The liturgical cycle divides the year into a series of seasons, each with their own mood, theological emphases, and modes of prayer which can be signified by different ways of decorating churches, colors of paraments and vestments for clergy, scripture readings, themes for preaching and even different traditions and practices often observed personally or in the home. The colors change from the green-growing, pure-white, red-hot and purple (the color of kings).
The Church/Liturgical Calendar is part of both of our Godly Play atrium. Each of our classrooms has a Church Calendar banner that is approximately two feet by four feet displayed on the atrium wall. Every Sunday, during our Godly Play time, one of our students will move the arrow to match the liturgical calendar date. The storytellers use this wooden Church Calendar puzzle to teach the liturgical colors and seasons of the church. This story is found in the Godly Play volume two. It is also found in Young Children and Worship book but it is called "How the church tells time." The story is based on Leviticus 23:1-3.
Our denomination follows this calendar using different colored paraments on our altar. The explanation of these colors can be found in our Godly Play Sunday School lesson online. This week we are sharing Liturgical coloring books, beaded church year necklaces, and paper plate calendar models so your child can practice learning about the color of our church seasons.