LITURGICAL or CHURCH CALENDAR

THE LITURGICAL or CHURCH CALENDAR
    
In our busy world we all use something to help us create order out of potential chaos. One of the main ways we do that is through calendars. Maybe yours in on your phone or device. Perhaps you like me prefer the pen and pencil kind. We are creatures of habit, and the calendar can inform us of the day and what is expected on that day.
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Some Protestant Denominations use the Liturgical/Church calendar which is divided into 5 to 8 seasons. Each season comes with corresponding colours and images. NACC has been partially following the Liturgical Calendar which begins with Advent. At NACC we observe in varying degrees Advent, Christmas Day, Lent, Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.

Referring to the Church Calendar gives direction to how we decorate. For example, you might have noticed all the green up front. This is because now is Ordinary Time and the corresponding colour is green. Ordinary Time occurs twice in the Liturgical Calendar. One is between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday and the other is between Pentecost and Advent. 

During the first Ordinary Time we continue celebrating the revelation of Jesus, the Messiah, the light piercing the darkness. We also celebrate the uniqueness of Christ. The colour associated with this season is green. Green represents life and growth. Ordinary Time allows us to focus more on Jesus and our relationship with him.

Sometimes the liturgy is referred to as “service” of “formal ritual” which may or may not be elaborate. It may also be totally spontaneous or extremely structures. A liturgy is a way for us to worship God but also to hear from him. Here at NACC, I believe we do have a liturgy or what we call the “order of service” that is meant to bring us into God’s presence. 

We can also use the liturgical calendar in our devotions. It may help to give some structure to our time with God in prayer and Bible reading.

My hope is that incorporating aspects of a liturgical calendar we may celebrate the whole story of God and our place in it.

Next time: liturgical clothing