Worship Library Essays & Blog
Explore over three hundred curated essays on the Christian year, ancient-future worship, sacramental practice, and sacred music.
Seven Tips for Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday is both an end and a beginning. It’s not only the culmination of the season of Easter, it also represents the dawn of a new day in the life of the church. Jus…
Some Questions and Answers About Lent
What is the Lenten season, and why is it set apart? It is a period of six weeks preceding the anniversary of the Savior’s death, and is set apart as a special season of fastin…
An Imaginary Conversation About Ash Wednesday, Lent, and "Giving Stuff Up"
What is Ash Wednesday? In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not in…
A Presbyterian View of Ash Wednesday
The church calendar is a tool that is full of the wisdom of the ages. It is a tradition that pre-dates the Reformation and belongs to all of Christendom. God has been sanctify…
An Overview of Worship in the Armenian Orthodox Church
The liturgy of the Armenian church reveals the influence of many sources, but is basically of Syrian origin. It expresses the theme of sacrifice more than other Eastern liturg…
The Origins of Christmas and Epiphany Worship
The proclamation of Christ’s resurrection is the central focus of the Christian message. Yet for many churches, and not a few Christians, the annual festival of the birth of C…