The cycle of the Church’s year takes us through times of joy and sorrow, times for reflecting on the life of Christ – his birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension, times for thinking about the excitements and challenges of the early Church.

Through this cycle Christians explore what it means to be a member of the Church today, and find their personal experiences set in a wider context. Following this seasonal movement helps to build balance into our lives.

Colour gives meaning to the liturgical drama. Each season of the year is promoted by its own particular colour and mood.

The Christian year begins at the fourth Sunday before Christmas with: Advent (purple), and the seasons continue as follows: Christmas (gold), Epiphany (gold), Ordinary Time between Candlemas and Ash Wednesday (green), Lent (purple or unbleached linen), Palm Sunday (Red), Maundy Thursday (gold), Good Friday (all hangings removed), Easter (gold), Pentecost (red), Ordinary Time (green) and, The Kingdom Season (red).

Even Ordinary Time is not that ordinary as it depicts the green growth of God's world as well as (we hope) growth within our own faith and God's Church.

There are various ways of encountering God through the cycle of bible readings and prayers set for each liturgical season of the year.

Common Worship - Times and Seasons 

Revised Common Lectionary - RCL