Holy Days, Holy Seasons

The Spiritual Life of the Church

2008

All Saints Day

Nov 2, 2008

Color: White

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 their honor, and as always join them in the Eucharistic feast. This is a great day for baptisms.

Advent

November 30 - December 24, 2008

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 4 – Feb 24, 2008

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 4) there will be a cake with a hidden ring, and a pinyata for the children. Wednesday Jan 7 there will be a Festival of Lights Service, which is a beautiful service led by the youth, where we light candles in thanksgiving for all of our ancestors until the chapel is filled with light.

Ash Wednesday

Feb 25, 2008

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 25 – April 5, 2008

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

April 5, 2008

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

April 9, 2008

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

April 10, 2008

Color: Black

Good Friday is the day we honor Jesus’ self-sacrificial death. St. Mary’s uses this opportunity to mourn for all that is broken and all who suffer in our world, usually through some creative use of art or drama. A volunteer team will be planning these services over the winter.

Children’s Easter Vigil

April 11, 2008 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

April 12, 2008 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 31, 2008

Color: Red

Wear red to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit blowing through the church!