I’ve often heard the service of the acolyte being downplayed as “just lighting candles.” If that’s the case, why have them at all? And since we now have electricity, why have candles at all? For anyone in the congregation can flip the switch. Such denigration of acolyte service is unfortunate and ill-advised.

The Rev. Mark Surburg has written a helpful overview of celebrating the sacrament of the altar every Sunday: viewed in light of scripture, tradition, the Lutheran confessions, and contemporary American Lutheran practice.