O
ver the
years
members have
asked me about
the colors of the
stoles worn by the pastors and what
are the meanings behind them? The
colors we wear, along with the colors
of the cloths (called vestments) under
the Bible and on the Pulpit in the
Sanctuary, are tied to the Christian
or Church year. Since the Christian
Year begins in Advent, this is as good
a time as any to explain this rich
symbolism.
When the Jews of the first century
started converting to the Christian
faith, they had been used to
celebrating three significant festivals
a year – Passover, Tabernacles
or Booths and Pentecost. The
significance of the Resurrection at
Passover was immediately recognized,
so Easter became the first significant
date which all Christians celebrated.
White
symbolizes the purity of
Christ at Christmas and the victory of
Christ’s resurrection at Easter (white
also stands for the light outshining
the darkness). White is the color
we use for memorials and weddings,
symbolizing the victory and purity of
Christ.
Acts tells us that the Holy Spirit was
given to the church at Pentecost so
that became a regular celebration
for Christians as well. Pentecost
falls 50 days after Passover and the
color is
red
for the tongues of fire
that symbolized the Holy Spirit (we
also wear red for ordinations, also to
represent the Holy Spirit gifting one
for ministry).
The Romans celebrated the Winter
Solstice around December 22,
recognizing that from that day on,
more and more sunlight would
return. So in the fourth century
Christians claimed this date for the
birth of “The Unconquered Son of
God.” Advent was added to prepare
for the joy of Christmas and we use
Purple
to symbolize Jesus' royalty and
the penitence we need to properly
receive so great a gift as the Christ
Child. Purple is also used for the forty
days of Lent, a season of preparation
for penitent sinners who could rejoin
the church at Easter.
Green
is used throughout the year
to symbolize the gift of “life” God has
given to us. There are other days
in the Christian year that receive
less attention like Ascension Sunday,
Trinity Sunday and All Saints day.
These practices have evolved as the
The Spire
December 2014
Noroton Presbyterian Church
n
2011 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820
n
203-655-1451
Welcome to the
Christian Year
Worship Schedule
Chapel - 8:00 a.m.
Sanctuary - 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Open Doors - 5:00 p.m.
Upcoming Preaching Schedule:
12/7/14- 2nd Sunday of Advent
"Spend Less"
-
Pastor Sam Schreiner
12/8/14- Service of Prayer and
Reflection - 7:30 p.m. Chapel
12/14/14 - 3rd Sunday of Advent
8 & 5:00 - Pastor Brandi Drake -
"Give More"
9 & 10:30 a.m. -
Children’s Christmas
Pageant
12/21/14 - 4th Sunday of Advent
Pastor Greg Doll - "Love All"
5:00 p.m. - Pastor Brandi Drake
Open Doors
“Advent Unplugged”
Special service in the Sanctuary
12/24/14 - Christmas Eve services:
3 & 5:00 p.m. - Family Service
Lessons and Carols
8 & 10:00 p.m. -Traditional Service
Lessons and Carols
12/28/14 - 10:30 Service Only
Pastor Jimmy McPherson
(no childcare or Sunday school)
Table of Contents
Pastor Sam's 10th Anniversar
y
.........3-4
Foundations for the Future
.......................4
Adult Spiritual Formation.................5-6
Caring &Women’s Ministry.................7
Children’s &Youth Ministry........... 8-10
Tot Drop................................................ 11
NPNS..................................................... 12
Congregational Life Ministry............. 13
Membership Ministry.......................... 14
Mission Ministry............................. 15-16
Music & Fine Arts ............................... 17
NPC History ................................. 18-19
Faith for the Future............................. 19
NPC News and Staff .......................... 20
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