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Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. ( Psalm 25:4)


Did you know that even counting the offerings from Sunday morning worship is a sacred tradition in the church? YES! Everything we do in the name of Jesus… everything we do in the church… is a sacred moment for a spiritual reflection. There is a WHY to the things we do in church. At the same time there is also a point to where any responsible deed needs to be flexible enough and inviting enough to have people WANT to participate. Some times we place too many rules and regulations on a task we lose the sacredness and the joy
behind the responsibility. We forget what the main thing really is all about. Keep the main thing the main thing.

In one of my congregations, I remember when they had an issue getting anyone to volunteer or sign up to light the candles on the altar on Sunday morning. This church had two of those long candelabras with seven candles on each side of the altar and then two more candles on the altar. It was a big thing to light those candles. The
person was told they must wear a white robe and carry the light stick appropriately at the right time. They had the light the candles in an exact manner. The candles were to be lit beginning from the top candle on the left going down and then proceed to the right side and do the same thing. The lighting ended with the two candles on the altar from left to right. Then, before they were to sit down next to the pastor up on the chancel area behind the altar, they were to bow at the front of the altar out of respect. These steps were to be followed to the T or else you would not be welcomed to perform such a task again… which was why they couldn’t find anyone who wanted to light the candles any longer. There was such a negative aura around a joyous act of servanthood. My first thought was… why can’t we just let the kids light the damn candles and get the deed taken care of! And that was where we started a new TRADITION in the church.

I preached a few weeks ago about traditions and the importance of teaching the WHY in each tradition. Traditions are good as long as we know why it is that we do certain things and realize there is a committed spiritual sense to the task as well. I decided to teach my Confirmands ( 7 th -8 th graders) how to acolyte (this is what it is called when we invite people to light the altar candles.) They learned the WHY of acolyting and the honor behind the servanthood. They learned that wearing a white robe is an honor. White robes are frequently associated with purity and righteousness. They hold significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible.
The symbolism of white robes in the context of priestly service highlights the call for believers to live in holiness and dedication to God. It serves as a reminder of the sanctified life that Christians are to pursue, clothed in the righteousness of Christ and set apart for God’s purposes. In other words, it covers up our sinful natures when we are serving the Lord with pure hearts. This is also why pastors and lay assistants wear the robes during worship. I also invited those who wanted to light the candles and not wear the robes to be acolytes… in my eyes, as long as they were in church and were willing to help… it was a win for everybody! Sometimes the regulations get in the way of the tradition. Let those who want to serve… serve…and give them the grace to do so! Do you God cares how the candles are lit anyway?

We would be wise to carry this through to all traditions and positions of volunteerism in the church. There is the right way with rules and regulations and then there is the tradition and spirit of serving. Be permission givers and examples of the faith. Help share the responsibilities of the church with others allowing them to learn and
experience, in their own manner, the Spiritual side of serving our Lord. O Lord, teach us your ways! AMEN

Peace,
Pastor Tony