given to those seeking to become pastors. Although most acolytes do not go on to be pastors, they are needed because “worship is a group event where all come together offering their gifts and talents and skills and abilities in the praise of God". Acolytes are needed because their learning and skills as worship leaders are needed.”

 

The candles are used in worship to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.   Then there is the Gospel side and Epistle side of the altar.  The Gospel side is the left side of the church because traditionally that is where the person reading the Gospel stood.  And because the gospels are where we read about Jesus, that side is the “Christ candle.”  The Epistle side (or right side) is where all other books of the Bible were read and thus that candle is not Christ but everything and everyone else.

 

So when lighting the altar candles, the acolyte is to light the candle on the left first and the right candle last.  In turn, when extinguishing the candles, the right one is put out first and then the left one. 

 

Source: Acolyte Handbook by Ralph R. Van Loon