At St. Paul’s we observe a liturgical calendar. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when special events are to be observed and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Different colors appear in connection with different season of the liturgical year.

Advent

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”) is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday, four weeks before Christmas Day.

• The Hanging of the Greens is observed on the first Sunday of Advent. During the worship service, worshipers help to decorate the sanctuary for the season by hanging garlands, decorating the Chrismon tree, singing carols and learning about the meaning of the many familiar Christmas symbols.
• The Christmas Pageant is presented during worship on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of Advent, and is the result of several months of preparation by the children and youth of the congregation.
• The Christmas Eve Family Service and Candlelight Service provides Christmas Eve worship experiences for both young and old. The family service is held earlier in the evening to allow small children with a hand’s on worship experience and communion. The Candlelight Service begins at 11:00 pm and ends with bringing in Christmas morning at midnight. It is a special and meditative service filled with music and candlelight.