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Advent / Christmas/ Epiphany- The
Church Year Begins at the end of November or first week of December,
the darkest times of the year. As we await Jesus coming, we prepare to celebrate the gift of incarnation -- God dwelling with us--in Jesus of
Nazareth. Waiting and preparing gives way to our celebration
of being a "visited people" and our contemplation of
God's
dwelling in us today. Epiphany brings us to sharing of that gift
of good news with all the world. Lighting the Advent Candles,
Greening the Sanctuary, Sharing the Story of this season though
dramatic and visual arts and song, and a Christmas Eve Candlelight
communion service are cherished traditions.
Baptism of Jesus & the Season of
our Calling to Discipleship- Jesus'
baptism is an iconic act of God's solidarity with humanity. This
season we focus on the stories of scripture that highlight God's
calling to all people. Call and response forms a persistent
pattern in worship and in our life of discipleship. Each of us
is invited to seek God's calling for our work, relationships, and for our building a community
here and now.
Lent /
Passion Week / Easter-
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning
of Lent as we share a simple meal in the evening, and share the ashes that
remind us of our mortality. The invitation to the observance of a holy
lent is about intentionality -- not a morbid or somber
season. The
Parade of Palm & Passion Sunday, Jesus' meal with friends on
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday reflections, Easter Vigil and the celebration
of the Resurrection on Easter
morning each shares a part of the story of God's
self-giving love that
confronts power with forgiveness and grace. The seven weeks of Easter
lead us deeper into the knowledge of the resurrection and prepare us
to receive God's Spirit. We celebrate as disciples the
realization that, "Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is
stronger that hate, Light is stronger than darkness, Life is stronger
that death, "and the sure knowledge that, "Victory is ours
through God who in Christ loves us."
Pentecost and the Season of Growing in
Faith and Practice- With the winds of Spirit blowing through locked doors to emboldened Christ's
followers and give birth to the Church, we too join God efforts
as we witness and grow in faith under the guidance of God's Holy
Spirit. The red & white of Pentecost remind us of the
Spirit
through symbols of flames and dove. The Summer schedule at
CHPC is rich with a variety of guest musicians as
the Choir takes time
off. Our Hospitality time finds us out on the front porch in the
nice weather surrounded in the glory of creation.
Summer on
the Lawn-
We gather from time to time in the
summer under the trees on the grounds of the church and remember how
stories of faith have been told for thousands of years in settings
such as this. Our grounds
speak of the glory of God in the whispering of the wind in the trees,
in the feast for the eyes, in the rain gardens that remind us that God
proclaimed creation, “Good.”
World Communion Sunday-
The first Sunday of October is a celebration of the
Lord's Supper in
which we lift up our unity with the Church worldwide. It is our
custom to receive an offering for peacemaking that day and to
designate a project in the life of the congregation dedicated to celebrating our calling to be
peacemakers.
All Saints Day-
We remember those who have died
within our community and
celebrate our continued
bonds with those past,
present, and future in the Communion of Saints.
Reign of Christ Sunday-
Each year we close of our church
calendar with reflection
on our stewardship and how we might live in
light of God's providence and sovereignty.
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