OUR VISION: WORSHIPING GOD IN WORD AND DEED in Olympia, Washington

WORD

As one of our congregation’s areas of ministry, WORD provides opportunities to discuss, study and learn how it is that we live this life we call being a Christian. Opinions vary but we honor this diversity and even are proud to be a part of this diversity.

One such opportunity is Sacred Ground, a prayer and scripture study held early on Sunday mornings. One of the questions used in this study is: “What is God saying to us in this passage?"

Children’s Program is held during the Worship Service. Children learn about and experience worship.

Jesus Did It Anyway - A Bible Study

On Sunday mornings starting January 13 through February 17 at 9:30 AM in the Church Library, come and learn about the "paradoxical commandments" and how they relate to the teachings of Jesus. Written by Kent Keith, it is "simple, eloquent, and profound".

Books are available at a cost of $12.75. All are welcome.

--Jan Carlson

Forums. The Word steering committee will be planning a number of forums for the coming year. Previous forums have focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a Community Forum focusing on local candidates and issues for the general election.

The Church’s Library is quite extensive. It includes a number of excellent reference books, in addition to a variety of current books on topics of interest in our Christian journey.

The Capital Christian, our church newsletter, is published twice a month and includes news of the activities of our own congregation, as well as the larger church at work in the world. Information regarding the special events of our neighboring churches is also included as we participate in Interfaith Works, an association of faith communities in the Olympia area.

Lectionary Bible Study

The Lectionary refers to scriptures selected to be read on the Sundays of the church year. The major scriptures and themes are read over a three year cycle. In year A we read Matthew's Gospel. In year B we read Mark's Gospel. In year C we read Luke's Gospel. But there are four Gospels. So we read John's Gospel especially around Christmas, Lent, and Easter each year. Texts from John's Gospel are also used in the year for Mark's Gospel, as it is short. The Gospel readings usually work through the Gospel chapter by chapter.

When Advent begins (4 Sundays before Christmas) we begin a new Gospel cycle. In December of 2007 we will begin reading Matthew.

There are four readings for each Sunday.

Usually Old or Hebrew Testament
Psalm
Epistle (the letters) - from the New or Greek Testament
Gospel

The Psalm is designed to comment on the Old Testament lesson.

We use the Lectionary in worship, although not slavishly. We often read all four lessons, but not always. The discipline of the Lectionary keeps us from leaving out texts we'd rather avoid and helps us cover a broad spectrum of scriptures.

The Church Year

The calendar for the church begins at a different time that our Julian calendars. The church calendar begins with Advent. The four Sundays before Christmas are the season of Advent, as we prepare for the gift of the Christ Child. Christmas is actually a season lasting 12 days. Epiphany begins January 6th, recalling the visitation of the Magi. This season varies in length. Lent is 40 days, not including Sundays. It begins with Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of confession recalling Jesus' temptations in the desert before he began his ministry. Lent prepares us for the joy of Easter. Every Sunday recalls Christ's resurrection from the dead and is a mini-Easter. During the week before Easter we have a special service on Thursday, commemorating when Jesus shared the bread and cup with his disciples, from which we receive the Lord's Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. Good Friday is the day we recall Jesus' death on a cross. On Easter we celebrate Christ's resurrection. Easter is also a season and it lasts until the day of Pentecost (varies in length), when we recall the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is also a season that lasts from spring until the end of November. It is the longest season of the church year and is also called Ordinary time.

Tuesdays 11 AM - Lectionary Bible Study in the Library

This small group studies the scriptures for the following Sunday. We talk about what we believe and don't believe. We hear each others questions while encouraging and challenging each other. This Bible study helps us prepare for worship. Rev. Mary Olney-Loyd leads it. We generally study for an hour - but sometimes our lively conversation keeps us going a bit longer.

We welcome folks to try this group out!