We are thankful that many of you have faithfully and generously given to the endowments at PUMC. Because you donated to the Worship Endowment, the Committee was able to fund a special grant to the Altar Guild, which allowed us to purchase new candles for our altar.
You may have noticed that each candlestick has three steps as its base. These steps symbolize the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Candles represent Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12). Having two candles on our altar reminds us that Jesus was human and God. We light the Christ candle first (on the right) to invite God’s presence into our lives and seek His guidance and protection. It serves as a reminder that the Holy Spirit is coming into the presence of our worshipping community. The candle on the left is the gospel candle, which should never be lit alone. It is the second candle we light but the first to be extinguished at the end of a service.
After the gospel candle has been extinguished at the end of the service, an acolyte will relight the candlelighter from the Christ candle before extinguishing the flame. This light is carried out of the sanctuary to show that Jesus Christ is for all people everywhere and that His light is going into the world where believers are to serve. Go, and let your light shine!
Plainfield UMC Today 