WORSHIP THROUGH THE CHURCH YEAR

The royal color of blue in our sanctuary begins the Church Year in Advent, a word that means “coming”. During the four Sundays of Advent, we hear the silence of the prophets and experience the breathless waiting of the Israelites hoping for a Messiah. We also worship on Wednesdays during Advent. We use the four candles of the Advent wreath to mark the passage of time and reflect on Christs coming as the light of the world.

In the season of Christmas, we change the sanctuary colors to White and Gold, a celebration of the purity of the infant who was born in a manger, and yet a King with all the splendor of God, coming to dwell with his people. Christmas Eve is glorious as we sing favorite carols, hear the treasured scripture passages, and light individual candles – longing for the Christ child to come. Christmas Day is both the culmination of the waiting of the Advent season, and the beginning of twelve days of celebration as we rejoice in the gift of our Savior and the daily rebirth of grace in our own lives.

In the season of Epiphany, which means ‘to make known’, we remember the ways and events through which God was made known, or revealed, through Jesus Christ. The colors of Epiphany are usually the colors of Christmas, white and gold, reminding us of celebration, newness, and hope that mark the most sacred days of the church year. The feast of Epiphany concludes the twelve days of the Christmas season with a celebration of God’s glory revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Like the light of the star that guided the magi to Jesus, the light of Christ reveals who we are: children of God who are claimed and washed in the waters of baptism. We are sent out to be beacons of the light of Christ, sharing the good news of God’s love to all people.

The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday. With ashes on our foreheads and the reminder that “you are dust and to dust you shall return”, the sanctuary colors turn to a somber purple and finally to black. Throughout the six weeks of Lent, we walk with Jesus during his three years of ministry, relearning the faces and names of people who, like you and me, were sometimes faithful and sometimes not. Lent is a season that calls us to reflect on our life and humble ourselves before our God. We worship on both Wednesdays and Sundays during Lent.

The season of Lent culminates in Holy Week. We begin with Palm Sunday and the joyful palm strewn entry of the Messiah-King to Jerusalem. Jesus washes the disciple’s feet and shares a last meal with them on Maundy Thursday, giving his disciples and us the command to love one another as he has loved us. The term, Maundy Thursday, means ‘a new commandment I give to you’. On Good Friday, the most somber day of the church year, the crowd, who only days before welcomed him now yells “Crucify him.” Jesus suffers death on the cross, and then we wait.

Christ is risen, Alleluia! The colors change to white and gold to portray the purity and kingliness of our Risen Savior. Easter lilies adorn the sanctuary. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love. Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. The fifty days of Easter show us with the new life and new hope that the Risen Savior brings to all people who open their hearts to him.

Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Red is the color of Pentecost and reminds us of the tongues of fire which descended upon the followers of Jesus, sending them out in the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is considered the birth of the church. We often hold confirmation on Pentecost, asking the power of the Holy Spirit to descend upon our youth as they affirm for themselves the promises made for them at baptism.

The word “ordinary” does not mean “routine” or “not special.” Instead, it refers to the “ordinal numbers” which are used to name and count the over thirty Sundays between Pentecost and Advent. During ordinary time, we focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, reminding us of the ordinary times of life when ordinary people, just like you and me, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do extraordinary things to build the Kingdom of God. The color green reminds us of growth in our relationship with God in our ordinary lives. At Good Shepherd, during the long days of summer, we often do a sermon series. Recent series have included congregation book studies by Richard Rohr and Tish Harrison Warren, as well as an Old Testament Series called “Weave Us Together”.

In early October we gather outside on a Saturday morning to worship and give thanks for the creatures in our lives. The Blessing of the Animals service is held outdoors. After a quick service for the humans, we bless the creatures (and give them a treat!). It’s a favorite service!

On the last Sunday in October, we gather to remember the reformer, Martin Luther. Through him we learn that God loved us first, and God continues to shower us with unlimited and free grace and mercy. We sing with gusto the classic song written by Luther; A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

Celebrated the first Sunday in November, we gather for worship and remember the saints who have gone before and the saints who are with us now. We toll a bell and light a candle for all who have passed in the previous year and inspire us to live holy lives.

On this the final Sunday of the church year, we are reminded that God is with us through all the seasons of life. We gather to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet we await the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds.