The Church Year is a classic framework employed by millions of Christians worldwide to focus on the life of Christ in real time. As an complimentary alternative to the civil calendar, the Church calendar has served to help congregations remember and be transformed by the major events of Jesus’ life.

Linking our worship, devotion, instruction, and practice to the cycle of the Christian year provides a wealth of benefits to the spiritual journey of individuals, families, and congregations. To begin with, it enables us to “track with” the thoughts and sermons of tens of thousands of other congregations who share in reflecting on Jesus’ life and work through the Christian year. Furthermore, it helps us avoid scattered and arbitrary emphases since we link our reading and services to the horizon of texts provided by the Revised Common Lectionary. It opens us up to the vast devotional, sermonic, and teaching resources available keyed to the Christian year. In addition, you will be drawn into closer fellowship with the ancient tradition of the earliest Christians, who focused so joyfully on the victorious work of Christ as the destroyer of evil and restorer of creation. Above all, with its focus on the story of Christ and his working in the Church, your Christian year reflection will bring you back to the Storyline that lies at the foundation of the Church’s worship and mission–the story of Jesus. The Christian year can enable you to walk to his beat with a new rhythm, a beat whose pulse pounds counter to those rhythms thumping so loudly in civil calendars and in secular society.

Church Year Resources to Share this Biblical Vision of our Lord!

Devotional of the month
As a part of our own spiritual formation programming, TUMI organizes its spiritual exercises around an annual theme. This theme serves to integrates our practice of the disciplines, the lectionary and church year calendar, and our special days of observance. Each month Dr. Davis will post a devotional that focuses our attention on our annual theme, highlighting an element of it. Follow along, and be refreshed with us!

Book of the month
Certain works are so inspiring and significant for us that we must share them with our friends. Each month we will highlight a book we deem worthy of your consideration and reflection. We’ll briefly summarize its contents, and tell you why you ought to read it, and share it in your small group and church library.

2009-2010 Church Year Calendar: The Wondrous Cross
In the history of the Church, no other symbol has been so vital to faith, devotion, and worship as the Cross, the visual representation of the Tree on which our Savior died for the sins of the world. Our 2009-2010 Church Year calendar highlights some of the ways in which the Cross has been depicted in worship settings of the Church from ancient times to the present. In many ways, the Cross has become shorthand for the Christ event, a kind of symbolic summary of the central and controlling truth of the incarnation and the victory over sin, Satan, death, and evil. We cover the various themes of the Church Year through the varied lenses of the Cross, following the Church’s devotional heart as it has sought to understand the major events of Jesus’ life through the years.

The Wondrous Cross calendar focuses on retrieving some of these major symbolic meanings captured in the Church's worship through the centuries.  As much a historic commentary on the symbolic representations of the Cross as time calendar, this piece contains an intriguing set of stunning images giving testimony to the richness of the symbol of the Cross in the Church's worship and life. As usual, the calendar includes commentary on the Church Year's various seasons and events, along with the readings of the Revised Common Lectionary Scripture reading guide.  Purchase your 2009-2010 Church Year calendar today and join us as we survey the wondrous cross this upcoming year!

Through the Bible In One Year-Chronologically!
Reading through the Bible each year is a sound discipline, but also reading the Scriptures in the order that the events occurred can make that reading even more enlightening! We have produced a through-the-Bible in one year guide with its content organized in chronological order. Adapted from the superb Tyndale House edition of the The One Year Chronological Bible (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000), this guide follows the Church Year's time schedule, starting on November 29, 2009 (i.e., the start of Year C, the 2009-2010 Church Year) and ends the readings November 27, 2010. Designed for portability, this attractive guide features the colors corresponding to the seasons and special days of the Church Year). You can now read through the entire Bible in one year as you journey through the events of Christ's work in the world, from the promise of his coming during Advent to the celebration of coming again in the Reign of Christ the King. Get your copy, and read through the Scripture in the order the events happened, and rediscover the Bible's true meaning--the salvation of God in the story of Christ.

Church Year Seasons and Celebrations

Church Year Seasons and Celebrations Summary
The Church Year begins with the birth of Christ (Advent to Epiphany). Next, it focuses on the revelation of his mission to the world (Epiphany and Transfiguration). It reminds us that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem and the cross (Ash Wednesday and Lent). It chronicles his final week, his crucifixion, and his resurrection (Holy Week). It affirms his Ascension to the Father’s right hand in glory (Ascension Day). It celebrates the birth of his Church through the ministry of his Spirit (Pentecost). It remembers the history of his Church throughout the ages (All Saints Day). Finally, it acknowledges that at his return, Christ will reign supreme as Lord and King over all (Reign of Christ the King). Advent both ends the cycle and begins it again. It looks forward to his Second Coming as the conclusion of the Church Year but also prepares to remember again his First Coming and thus starts the Church Year afresh.

Church Year Season
What is the current season of the Church Year, and why is it important! Find out here, and then celebrate the Church Year with us!

Church Year Colors outline
This document shows the Church Year seasons and its colors.

Church Year Services

Church Year Writeup on the Season of Advent
A season of anticipation and repentance which focuses on the First and Second Comings of Christ. The dual focus means that Advent both begins and ends the Christian year, (Is. 9:1-7, 11:1-16; Mk. 1:1-8).

Advent anticipates the First and Second Comings of our Lord. God's prophets foretold his Coming, and angels announced his birth to Mary and the shepherds. We affirm God's promise fulfilled in the arrival of Messiah in Bethlehem.

• Anticipation: 1st Week – The Advent wreath reminds us of God’s eternal love, without a beginning, without an end. The Candles reminds us of Christ’s light coming into the world. We light the first candle looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, Emmanuel, God-with-us.

• Annunciation: 2nd Week – We light the second candle to announce the birth of the Savior King, as the angel Gabriel announced to Mary, and the angels announced to the shepherds.

• Affirmation: 3rd Week – We light the third candle recognizing the fulfillment of God’s promise of our salvation.

• Arrival: 4th Week – We light the fourth candle in celebration of the arrival of the baby, born in a stable at Bethlehem, whose name is Immanuel, God-with-us.

A celebration of the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, the Word made flesh in the world. It celebrates the birth of Christ. (Lk. 2:1-20).

Christmas celebrates the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, the Word made flesh. He enters the world to reveal the Father’s love to humankind, to destroy the devil's work, and to redeem his people from their sins.

At Christmas, believers worldwide celebrate the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, the Lord Jesus Christ. Together we affirm that Jesus was--and is--God's only begotten Son, the Word made flesh, and the human son of the Virgin Mary. In him we see the love of God revealed for all humankind. He is God’s mystery that causes broken hearts to marvel and rejoice. This little child would fulfill the prophecy of a Savior who, by dying and rising, would conquer humanity's mortal enemy, the devil, free us from sin’s bondage and curse, and restore creation under the reign of God. "Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her King!"

Church Year Writeup on the Celebration of Christmas

The Feast of Epiphany on January 6 commemorates the coming of the Magi which reveals Christ’s mission to the world. The entire season of Epiphany then emphasizes the way in which Christ revealed himself to the world as the Son of God, (Lk. 2:32; Mt. 17:1-6; Jn. 12:32).

Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi, who followed the star in search of the Christ child. The season emphasizes Christ’s mission to and for the world. The light of God’s salvation is revealed to all peoples in the person of Jesus, the Son of God.

The Baptism of the Lord: The commemoration of Baptism of the Lord celebrates and remembers Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptizer at the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus’ true identity as Messiah and Lord was revealed by the Holy Spirit’s descent upon him in the form of a dove, and the Father’s testimony concerning him, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” (Matt. 3.17).

Transfiguration Sunday: “Recalls the Transfiguration of Christ on the last Sunday of Epiphany (which is the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our lenten journey).” Robert Webber. The glory of Christ manifest in this world – to us and through us.

Church Year Writeup on the Season After Epiphany

Church Year Writeup on Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday: A day of fasting and repentance that reminds us that we are disciples about to begin the journey with Jesus that ends in the cross (Lk. 9:51). Ash Wednesday begins the observance of Lent.

Lent: A time for reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus. Lent also emphasizes “death to self” so that, like Jesus, we prepare ourselves to obey God no matter what sacrifice it involves. Lenten observance calls for people to fast as a way of affirming this attitude of obedience (Lk. 5:35; 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Tim. 2:4; Heb. 11:1-3).

The Lenten season, a forty-day period starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Thursday of Holy Week, calls us to reflect on Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and death. Following our Lord, let us prepare ourselves on the way of the Cross for full obedience to God.

Church Year Writeup on Holy Week
“In the ancient church the three days [of the Paschal Triduum] started on Thursday evening and ended with the great Paschal vigil of Saturday night. These services are called the Paschal Triduum [or, the Three Great Days] ... They are the most holy, solemn, and serious days of the entire year. For in these days we experience and encounter our own destiny in the destiny of Christ ignominious death and burial and in his triumphant resurrection from the dead.” Robert Webber, Ancient Future Time. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004, p. 125.

Holy Week recalls the events of Christ's suffering and death. We recall his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his giving of the commandments on Maundy Thursday, his crucifixion on Good Friday, and the end the week with the solemn vigil of Saturday night before Easter Sunday.

• Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter which commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Christ (Jn. 12:12-18).

• Maundy Thursday: The Thursday before Easter which commemorates the giving of the New Commandment and the Lord’s Supper prior to Christ’s Death (Mk. 14:12-26; John 13). [From the Latin mandatum novarum which means “new commandment” (John 13:34)]

• Good Friday: The Friday before Easter which commemorates the crucifixion of Christ (John 18-19).

Holy Week is Lent’s final week, which starts on Ash Wednesday and ends Thursday of Holy Week, with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In the ancient church, new converts used Lent’s entire period to pray, fast, and repent as intense preparation for baptism on Easter morning. Today, we walk the way of the Cross with Jesus, reflecting on his lowliness and humiliation. The services of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (called the Paschal Triduum) represent the most solemn days of the Church year. Here we clearly see the meaning of our baptism in Christ–being united with him in his suffering, death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.

Church Year Writeup on The Resurrection of Christ, the Sunday which celebrates the resurrection of Christ (John 20).

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. He who was betrayed by his own disciple, crucified on a Roman Cross, and buried in a borrowed tomb, rose triumphantly from death to life through the power of God. “Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!”

The Ascension of Christ
Celebrates the Ascension of Christ to heaven at which time God “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:20b-21; 1 Pe. 3:22; Lk. 24:17-53).

For fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, we ponder the risen Jesus in his appearances to his disciples. Given all authority, Jesus ascends up to heaven to God's right hand, and sends to us the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit.

The Day of Pentecost
Pentecost is the day which commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church. Jesus is now present with all His people.

On Pentecost we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the people of God, the Church. Jesus is now present with his people in the person of the Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. We ponder this mystery together on Trinity Sunday.

Trinity Sunday falls on first Sunday after Pentecost. At Pentecost Jesus is declared to be both Messiah and Lord (Acts 2:36) of course that is the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Church has always been committed to a Triune understanding of God and this allows Christians to worship and ponder that mystery.

The Season after Pentecost: Kingdomtide (Ordinary Time1)
In OT the theme is simply God’s saving event. During this time the church considers overarching theme of salvation history, Christian discipleship, and advance of the Kingdom. It’s a time of harvest.

The Season after Pentecost: A Season of the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Season after Pentecost emphasizes the most significant sign of the Kingdom's presence in this world: the coming of the Holy Spirit. As Peter recounted in his sermon so many years ago, God had promised that in the last time the Spirit of God would be poured out on humankind, with all of the people of God prophesying, seeing visions, and dreaming dreams, both male and female. God's wonders would be seen in the earth, and the witness to God's salvation in Christ would be taken to the ends of the earth. Glory to God, we live in that age, the time of the presence of the heavenly dove and entrance of the Spirit into our world!

The Season after Pentecost (Kingdomtide), Christ as Head of the Church
During "ordinary time" (Kingdomtide), we consider God's saving acts through time. As Christus Victor, Jesus must reign until his enemies are put under his feet. He is the head of the body, the Church, and now he empowers his people to bear witness of his saving grace in the world.

The Season after Pentecost (Kingdomtide), Christ as Lord of the Harvest
As Lord of the harvest, Jesus has commissioned the Church to go and make disciples of all nations. During this season let us consider how we may advance God’s Reign as we show and tell of Christ's salvation to the world. This is a season of harvest.

The Season after Pentecost (Kingdomtide), The Hope of Christ's Return
As the dawn follows night, so our Lord will surely appear in power and glory to gather his own to himself, to make an end of war and sin, and to restore creation under God’s will. This is a season of the hope of Christ’s soon return.

All Saints Day and the Reign of Christ the King
All Saints Day is a time to remember those heroes of the faith who have come before us (especially those who died for the gospel). The living Christ is now seen in the world through the words and deeds of his people (Jn. 14:12; Heb. 11; Rev. 17:6).

Feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday before Advent – (also called the Feast of reign of Christ), important segue into advent, instituted in 1925 to function in counter cultural way against the secularization of the modern world.

The Season After Pentecost (Kingdomtide), All Saints Day and The Reign of Christ the King: According to Scripture, Christ will return and finish the work he began on the Cross, to judge the world and save his own. The Feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday before Advent, points to the day when Christ will reign supreme.

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1 “The word ‘ordinary’ in Ordinary Time doesn’t mean ordinary in the usual sense. Remember “ordinal” numbers – first, second, third? That’s what ‘ordinary’ refers to here. The numbered Sundays of the year outside of the special seasons. Yet ordinary time does not seem rather ordinary, it doesn’t bring any strong images to mind the way the other seasons do. In fact, the Sundays of Ordinary Time don’t all fall during the same time of the year. To understand Ordinary Time, we need to understand the Church Year as a whole. We need to remember the essential meaning of all the other seasons and then think about the rhythms of time.” Dan Connors, The Liturgical Year. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2005, p. 39.