The liturgical calendar is a system used by Christian churches to mark and celebrate the important events of the life of Jesus Christ. It begins with Advent, four weeks before Christmas, and moves through the seasons of Lent, Easter and Pentecost. The festivals and special days throughout the year are determined by this calendar, as well as the color of vestments worn by clergy. This calendar helps Christians focus their spiritual lives on the significant events in Christ’s life.
Where can I find the current church calendar online?
The current church calendar can be found online on the websites of various churches. Many churches list their liturgical calendars on their websites and offer downloadable versions in various formats. Additionally, many churches post information about upcoming liturgical events such as Advent and Lent on their social media channels.
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/
What is the lectionary? Is that the same thing as a church calendar?
The lectionary is a set of Scripture readings for each Sunday, throughout the liturgical year. The lectionary provides a two-year cycle of readings that reflect the major stories and events from both the Old and New Testament. Lectionaries are organized around the church calendar, but they do not contain the same information as a traditional church calendar. While the church calendar identifies key religious occasions, such as Advent or Lent, the lectionary focuses on weekly scripture readings to be read in worship services.
Do Catholics and Protestants have the same church calendar?
Catholics and Protestants have different church calendars. Both adhere to a liturgical calendar based on the celebration of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, but they differ in the degree to which they emphasize certain religious events. For example, some Protestant denominations may not observe Lent or Advent while Catholic churches generally do. Additionally, Catholics use the Roman Missal as their lectionary and recognize different feast days than most Protestant denominations.
Where can I fund Sunday School lessons based on the lectionary church calendar?
There are a number of resources available for creating Sunday School lessons based on the lectionary church calendar. Many Bible study websites offer free downloadable lesson plans that follow the lectionary readings. Also, many Christian bookstores sell books with pre-written lesson plans that use the lectionary. It is also possible to find publishers that specialize in creating Sunday School material specifically tailored to the lectionary cycle.