December is a month of joyful anticipation with each Sunday leading the community of faith closer to the manger. The season of Advent continues with the fellowship studying the prophets in preparation for the celebration of the nativity of the Messiah. The nave is wreathed in evergreen and the chancel continues to be vested in royal purple. An additional candle is lit on the Advent wreath on successive Sundays with readings celebrating Christ the Way, Christ our Joy, and the Prince of Peace. The role of John the Baptist as herald of the Messiah is recognized for the second and third Sundays of Advent, then the events leading up to the birth of the Holy Child sets the tone for the last Sunday of the season. Seasonal banners may be added on each successive Sunday. Additional worship visuals for the season could include a Chrismon tree and a Jesse tree. The Chrismon tree is an evergreen tree covered with white monograms of Christ (Chrismons) while the Jesse tree is decorated with symbols of the ancestors of Jesus. The Christmas season begins on Christmas eve and continues until the Day of Epiphany. On Christmas eve, the altar vestments change to white and gold befitting the coming of the infant King. The Chrismon tree remains, joined by nativity scenes, a Christmas star, angels, poinsettias, and roses. Some fellowships choose to end the calendar year and prepare for the coming year with a Watch Night Service which can include the profoundly moving Covenant Renewal Service. May the joys of the season gladden your hearts!
Resource: The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Why Do the Colors on the Communion Table Change?
It’s a simple, reasonable question deserving a simple, reasonable answer. The short answer is that the Christian year is divided into seasons and each season has its own colors. Within each season may be special days and festival days which are signified by colors, too. So, the colors change according to the season and the occasion.
The long answer is that worship is designed to be a multisensory experience. We stand, we sit, we sing, we pray, we listen, we speak, we commune with each other and with the Spirit. The environment in which we worship contains a variety of elements–things like the beautiful stained glass windows, banners, the sermon, the music, the paraments in the chancel-- which can inform and inspire us. Many may change according to the season or the occasion.
November is a month of ending and beginning in the life of the Church. The month begins with All Saints Sunday. The suggested vestment colors for this day are either the celebratory colors of white or gold, or the color red, in remembrance of martyred saints. The chancel and clergy will be vested in the green of Ordinary Time for the second and third Sundays in November. The fourth Sunday in November brings about the end of the Christian year with Christ the King Sunday when the chancel will be vested in white.
The new Christian year begins on the fifth Sunday in November which is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is the season in the Christian year which proclaims the comings of the Christ and calls the Church to prepare for these comings. The chancel is vested in either the royal purple or blue, for hope. The Advent wreath, evergreens, and banners adorn the worship space as visual celebrations of the season. Advent continues until Christmas with each Sunday having its own theme. The first Sunday in Advent, traditionally, celebrates Christ’s coming in final victory. Advent is more than just the “countdown” to Christmas; it provides us with opportunities to prepare our hearts through study and worship for the Coming King.
Why do the colors change? ‘Tis the season! Happy Christian New Year!
Source: The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN.
The long answer is that worship is designed to be a multisensory experience. We stand, we sit, we sing, we pray, we listen, we speak, we commune with each other and with the Spirit. The environment in which we worship contains a variety of elements–things like the beautiful stained glass windows, banners, the sermon, the music, the paraments in the chancel-- which can inform and inspire us. Many may change according to the season or the occasion.
November is a month of ending and beginning in the life of the Church. The month begins with All Saints Sunday. The suggested vestment colors for this day are either the celebratory colors of white or gold, or the color red, in remembrance of martyred saints. The chancel and clergy will be vested in the green of Ordinary Time for the second and third Sundays in November. The fourth Sunday in November brings about the end of the Christian year with Christ the King Sunday when the chancel will be vested in white.
The new Christian year begins on the fifth Sunday in November which is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is the season in the Christian year which proclaims the comings of the Christ and calls the Church to prepare for these comings. The chancel is vested in either the royal purple or blue, for hope. The Advent wreath, evergreens, and banners adorn the worship space as visual celebrations of the season. Advent continues until Christmas with each Sunday having its own theme. The first Sunday in Advent, traditionally, celebrates Christ’s coming in final victory. Advent is more than just the “countdown” to Christmas; it provides us with opportunities to prepare our hearts through study and worship for the Coming King.
Why do the colors change? ‘Tis the season! Happy Christian New Year!
Source: The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Hands to Work; Hearts to God!
Welcome fellow sacristans!
Late last year, my Director of Music Ministries asked me to organize an Altar Guild for our congregation. I had no clue where to begin, but have been guided by wise friends, lay and clergy, the Lord has sent my way. I've come to know a lovely group of sisters in Christ (brothers would be welcome, too!) who are blessed with the opportunity to offer seemingly mundane gifts to the Lord. I'll never forget a conversation with one of the sisters, while filling Communion cups, about how she enjoyed ironing. That day, she joyfully took home the veils and palls and, when they returned to the sacristy, they were snowy and crisply smooth. What a blessing it is to be able to take something you enjoy, even something simple, and offer it as a gift of love to our Lord!
As for me, my gift is polishing brass. Somehow, as I wipe away the dirt and the oils and the stains that mar the finish, my mind focuses on the Lord and the work He is doing in my life to wash away the dirt and stains. It is an oasis of calm for me in a hectic world.
The Sacristy is a place for sharing information, knowledge, and blessings. The direction we take is up to you. I'll start the discussion:
How has serving in the sacristy blessed you?
Peace,
Nancy
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