Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
The Liturgical Year
At Good Shepherd, we honor the rhythm of the liturgical year, a sacred cycle that shapes our worship, grounds our faith, and connects us to the life of Christ. Through seasons of anticipation, celebration, repentance, and renewal, the church tells the story of God’s saving love again and again.
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In the Lutheran tradition, the liturgy is more than ritual, it is a living expression of faith that joins us with the church across time and place. Each color, symbol, and reading draws us deeper into the mystery of God’s grace and reminds us that every season belongs to Christ.
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View the ELCA site for more information about the Lectionary.
RALLY DAY
Unofficial
With Rally Day, we kick off a new year of church ministry, Sunday school, and a service fair showcasing ministry teams and how to get involved in living out our faith within the congregation and the wider community!
ADVENT
Color: Blue
Advent is the season of anticipation and preparation for Christmas, starting for Sundays before, and for the return of Jesus Christ to put everything right. It focuses on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, symbolized by an Advent wreath with four candles. Believers engage in prayer, reflection, and devotional activities, marking the coming of Christ.
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Advent begins a new Liturgical Year.
CHRISTMAS
Colors: White & Gold
The season of Christmas begins Christmas Eve and goes for 12 days until the day of Epiphany. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
EPIPHANY
Color: Green
For Lutherans, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th and marks the revelation of Jesus Christ by the visit of the Wise Men. This event underscores the inclusivity of Christ's message, extending salvation to all nations. The Season of Epiphany then extends to Ash Wednesday. In Lutheran tradition, Epiphany is a time to reflect on the light of Christ shining in the world and the call to share that light with others. The day is observed with special church services that focus on the themes of revelation and mission, often incorporating the singing of hymns and the reading of the Epiphany story from the Gospel of Matthew.
LENT
Color: Purple
In the Lutheran tradition, Lent is a 40-day season of reflection and repentance, beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter. It commemorates Jesus' time in the wilderness and focuses on His suffering and sacrifice. At Good Shepherd, Lent is observed with midweek soup suppers followed by worship services, creating a time for communal reflection and spiritual renewal in preparation for Easter.
EASTER
Color: White & Gold
In the Lutheran tradition, Easter is the most joyful celebration, marking Jesus Christ's resurrection and the triumph of life over death. It concludes Lent and begins a season of rejoicing in God's promise of salvation. Easter worship is filled with festive music, the return of "Alleluia" to the liturgy, and the proclamation of the resurrection story. Churches are adorned with flowers, symbolizing new life, as we celebrate the core of our faith: the promise of eternal life through Christ's victory.
PENTACOST
Color: Red
The season of Pentecost is the longest part of the church year. It starts with commemoration of the Holy Spirit’s coming on The Day of Pentecost (50 days after Easter). The season focuses on the Church’s mission and growth in faith, symbolized by the color red.