The church year follows a different schedule than the calendar hanging on your wall. It is separated into seasons centering on events in the life of Jesus. Although the details vary from tradition to tradition, it is a rhythm that has been followed by churches all over the world for centuries. It is a rhythm that shapes our worship and connects us to all of God's people. Following are the liturgical seasons that shape our worship:

• Advent: preparing for the birth of Jesus, and also expectantly waiting for his second coming

• Christmastide: celebrating Jesus' birth

• Epiphany: the time between Christmastide and Lent, celebrating the ways Jesus was revealed to us

• Ash Wednesday: the first day of Lent; a day of penitence

• Lent: the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays) focused on spiritual disciplines

• Maundy Thursday: celebrating Jesus' last supper with his disciples

• Good Friday: commemorating Jesus' death

• Easter Vigil: commemorating Jesus' time in the tomb, it is a time of expectant waiting

• Eastertide: celebrating Jesus' resurrection

• Ascension Day: celebrating Jesus' going to heaven

• Pentecost: celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples

• Ordinary* Time: a time without a particular season, ending with "Christ the King" Sunday

(*coming from the word "ordinal" as in "counted" because traditionally the Sundays are numbered after Pentecost)

Image from GodSpace

2021-2022 Christian Year

Advent: November 28 - December 24, 2021

Christmas: December 25

Christmastide: December 26 - January 2, 2022

Epiphany: January 6

Season of Epiphany: January 9 - February 27

Ash Wednesday: March 2

Lent: Wednesday, March 2 - April 16

Maundy Thursday: April 14

Good Friday: April 15

Palm Sunday: April 10

Easter Vigil: April 16

Easter: April 17

Eastertide: April 17 - May 29

Ascension: May 26

Pentecost: Sunday, June 5

Ordinary Time: June 12 - November 26