The Christian Year

For Saint Bernard's Church, as in all churches of the sacramental-liturgical tradition, the Church Year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, usually the First Sunday in December. The annual Christian cycle of worship is based on the life of Jesus, on his birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, death and resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Holy Spirit.

Beginning with the season of Advent, Saint Bernard's Church celebrates the following special liturgies of the Christian Year.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

The Second or Third Sunday of Advent

5 p.m. Advent Lessons & Carols

The Third or Fourth Sunday of Advent
10 a.m. The Children’s Christmas Pageant & Children’s Eucharist

The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas Eve
4:30 p.m. Special Music
5 p.m. Festival Choral Eucharist

10:30 p.m. Special Music
11 p.m. Festival Choral Eucharist

EPIPHANY

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

10 a.m. Epiphany Procession

LENT

Ash Wednesday

7:30 p.m. Service of The Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist

HOLY WEEK

The Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday

10 a.m. The Blessing of the Palms & The Reading of the Passion Narrative

Maundy Thursday
7 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Good Friday
7:30 p.m. The Way of the Cross

EASTER

The Sunday of the Resurrection,

Easter Sunday
9 a.m. Festive Choral Eucharist
11 a.m. Festive Choral Eucharist
12:15 p.m. Champaign on the Lawn
The Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

PENTECOST

The Day of Pentecost, Pentecost Sunday

10 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Confirmation Sunday

Customarily a Sunday in the late spring (TBA)

Rally Day/Mission Sunday

A Sunday in September after Labor Day (TBA), marking the return of the Choirs, the opening of the Church School, and resuming the 8 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist.

More About Our Liturgical Services

Advent Lessons & Carols

Each year in the season of Advent Music at Saint Bernard’s offers the traditional English candlelight service of Advent Lessons & Carols, including seasonal readings from Holy Scripture and the music of Advent. Mr. Steven R. Lawrence conducts The Choir of Saint Bernard’s and guest vocalists.

Christmas Eve,

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
On Christmas Eve we celebrate Holy Eucharist together at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. in thanksgiving for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Saint Bernard’s Choir sings music of the season and a string ensemble offers special music at 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Palm Sunday, The Sunday of the Passion

On Palm Sunday at the 10 a.m. Choral Eucharist we begin with the Blessing of the Palms, hear a reading by the Confirmation Class of The Passion Gospel, and worship in preparation for Holy Week.

Holy Week

In Holy Week each year we share a potluck supper and offer Holy Eucharist on the evening of Maundy Thursday. We pray the liturgy of The Way of the Cross on Good Friday.

Easter Day, The Sunday of the Resurrection

On Easter Morning we offer Festive Choral Eucharists at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., followed by the Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt and Champagne on the Lawn. The Choir of Saint Bernard’s sings.

Choral Evensong

Each autumn Music at Saint Bernard’s offers the liturgy of traditional English Evensong in late afternoon. Mr. Steven R. Lawrence conducts the Choir of Saint Bernard’s in music of the season. A homily is offered by a guest preacher.

Children's Liturgies

The Family Service

On the third Sunday of each month during the school year, we offer the Family Service at 10 a.m. The Children’s Choir of Saint Bernard’s, under the direction of Ms. Luthien Brackett, sings. An interactive Children’s Sermon is offered. Young people are scheduled to read the day’s scripture lessons, lead the psalm, and usher.

The Christmas Pageant

Each year on a Sunday close to Christmas at the 10 a.m. service we re-enact the story of Christ’s birth at Bethlehem in the Children’s Christmas Pageant on the stage of the Great Hall. Christmas carols are sung by the congregation and a special Children’s Eucharist is offered.

The Reading of the Passion Narrative by Our Confirmands On Palm Sunday

On The Sunday of the Passion at 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist, the Confirmation Class offers, in the place of the Gospel, a dramatic reading of the narrative of Christ’s Passion, including his betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion.