LentWe are now in the season of Lent, which means "lengthening," referring to the lengthening days of spring. It is the purple season of preparation for Easter. We begin Lent on Ash Wednesday, when we re-trace the crosses made on our foreheads, at our baptism, with water; we re-trace them with ashes made from burning the palm branches from Palm Sunday. The remainder of Lent follows Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, where he would die for the whole world.
Have you used the My Church Words coloring book? Copies are available in the Lounge. Photos illustrate church words every Episcopalian should know. Help your child(ren) identify the "real thing" during worship. And have you studied the new Ornamental Glass brochure? Its another great way to engage your child(ren) in church by showing them the meaning of the things that are all around them. About Episcopal WorshipThe Episcopal Church follows a liturgical tradition. This means, in part, that we focus on different themes at different times of the church year. From Advent through Pentecost (the right-hand side of the chart, above) we focus on the events of Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension. The other half of the year (the left-hand side of the chart, above) is the season following Pentecost, when we focus on Jesus' teachings.
You will see another version of the chart hanging on the wall in All Saints' Chapel, where the Family Service meets each Sunday. We always note where we are in the church year. The Bible readings for each Sunday follow themes of the church year, but we always have Communion together. The Holy Eucharist is the central act of worship in the Episcopal Church. It remembers Jesus' final supper with his friends (see image, above); it celebrates who we are today, and it looks forward to our all being together again in heaven. |