Jim Aronen Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. Plant sale - May 20th
For other events, please see the Communications page and the Calendar.
|
|
The Season of Easter
The Season of Easter is actually a seven-week season of the church year called Eastertide, the Great Fifty Days, that begins at sundown the evening before the Easter Vigil and lasts for six more Sundays until Pentecost Sunday, May 27th. The Paschal Candle is lit at every service up to and including the Day of Pentecost. During Easter Season, the theme of worship is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Scripture readings during the Sundays of Easter are different, with readings from the Acts of the Apostles replacing readings from the Old Testament. This emphasizes that the church, as empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, is the best witness to the resurrection and the work of God in the world in Jesus the Christ. Color used in worship is especially important during the season of Easter. The change of color for Easter and the following Sundays helps communicate the movement of sacred time as well as personal faith journeys. For the Easter season, white symbolizes the hope of the resurrection, as well as the purity and newness that comes from victory over sin and death.
Accordingly, we adopt a unique style of worship for these 50 days until Pentecost Sunday. Most notably is the omission of the Confession and Absolution. The message of Easter is the message of forgiveness and pardon, of being fully reconciled to God in Christ. During the Season of Easter we will celebrate the forgiveness of God already given. We receive God's wonderful gifts to us and give thanks.
It is also appropriate to stand (as you are able) for all parts of the service during the Season of Easter. Kneeling is a posture of contrition, and standing is a more appropriate sign of the confidence we proclaim with our Easter message.
"Alleluias" are back! "Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!" forms the greeting in every service during Eastertide. "Alleluia! Alleluia!" is added to the Dismissal and the people's response is "Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia". These help to give the celebrations a distinctive festive feel. Come and celebrate the 50 days of Easter. We will share the journey and celebrate together. Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!!
|



