Moravian Worship and Traditions
Over its 500-plus year history, the Moravian Church has developed unique, deeply-held traditions.
The Lovefeast, the Moravian Star, beeswax candles, special services, music and lore all help make up the rich heritage of the Moravian Church. Many of these customs arose from expressions of faith and worship of early Moravians; they continue to have significance in how Moravians live into their love of Christ.
No In-person Worship Services Until Further Notice
No In-person Worship Services
Virtual Worship: 10:45 a.m.
Contact the office for the Worship Zoom Address or go to our Calvary Moravian Church Allentown Youtube Channel. Bulletins available in our Little Library on Livingston St.
Christmas Eve (4:30 p.m.) on Zoom and Youtube
Contact us about "Lovefeast to Go" packages and ordering Sugarcake.
We are live-streaming the Worship services to our Youtube Channel for Calvary Moravian Church Allentown at 10:45 a.m. Tune in at 10:45 a.m., or anytime afterwards for the recording of this service. It will also be posted on Facebook later in the afternoon.
Upcoming
Services
Something New!
Staying Connected
- Check out our new blog
for Calvary Moravian at
https://livinggodslove.wordpress.com/
Here Pastor Janel will share occasional prayers, the order of worship each Sunday, and other meditations.
Worship & Bible Study
Virtual Opportunities to Gather
- Sunday Worship
live-streamed to Facebook and Zoom
Every Sunday at 10:45 a.m.
Use this website to access:
https://zoom.us/j/673028163
Meeting ID: 673 028 163
Call +19292056099, (enter code 673028163)
- Bible study on ZOOM
Every Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Use this website to access:
https://zoom.us/j/690667322
Meeting ID: 690 667 322
Call 19292056099, enter code 690667322
Additional Worship Options
Worship Together While Apart
Join us on Wednesday mornings from 10 - 11 a.m. or Wednesday evenings from 7 - 8 p.m. during Advent (Dec. 2, 9, 16) for an Advent Devotional group on Zoom.
"Do Not be Afraid" is the message that God gave to God's people throughout their history - What does it mean to hold hope when life feels really uncertain, to bring peace in the face of fear, practice joy, and to choose love when it is sometimes really hard?
Each week you will receive a PDF study guide of a few pages or you can also receive a hard copy of the study guide.
Email or call the office to sign up.
Our coloring group won't be coloring in person but we have great new material that is relaxing and meditative for you to color at home!
Let Pastor Janel know if you would like some cards with Psalms and other brief positive messages to color. These will be shared with our congregation and also with others in local nursing homes, etc.
We continue to meet on Zoom each Tuesday at 10 a.m. Join us for a time of prayer and friendship, and a deeper look into the upcoming Sunday Bible passages. Contact the office for the Zoom address.
ZOOM Advent Group and virtual monthly gatherings, Contact the office for more information.
12 p.m. or 7 p.m. - Virtual Zoom Gathering.
Contact the office for the Zoom address and to receive the study book. This year we will be studying the story of Esther.
Contact the office for the Zoom address to join us.
The Calvary Chronicle
published by Calvary Moravian Church
Get all the latest information on our congregation, our community and the larger Moravian church.
Worship, bible studies, music, health, calendar — it's all here!
Click the button below to view the latest issue.
Moravian Traditions
Lovefeast
A simple meal as an act of celebration of community and the presence of Christ in the church. Originally an ancient Christian practice, Lovefeasts were revived by Count Zinzendorf in the 18th century Moravian church, as a way to promote community and encourage relationships in Christ.
We celebrate beginnings and events in our church's history with Lovefeasts at Calvary including:
Advent and Christmas
Beeswax Candles – At our Christmas Eve services, beeswax candles with red paper frill are distributed to worshippers to bring the light of Jesus into their lives and hearts. An 18th century Moravian tradition, these candles represent the purity of Christ and his gift of light into our hearts. We also serve Lovefeast on Christmas Eve.
Moravian Star – A classic symbol of the Moravian Church is the 26 point star and can be seen throughout the Bethlehem community. There is a very large star that illuminates our sanctuary during Advent and Christmas.
Lent and Easter
Lent and Easter are also important times during the church year for Moravians.
Holy Week readings walk us through each evening during Holy Week from Monday onward as Jesus walked closer to the cross.
Maundy Thursday is a time to remember Jesus's last supper with his disciples and his gifts of his body and blood, the bread and cup, for us to remember him and his witness. We celebrate Holy Communion in this remembrance service.
A Good Friday service at 2:15 p.m. remembers the day that Jesus died, and a special Tenebrae service uses light and darkness to tell the story of Christ's light leaving this world and yet entering again through the new life in Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunrise Service welcomes the new day with the promise of Christ's resurrection and possibility of new life for all of his followers. It begins in the sanctuary in the dark and then leaves to watch the sun rise with new life. Easter Worship celebrate this event, with special music and celebration as well.
Music Opportunities
Moravians are often identified by their worship. The spirit of the Moravian Church and their religion of the warm heart are often expressed uniquely in Moravian music, and the liturgies and worship services.
Our Chancel Choir sings every Sunday from September through May. Our rehearsal time is also on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. We have a wide range of anthems from classical to contemporary music. We are a vibrant group of musicians and welcome any child or adult who loves to play and sing, to God's glory. --- Anne Ettinger, Minister of Music
Our Contemporary Worship service is led by Gary Gipson and held on the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. We welcome musicians and singers to participate! The worship is held downstairs in fellowship hall with praise and worship songs, a message and encouraged participation from our congregation.