Holy Days, Holy Seasons
The Spiritual Life of the Church
2008
All Saints Day
Nov 4, 2007
Color: Red
We come together this day to remember our ancestors who have gone before us. We gather their names in prayer, tie ribbons on a trellis in honor of them, and as always join them in the Eucharistic feast. This is a great day for baptisms.
Advent
December 2 - 23, 2007
Color: purple
As we wait for the light of Christ to be born into the world at Christmas, we hear the stories of Mary and Elizabeth and John the Baptist. Like a seed deep underground in winter, this is a time to tend new possibilities inside of us that wait to be born.
Christmas Eve
Dec 24, 4 – 5 pm and 10:00 – 11:30 pm
Color: white
God becomes incarnate this Holy Night. Come to the early service for a children’s Christmas Pageant. The later service begins with a musical prelude. Both are full Eucharistic services, and we conclude with the singing of Silent Night by candlelight.
Epiphany
Jan 6 – Feb 5
Color: green
This six-week season is all about journeys, as we follow the wise men to the star, and follow the early portions of Jesus’ ministry. On the Day of Epiphany (Jan 6) there will be a cake with a hidden ring, and a pinyata for the children. Wednesday Jan 5 there will be a Festival of Lights Service.
Ash Wednesday
Feb 6
Color: Black
This service marks the beginning of Lent. We gather together to remember that we are mortal, only on this earth for a short time. Being lovers of symbols, we do that by having a priest put the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes. This year the youth of the church play a significant part of the leadership of this solemn service.
Lent
Feb 6 – March 16
Color: purple
These 40 days are a time to shed all in our lives that keep us from fully loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves. Penitential in tone, we meditate on Jesus’ journey to his death. Some use this time to recommit themselves to lives of prayer and service.
Palm Sunday
March 16
Color: Red
We begin with the Gospel reading about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, then process with palm branches into the church singing a hearty “All Glory Laud and Honor”. Using many readers, we will retell the story of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, then celebrate the Eucharist.
Maundy Thursday
March 20
Color: Red
This is the night Jesus shared the last meal with his friends and washed their feet. He then went into the garden to pray, asking for the cup to be taken from him, and the gut-wrenching acceptance that led to his own death. After Eucharist the church will be cleared of all that is beautiful and shiny, and we will leave in silence.
Good Friday
March 21 Solemn Collects: noon and 5:30
Theatre Presentation 7:30
Color: Black
The traditional Good Friday service of Solemn Collects will happen twice, once at noon and again at 5:30. We will then eat a simple soup supper together and make some micro-loans to support the Millennium Development Goals. After dinner we gather back in the church for a one-man play about the life of Christ, performed by Jay Hornbacher.
Children’s Easter Vigil
March 22 4-5:30pm
Color: Black, then white
This Easter service is translated into a language and ritual especially intriguing for children. There is much movement and interaction as we dramatize the Hebrew stories and discover the empty tomb and gather around the feasting table and carry the Good News into the world. It is an energetic, sometimes chaotic, visceral first celebration of Easter.
Easter Sunday
March 23 8 & 10am
Color: white
Lillies, Alleluias, people all dressed up – join us in giving joyful thanksgivings to our God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Pentecost
May 15
Color: Red
Wear red to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit blowing through the church! This year we will make a grand procession around the block, with a big dove kite and children with individual kites!
