WORSHIP LECTIONARY
ADVENT: The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and comprises the four weeks before Christmas.
The church has observed a season of preparation before Christmas since the appearance of regulations on fasting issued by Bishop Perpetuus of Tours in 490 C.E. MORE...
Christmas:
The Christmas season celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation
of God. It lasts for 12 days, December 24 through January 5, the eve of
the Epiphany of our Lord. MORE...
Epiphany:
On the day of Epiphany, January 6, the church celebrates the revelation of
Christ to all nations as represented by the magi who come to worship Jesus.
The church calendar recognizes the season of Epiphany from January 6 until
the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday which is celebrated as the
Transfiguration of our Lord. The length of the season of Epiphany varies and
is determined by working backwards through the season of Lent from the
moveable date for the celebration of Easter.
MORE...
Lent: As
early as the mid-fourth century, Christians have observed a time of
preparation before the Easter celebration. The Lenten season begins on Ash
Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. The forty days of Lent recall the 40 day
fast of Jesus in the wilderness after his baptism (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2)
and Moses' 40 day fast on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). It is a time of
simplicity and preparation. MORE...
The
Three Days: Maundy Thursday is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels.
Good Friday (from the senses pious, holy of the word "good") is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Vigil of Easter is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter. It commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body laid in the tomb. MORE...
Easter:
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to
the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his
crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday (also
Resurrection Sunday). The chronology of his death and resurrection is
variously interpreted to have occurred between AD 26 and 36. Easter marks
the end of Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The
last week of the Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains Good Friday,
commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus.MORE...
Pentecost:
On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, the church celebrates the
gift of the Holy Spirit and the mission of God extending to the whole human
family. MORE...