The weeks from Advent through Pentecost Sunday are the richest weeks of the Liturgical Year. These weeks include Christmas, Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Transfiguration, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Sunday and Pentecost. We celebrate the most important events of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection during these six months. The next six months, however, are what we call "Ordinary Time." There are few major festivals during these weeks (All Saints Sunday being one). Instead, the Lectionary offers us a variety of Scriptures based on Jesus' parables, teachings and healings.

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and I feel a little sad to soon be entering Ordinary Time. We won't see the variety of colors in our Sanctuary decorations for another six months. The Liturgical color from Pentecost 2 until Advent is green. Green, however, is the color of growth. And growth is exactly what Ordinary Time is all about. Ordinary Time reminds us that life isn't always a party. There are times in our lives ~ and in the church ~ when things are quiet. These quiet times allow us to gently nurture our faith.

Ordinary Time also gives us a chance to do some different things. While the festivals of the first half of the Christian Year demand our attention, the quietness of the second half provide opportunities for creativity. During this time we will depart from the Lectionary for two sermon series, one on Sabbath and one on Spiritual Gifts.

We all need a little variety in our lives. Life is a mixture of celebration and renewal. What can you do during Ordinary Time this year to quietly nurture and grow your faith?