Church Seasons
The church has divided the calendar year into seasons revolving around the life of Jesus. Church seasons add depth to our journey of faith. We invite you to engage the larger, historical and meaningful seasonal rhythm of the church.
Advent:
Advent marks the four-week season of great expectation and joy before the celebration of the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. It has a threefold meaning for Christians today: the arrival of God coming to earth in fully human form as Christ, the coming of the Lord in Word and Spirit, and the coming of the Lord in glory at the end of the age. It is, therefore, a time when the church reflects on the historical event of Christ's birth, looks around at the revelation of Christ in scripture and experience today, and looks ahead to Christ's return at the end of time. The lighting of a wreath with four candles has become custom. A single candle is lit each week representing hope, peace, love and joy until all four are burning on Christmas Day to proclaim that the Light of the World has come. The seasonal color is blue.
Christmas:
December 25 is the day we celebrate the birth of Christ. It is one of the most significant days of the church calendar. So important is this day that it is followed by twelve days of celebration (hence the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"), and thankfulness for the goodness of God. Christmas is marked by reading the account of Christ's birth as found in Chapter 2 of Luke and in the giving of gifts as representations of God's greatest gift to the world, His Son. The seasonal color is white.
Epiphany:
Epiphany begins on January 6 and marks the visit of the Magi, or wise-men, who followed the star that led them to the baby Christ. Epiphany literally means 'to show' or 'to make known.' It refers to these men revealing to the world that the Christ-child is Lord and King. Just as the magi were, the whole world is called to worship Jesus. The season of Epiphany lasts until Lent. The seasonal color is green.
Lent:
Lent is a time of communal self-examination in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, and culminates with Holy Week. The seasonal color is purple.
Ash Wednesday:
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent with a service using the Old Testament practice of placing ashes on the head as a sign of humility before God. This is a sign of mourning at the death brought about by sin.
Holy Week:
Holy Week immediately precedes before Easter and marks the passion and death of Jesus. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and the vigil held by Jesus and his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Good Friday marks the trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. Holy Saturday is a day of rest and contemplation of the darkness of a world without hope, a world apart from God's grace and redemption.
Easter:
Easter is the most significant milestone in the church calendar. Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus, the event that "changes everything." Easter Sunday is followed by a season of hope and praise to the risen Christ lasting until Pentecost. The seasonal color is white.
Pentecost:
Pentecostfalls fifty days after Easter and marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit from heaven to all believers. It is described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2. Jesus' promise of a wonderful counselor comes to fruition with the Holy Spirit, available to everyone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples while they were gathered in Jerusalem, and they were empowered to preach to people who had come to Jerusalem from every nation. It is recorded that about 3,000 were added to their number that day. Christians since have considered this event to be the founding of the church. It is the longest church season and lasts until the beginning of Advent. The seasonal color is green.