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
Upcoming Moravian Lovefeasts
(a time of a community meal of sugarcake and drink while worshipping and singing together)
- September 9th
- December 2nd
Special Worship Services
Communions and Christmas
October 7th
November 11th
December 9th
Christmas Eve Lovefeast and
Candlelight services:
December 24th, at 4 and 7 p.m.
Upcoming Events
Fun and Fellowship
Church Dinners Return
Our third Saturday dinner will features spaghetti and meatballs, with salad and dessert, on Saturday, September 15 from 4:30 - 7 p.m. $8 per person.
November is for Chicken Pot Pie — Saturday, November 17th, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
Color with us:
A way for community and relaxing!
Our coloring group continues this fall, on Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. Adult coloring has been shown to help with anxiety, lower blood pressure, and serve as a form of meditation. We'll have both greeting cards, special signs for Thanksgiving as well as some larger Advent posters to color together. Please talk with Pastor Janel for more information - All Welcome!
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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.