Seasons and Special Services
Since its beginning, the Christian Church has celebrated the different seasons of the calendar year as a form of worship to the God who created them. Each season of the liturgical year has its own mood and focus, all of which shape us into God's image every day of the year.
Photo: Nativitá, Gentile da Fabriano
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AdventThough the calendar year begins in January, the Church has historically recognized the season around Jesus' birth (December 1-25) as the start of the Christian year. Advent (literally, "coming") is a time of preparation for the arrival of Our Lord. The Christmas Candlelight and Christmas Eve services reflect the serene excitement of the Advent season through offerings of instrumental music, hymns, Scripture reading, and stillness.
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Photo: Christ in Gethsemane, Michael D. O'Brien
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LentDuring the season of Lent, a penitential season of sacrifice and reflection, the Church enters into the suffering of Christ Himself. The forty days of Lent begin with the Ash Wednesday service when we each decide from what we will fast (sweets, excessive TV, etc.) and on what we will feast (prayer, patience, etc.). The Lenten season ends with the services of Holy Week: Palm Sunday, reenacting Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a traditional Jewish Passover Meal on the evening of Palm Sunday, naming Jesus as the Passover Lamb, Good Friday, a somber service of remembering what Christ has done on the cross, and, finally...
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Easter and PentecostEaster Sunday! Easter Sunday is the penultimate celebration of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ has risen indeed, defeating death forever, bringing us with Him into God's holy embrace. At COTS, Easter Sunday is the most joyous Sunday of the year, filled with music, dancing, flag twirling, you name it, all in worshipful celebration to Our God. The celebration begins with a Sunrise Service outdoors followed by a potluck breakfast together. We continue celebrating during the regular worship service. This celebration lasts seven weeks long all the way to Pentecost Sunday where we celebrate God sending the life-giving Holy Spirit to the Apostles and giving birth to the Church.
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Ordinary TimeOrdinary Time follows the seasons of Advent and Easter. Though these two periods of time do not have any special services associated with them, Ordinary Time is still recognized as an important season of the Christian Year, celebrating the mystery of Christ not just in times of excitement, but also in the beauty of the mundane; not just in one aspect, but in all aspects.
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