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.
Sunday Worship Services
9:30 a.m. Sunday School (other than the First Sunday)
9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship (First Sunday only, downstairs in Fellowship Hall)
10:45 a.m. Morning Worship in our lovely Sanctuary
Upcoming
Services
We invite you to Sunday worship at Calvary - our summer worship begins on June 17 with 9:30 a.m. worship all summer until and including Sept. 2. Below is a list of some of our special services.
- June 3:
9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
10:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship - June 10:
9:30 a.m. Last Sunday School for all Ages
10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship
12 p.m. Birthday Social - Birthday Cake for everyone as we share in different cakes and sit with our birthday month tables. A fun celebration! - June 17:
Summer Worship starts at 9:30 a.m. (No Sunday School) Guest Preacher, Jessica Tatum - June 24:
Summer Worship, 9:30 a.m.
Rev. Larry Pickens, Ecumenical Director for the Lehigh Conference of Churches, guest preacher
Summer Worship at Calvary Moravian:
July 8:9:30 a.m. Worship, Remembrance of the Matrydom of John Hus (July 6th) with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Conversation - A time for fellowship and some light treats following worship
John Hus was a 15th century Catholic priest who tried to reform the church of his day by challenging the corruption. He believed that faith must involve love for one's neighbor, not just right belief. He was put to death for his beliefs on July 6, 1415, but his followers continued his teachings and in 1457 declared themselves a separate church called the Unitas Fratrum, or "The Unity of the Brethren," our early Moravian Church. We remember the sacrifices of Hus and his challenges to our modern church through our celebration of Holy Communion in July.
July 22:
79:30 worship, Song Service
"Our Favorite Hymns: Songs of the Spirit"
Wednesday, August 8 at 7 p.m.:
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) service at St. Timothy's (Ott Street) featuring the Calvary Praise band.
August 12:
9:30 a.m. worship, Holy Communion in Celebration of the Renewal of the Moravian Church
10:30 a.m. Coffee and Conversation - A time for fellowship and some light treats following worship
It's Coming Back!
2nd Annual Summer Festival at Calvary Moravian
Summer Fun Festival!
Saturday, July 14, 4 - 8 p.m.
Featuring:
- A Fantastic variety of Live Music
- Old Pappy's BBQ Food Truck
- Angels on Wheels Ice Cream Truck
- Baked Goods and Moravian Sugarcake
- Children's Games, Crafts, Sno Cones, Face-painting, etc.
- A Variety of Moravian Crafts
- and much more!
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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.