The Church Year
By observing the seasons of the church year, we make sure we celebrate and are reminded of the main events and teachings of Jesus each year.
Advent
Advent is the first season of the church year. It starts at the end of November and continues until Christmas. Advent means “coming” and is a time of quiet reflection in preparation for Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and his second coming at the end of the world.
Christmas
Christmas is the shortest season of the church year. It is only 12 days long during which we celebrate Jesus’ coming as true God and true man to save the world from sin.
Epiphany
Epiphany is a Greek word that means “appearing.” During this season we celebrate Jesus’ making himself known as the Savior of the world, first to the wise men with the star that led them to him as a child, later to his disciples as he began his ministry.
Lent
Lent is six weeks before Easter where we meditate on the serious nature of our sins and reflect on the love of Jesus who endured the cross for us, being punished in our place.
Easter
Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ rising from the dead to prove to us that his work of saving us is accomplished. This season is a wonderful and joyful celebration after the solemn and sorrowful season of Lent. We rejoice that because Jesus rose from the dead, we too shall rise.
Pentecost
The season of Pentecost begins 50 days after Easter and covers the remaining half of the church year. During Pentecost we focus on the teachings of Christ and their application to us.
Advent
Advent is the first season of the church year. It starts at the end of November and continues until Christmas. Advent means “coming” and is a time of quiet reflection in preparation for Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and his second coming at the end of the world.
Christmas
Christmas is the shortest season of the church year. It is only 12 days long during which we celebrate Jesus’ coming as true God and true man to save the world from sin.
Epiphany
Epiphany is a Greek word that means “appearing.” During this season we celebrate Jesus’ making himself known as the Savior of the world, first to the wise men with the star that led them to him as a child, later to his disciples as he began his ministry.
Lent
Lent is six weeks before Easter where we meditate on the serious nature of our sins and reflect on the love of Jesus who endured the cross for us, being punished in our place.
Easter
Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ rising from the dead to prove to us that his work of saving us is accomplished. This season is a wonderful and joyful celebration after the solemn and sorrowful season of Lent. We rejoice that because Jesus rose from the dead, we too shall rise.
Pentecost
The season of Pentecost begins 50 days after Easter and covers the remaining half of the church year. During Pentecost we focus on the teachings of Christ and their application to us.
What do the different colors we use in church mean?
White
The color of purity, perfection, eternity, and joy. Used on festival days like Christmas and Easter.
Red
The color of zeal (fire) and martyrdom (blood). Used on days when we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit in zealous and faithful believers.
Green
The color of life, refreshment, regeneration. Used most during the Sundays after Pentecost to remind us of the growth of our faith and the church as we hear Christ’s teaching.
Purple
The color of royalty, but also of sorrow and repentance. Used during Lent.
Black
The color or mourning, humility, and death. Used on Good Friday.
Blue
The color of hope and anticipation. Used during Advent.
The color of purity, perfection, eternity, and joy. Used on festival days like Christmas and Easter.
Red
The color of zeal (fire) and martyrdom (blood). Used on days when we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit in zealous and faithful believers.
Green
The color of life, refreshment, regeneration. Used most during the Sundays after Pentecost to remind us of the growth of our faith and the church as we hear Christ’s teaching.
Purple
The color of royalty, but also of sorrow and repentance. Used during Lent.
Black
The color or mourning, humility, and death. Used on Good Friday.
Blue
The color of hope and anticipation. Used during Advent.
