Advent is the first season of the church year. It begins four weeks before Christmas, on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30th. It ends on Christmas Eve. Advent means "coming" or "drawing near". Advent is the time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of Christ. An Advent wreath is often used to mark the four weeks of Advent. It contains four candles. One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, and each week, an additional candle is lit.

The Christmas season begins on the eve of December 25th and last 12 days, through January 5th. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mark the celebration of Jesus' birth. The music of Christmas is joyful and festive, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Unlike the secular world, the church rarely sings Christmas carols before Christmas Eve, saving them for the season of Christmas instead.

The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. The Epiphany season continues until Ash Wednesday, which varies from year to year. Epiphany means "a manifestation" or "showing forth". The Epiphany season emphasizes how God revealed Godself to the world through Christ. During Epiphany, we hear lessons about the Wise Men, Jesus' baptism, and the Transfiguration (when Jesus revealed his divine glory on the mountain).

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and last for 40 days. Lent is a time of preparation, prayer, and quiet reflection. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, begins the season with a call to repentance and prayer. A medieval custom that Timothy uses is making a mark of the cross on the forehead of each worshiper at the Ash Wednesday services (voluntary). While applying this sign of mortality, purification, and blessing, the pastor says, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." This is the tradition that gave Ash Wednesday its name. During Lent, we traditionally omit the word "Alleluia" in worship, as a symbolic way to observe the quiet contemplation of the season. Lent is somber and reflective, focused more on death and penitence than celebration.

Holy Week includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter.

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, known as the Sunday of the Passion (recalling the sufferings of Jesus between the night of the Last Supper and his death). Palm Sunday is a day both of triumph and sorrow. We celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with the word "Hosanna", and yet we know how the story will unfold.

Maundy Thursday is observed on the Thursday before Easter. The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means "commandment". On this night, Jesus gave a new commandment to His disciples, to love one another (John 13:34). Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper that Jesus had with his closest disciples. Jesus offered up bread and wine, and asked that those who believe in Him do likewise in remembrance of Him. Maundy Thursday also includes the betrayal of Judas, so it is a somber night indeed.

On Good Friday, we remember how Jesus suffered and died on a cross for the sins of the world. See Matthew 26:47-68, 27:1-2, 27-50 for an account of Jesus' arrest, trial, and death on the cross. Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to die on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven.

The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and lasts for 50 days. The date of Easter Sunday changes from year to year (on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox). On Easter, the church celebrates the day that Jesus Christ overcame death and rose from the dead. God's plan for our salvation was fulfilled on Easter. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, all who believe in Him will live eternally in heaven. On the 40th day after Easter, the church recalls Jesus' return to His heavenly Father; this is called Ascension Day (Luke 24:50-53).

The 50th day after Easter is Pentecost. On this day, the Holy Spirit came to Jesus' disciples and all gathered with them. The primary color for the day of Pentecost is red for fire. Acts 2:1-41 tells the story of the Holy Spirit coming upon the people, and describes the visual effect as flames of fire. As the Spirit lit on them, they each heard one another speaking in their own language. The day of Pentecost is the beginning of the season of Pentecost. In some congregations, confirmation takes place on Pentecost Sunday, as a way of uplifting the role of the Spirit in the life of the newly confirmed young people.

The Pentecost season focuses on the ministry and teachings of Jesus. It is a season for growth in the church, as we listen to the call of the Holy Spirit to respond in faith. The Pentecost Season lasts from late May through late November, and is the longest season of the church year.

The first Sunday after Pentecost Sunday is called Holy Trinity Sunday. On this day, we celebrate the mystery of God as we experience the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Three in One. There is one God, not three, but there are three separate "persons" of the Godhead. They work together in the world in varying ways. Some images of the Trinity are a three-legged stool, a triangle, a three-stranded braid, a shamrock. All 3 parts are important to make up the whole, and yet none is complete without the other.

Reformation Day is celebrated on or near October 31st. On this day, we recall the work of God in preserving and reforming the church in times of trial. This day is usually celebrated by Lutheran churches, as a way of remembering Martin Luther and his defense of grace to all. "A Mighty Fortress", written by Martin Luther, is often sung as an observance of Luther's contribution to the church.

All Saints Day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to November 1, and commemorates all of the saints. In some congregations, it is the time to remember those saints who have died and now live with God. In others, it is the day to acknowledge how we all try to live as saints in the world. At Timothy, we follow the latter primarily.

Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the church year. It focuses on the second coming of Christ (when Jesus comes again in glory). The phrases King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and other regal themes are reflected in the music and readings for this day.