The Church Calendar

1
The Church Calendar

• Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran Congregation 8th
  Grade

2
The Church Calendar

• Main points
• Be able to recite the main sections of the church
  calendar
• Be able to recite the main church holidays and
  their message
• Gain the knowledge that the purpose of church
  calendar is to communicate the message of
  salvation history

3
The Church Calendar

• We are all familiar with a yearly calendar. Why
  do we have them? How do we use them?
• When does the yearly calendar start? End?
• What is a fiscal calendar? When does it start and
  end?

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The Church Calendar

• What is a church calendar?
• A calendar that reminds us of important events in
  Christianity.
• When does it start? End?
• It starts with the first Advent Sunday which is
  in late November or early December
• It ends with Judgment Sunday

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The Church Calendar

• What is the purpose of the church calendar?
• Answer The church calendar is a guide that helps
  us focus proper attention on all aspects and
  events in the mystery of salvation. It balances
  them for us.

6
The Church Calendar

• The church calendar is divided into two parts. Do
  you know what they are?
• Festive
• The festive begins on Advent and ends on
  Pentecost. All the major festivals are included
  in the first half of the church year, and for
  that reason it is called festive.
• The festive season is constructed around the life
  and salvation mission of Jesus.

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The Church Calendar

• Non-festive
• Begins on the first Trinity Sunday and ends on
  Judgment Sunday.
• During the non-festive season the work of the
  Holy Spirit is examined. According to the third
  article of the Creed, the Holy Spirit continues
  the work of Christ in His kingdom.

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The Church Calendar

• The three greatest festival days are Christmas,
  Easter, and Pentecost.
• Christmas fulfills God the Fathers promise of a
  Savior.
• Easter celebrates Jesus fulfillment of the Law,
  His payment for our sins and His resurrection.
• Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy
  Spirit to teach, comfort, and guide.

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The Church Calendar

• Festive Season
• Advent Marks the beginning of the Church Year.
  Old Testament believers awaited the Messiahs
  first coming we await His second coming
• Christmas The birth of our Lord and Savior
• New Years Day celebrates the circumcision and
  name of Jesus
• Epiphany Celebrated on January 6. Recalls the
  visit of the Wise Men. Reminds us the salvation
  is for all people in all nations and all races.

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The Church Calendar

• Epiphany continued
• The Sundays after Epiphany point to the life and
  teaching of Jesus.
• Candlemas
• The celebration of Gods brightness or Light in
  Jesus. Commemorates the presentation of Jesus in
  the temple as prophesied by Malachi.Simeon saw
  the Savior as promised by God and revealed by the
  Holy Spirit.

11
The Church Calendar

• Lent
• Is 40 days before Easter
• It is a time of preparing our mind and heart to
  recall the suffering, death, and resurrection of
  Christ.
• Marys Day or Annunciation Day
• The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she
  would be the mother of Jesus.
• Jesus earthly life began in Marys womb.

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The Church Calendar

• Palm Sunday
• Marks the beginning of Passion Week
• Celebrates Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem
• Maundy Thursday
• Celebrates the institution of the Lords Holy
  Supper
• Jesus washes the disciples feet
• Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot

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The Church Calendar

• Good Friday
• Jesus dies on the cross for our sins
• Jesus sinless life is completed
• The two thieves are crucified with Him
• Easter
• Jesus resurrection from the dead
• Victor over sin, death, and hell

14
The Church Calendar

• Ascension Day
• Celebrates Christs ascension into heaven forty
  days after Easter. Jesus ascension was witnessed
  by the disciples and gives hope for us and His
  return.

15
The Church Calendar

• Non-Festive Season
• Rogation or Prayer Sunday
• Celebrates the inner speech of the heart with God
• Trinity Sunday
• Recognizes and celebrates the Triune and hidden
  God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit
• St. Johns Day
• Always on June 24.
• Celebrates Johns birth
• Recalls Johns mission to testify of Jesus as the
  Light of the world

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The Church Calendar

• Transfiguration Sunday
• Celebrates the glory of Christ and the
  resurrected new body
• Michaelmas Day
• Celebrates angels and children
• All Saints Day
• Always on November 1. Celebrates those who have
  gone to the rest of the children of God martyrs,
  saints, and all believers
• Judgment Sunday
• The last Sunday of the church year. Reminds us of
  the need to be watchful and ready.

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The Church Calendar

• Review
• What is the purpose of the church calendar?
• How many parts does it have?
• Name the parts
• What festive season is Good Friday in?
• Why do we celebrate it?
• What festive season is Michaelmas Day in?
• Why do we celebrate it?
• Is Judgment Sunday the first or last day of the
  church year?