The Church Calendar Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran Congregation – 8 th Grade

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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?

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar What is a church calendar? –A–A calendar that reminds us of important events in Christianity. When does it start? End? –I–It starts with the first Advent Sunday which is in late November or early December –I–It ends with Judgment Sunday

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar The three greatest festival days are Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. –C–Christmas fulfills God the Father’s promise of a Savior. –E–Easter celebrates Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law, His payment for our sins and His resurrection. –P–Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, and guide.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Festive Season –A–Advent – Marks the beginning of the Church Year. Old Testament believers awaited the Messiah’s first coming; we await His second coming –C–Christmas – The birth of our Lord and Savior –N–New Year’s Day – celebrates the circumcision and name of Jesus –E–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.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Epiphany continued –The Sundays after Epiphany point to the life and teaching of Jesus. Candlemas –The celebration of God’s 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.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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. Mary’s Day or Annunciation Day –The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. –Jesus earthly life began in Mary’s womb.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Palm Sunday –Marks the beginning of Passion Week –Celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem Maundy Thursday –Celebrates the institution of the Lord’s Holy Supper –Jesus washes the disciples feet –Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Good Friday –J–Jesus dies on the cross for our sins –J–Jesus sinless life is completed –T–The two thieves are crucified with Him Easter Jesus resurrection from the dead Victor over sin, death, and hell

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Ascension Day –Celebrates Christ’s ascension into heaven forty days after Easter. Jesus’ ascension was witnessed by the disciples and gives hope for us and His return.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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. John’s Day –Always on June 24. –Celebrates John’s birth –Recalls John’s mission to testify of Jesus as the Light of the world

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School The Church Calendar Transfiguration Sunday –C–Celebrates the glory of Christ and the resurrected new body Michaelmas Day –C–Celebrates angels and children All Saints Day –A–Always on November 1. Celebrates those who have gone to the rest of the children of God; martyrs, saints, and all believers Judgment Sunday –T–The last Sunday of the church year. Reminds us of the need to be watchful and ready.

Ishpeming Laestadian Lutheran 8th Grade Sunday School 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?