Liturgy Project

During the pandemic, one of our student interns, Sam Lanzer ‘21, lamented a feeling of separation from the weekly pattern of the church year. During his time at home, Sam developed these reflections on the church year to share with fellow students on social media.

Here at Lutheran Campus Ministry in Madison, we recognize that many of us may feel separated from the normal routine of church during the pandemic. 

A significant part of our experiences in worship are determined by the liturgical calendar. Every year, we celebrate holidays and seasons in church. We wanted to start a project that can help keep us connected to these celebrations throughout the year while we are apart. 

In the liturgical calendar, the year is divided into several seasons and includes a number of festival days. The year technically begins with Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas. The calendar includes the 40 days of Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time, and a number of special festivals in between. 

Each of these seasons has a designated color that helps capture the tone of these seasons. For example, Christmastide is white and gold to signify celebration and joy, while Lent is purple to signify the season’s solemn nature and penitent mood. Some of these seasons are celebratory and festive. Others are solemn. 

These seasons and days are also connected with specific prayers and scripture readings that keep us connected to the stories of Christ. And so each year, the liturgical calendar helps us celebrate again Christ’s coming into the world during Christmas, His passion and resurrection through Lent and Easter, and other important days in the Church.

So for at least the rest of the academic year, we will be posting along with the liturgical season, starting with Reformation Day on October 31. We will try to explain what the season/day is about and include the designated prayer from our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

We hope this project can help us stay connected to the Church even when we might not be able to worship together in person. If you have questions on any of the information feel free to comment on any post and start a discussion!

Pentecost

Pentecost

Pentecost, one of the most important liturgical holidays, marks the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles with tongues of fire. It marks the birthday of the Church. Prayer of the DayMighty God, you breathe life into our bones, and your Spirit brings truth to...

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Feast Day of St Matthias, Apostle

Feast Day of St Matthias, Apostle

Today we celebrate St. Matthias, Apostle and martyr. Unlike the other Apostles, Matthias was chosen after the Ascension to replace Judas Iscariot. Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, you chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the twelve. Grant that your...

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Ascension of Our Lord

Ascension of Our Lord

Today is 40 days after Easter when Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of the Father. We wait for His Second Coming. Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and...

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Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Today we celebrate St. Philip and St. James the Less, two of the twelve Disciples and Apostles. As Apostles, they were important leaders in the early Church. Both died as martyrs. Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, you gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and...

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Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist

Today is St. Mark the Evangelist’s Day. St. Mark was the author of the Gospel according to Mark. He played an important role in the early Church and was martyred. Prayer of the DayAlmighty God, you have enriched your church with Mark's proclamation of the gospel. Give...

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Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

Easter marks the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the center of the Christian faith. Easter is the most important holiday of the church year. Prayer of the DayO God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his...

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