P
A
G
E
H
E
I
G
H
T
A
D
J
U
S
T
M
E
N
T
Worship
Observations about the Christian year.
Almost all Christians observe at least three days and two seasons of The Christian Year. Most Christians observe Good Friday, Easter and Christmas. And, most Christians observe Advent and Lent – or, at least, Holy Week.
In recent years, Baptists have joined the majority of Christ’s Church in observing the seasons of the Christian Year such as Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Maundy Thursday, and Pentecost Sunday.
For several decades, Shades Crest has celebrated Advent and Hanging of the Green. We have also gathered on Christmas Eve for a candlelight communion service. And, we have found meaning from special worship experiences on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. In recent years, we have also observed Epiphany and Pentecost Sunday.
Today, people are pulled in many directions and expected to express allegiance to diverse causes. The Christian Year provides a rhythm to life, proclaims truths and theological themes of the scriptures in a way that retells the Story of God’s covenant and redemption and focuses congregational life and energy on the person and ministry of Christ.
While we do not strictly adhere to all traditions associated with The Christian Year, in the life of Shades Crest, we do join Christians around the world pursuing faithful discipleship to Jesus Christ, while allowing the seasons of The Christian Year to guide us through the calendar. For Shades Crest, The Christian Year provides a course to guide our life together much in the same way that a cross country course or a 5k course provides a pathway for runners. The Christian Year reminds us that, through the course of our lives, we make many turns where our commitments to time and eternity intersect.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Related Links: