For many Presbyterian congregations it is in corporate worship that we are introduced to the individual church seasons. Over the years, familiar seasonal music and antependia/banners have become the major elements used to move us through the Liturgical Year. Building on existing resources, using familiar hymns, favorite youth music, selections from our children’s recent Easter and Christmas programs, plus the antependia, the “Singing the Church Year” program navigated the congregation of Bellaire Presbyterian Church in Bellaire, Texas smoothly through each liturgical season: the hope of Advent—the joy of Christmas and Epiphany—the revelation of God in the life of Jesus during Ordinary Time—the spiritual renewal of Lent—the anticipation and passion of Holy Week—the celebration of the resurrection at Easter—the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—then, empowered by the Spirit, our call to grow as disciples during Ordinary Time.

Beginning with the bulletin, the theme of “Singing the Church Year” was visually woven into the service with a picture of the liturgical year cycle on the cover. Antependia representing each season were on display across the chancel. The service began with a Call to Worship based on excerpts from the Book of Order’s Directory of Worship. After the opening hymn*, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” the prayer of confession acknowledged our tendencies to get caught up in society’s expectations during the major seasons thereby often missing opportunities to be transformed by the Spirit. Before the Proclamation of the Word, the small children and their parents were invited to sit up front prior to “Sanctuary," a youth favorite based on Eph. 2:19–22* being sung as the prayer for illumination.

Two youth members then began a scripted dialogue, one at the lectern while the other moved freely across the chancel according to the placement of the appropriate visuals. Each liturgical season was introduced and explained in a casual dialogue between the two speakers interpreting the timing, theme, color(s), and symbols. After each explanation, the congregation** or members of the choir sang a hymn reflective of the season. Appropriate hymns could include:

• Advent: “Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind” (Isa.35: 5–10; 60:1, 3)
• Christmas Season and Epiphany: “Silent Night, Holy Night” (verse 1); “When a King Comes” (Children’s Choir); and “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (verse 1)
• Ordinary Time/Epiphany Season: “O Wondrous Sight, O Vision Fair” (verses 1 and 4) (Luke 9:28–31)
• Lent: “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”(verses 1,3, and 4) (Luke
  4: 1–13)
• Holy Week: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”(verse 1; Matt. 21: 8–1); “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (verses 1 and 4)
• Easter Season: “Have You Heard The News?” (Children’s Choir)
• Pentecost: “Light the Fire”
• Ordinary Time/Pentecost Season: “Here I Am Lord” (verse 1; Isa.6: 8–9); or “Take My Life”

The children’s choir ended the service as they sang a spirited benediction while recessing up the aisle singing “Go,” a song based on the Great Commission.

*All scriptures references were cited in the bulletin.
**Words for congregational hymns were printed in the bulletin and sung while they remained seated.

The “Singing the Church Year” program provided our congregation the unique opportunity to briefly experience through familiar sights and sounds, the church’s rich liturgical calendar in one easy-to-follow service. This format is readily adaptable by others who could incorporate their own seasonal music and worship decorations, such as banners, antependia, an Advent wreath, and/or crosses. Although the content focused on the church year, worshippers were able to develop an appreciation of the relationship of the musical selections and symbols to the weekly worship experience.

Coordination of the participants (pastor, choirs, and youth worship leaders/guides) is the key ingredient for success. The youth guides should practice and coordinate their script with the placement of the visuals and to validate the recognition of the individual symbols.

For future services, it would be recommended to plan for rehearsal by the choirs of unfamiliar hymns or youth music to enhance congregational singing. Also, including a picture of the visuals in the bulletin would enrich the experience. Samples of the church bulletin and youth script are available. The participation of the congregation through singing and the use of familiar music and symbols provided a time to worship and a time to learn!