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Advent I: The beginning of a new Church Year

Sunday, December 1, 2013, marks the First Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of a new Church (Ecclesiastical) Year.

The services during Advent are not intended to celebrate Christmas but to help each of us prepare ourselves for, and expect the coming of, Christ. The word “Advent” is a derivation of the Latin word, “advenio,” meaning coming or arrival. Early observances of this festival are recorded prior to the seventh century, and through the ensuing ages it has evolved into the form familiar to us today. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest November 30th and lasts four Sundays. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new church year.Read More »Advent I: The beginning of a new Church Year

The Ecclesiastical Calendar (part 1)

ADVENT

(The Ecclesiastical Year begins with Advent, a season to recollect the hope of (1) the coming Christ (his birth), and to look forward to (2) the Lord’s coming again:  the Parousia.)

1. First season of the Ecclesiastical Year

2. Begins with the Sunday falling upon or nearest St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30th), however an easier way to calculate the beginning of Advent: Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day, not counting Christmas Day if it falls on a Sunday.  There are always four Sundays in Advent.

3. Originated out of early Christian practice having to do with a fasting period for candidates who were to be received into the fellowship on January 6th (Epiphany Day) when it served as a time for study and preparation.

4. Often called, “Winter Lent,” Advent is considered a period of penitence in preparation for the coming of the Savior: (1) the human Incarnation of Christ ; (2) the “Second Coming” of Christ in glory at the end of time (Parousia).

5. Liturgical color is purple or violet (less often, blue) which represents penitence as well as the “royal” color (Kingship of Christ).

6. Key Words and Phrases: Prepare, Watch, Wait, Darkness, Anticipation; Humility; Expectation; Hope; Listen; Evening;Read More »The Ecclesiastical Calendar (part 1)

WORSHIP: Music and the Choreography of the Service for the Lord’s Day

Synopsis of the Class (September 1, 2013)

Basic Biblical Pattern of Reformed Worship:  God’s INITIATION to humankind; humankind’s RESPONSE to God

Earliest Records of music in worship music in the Jewish Temple and Synagogue

Temple – heart of worship was the sacrifice; highly trained professional musicians (Levites); conservative worship; strict guidelines for music; proscribed forms; little spontaneity; singing, dancing, playing instruments including percussion instruments; highly ritualized; Psalms sung; Temple worshipers viewed Synagogue worshipers as crude, ill-educatedRead More »WORSHIP: Music and the Choreography of the Service for the Lord’s Day