Here's a sampling of some of our past Seasonal Worship Events.
Ash Wednesday
An evening service with the Imposition of Ashes.
Lenten Agape Meals
We host a simple evening meal of soup, salad, and bread on most Wednesday evenings during Lent. Agape is Greek for "sacrificial love". The church requests a contribution equal to what one would have spent on a more elaborate dinner to help feed the hungry. The meals are an opportunity to explore spiritual matters during the Lenten season while sharing in fellowship with others.
Palm Sunday
We celebrate Christ’s entry into Jerusalem with the distribution of palms and special music. Service is held at the usual time.
Maundy Thursday
Communion and the Office of Tenebrae are celebrated on the Thursday before Easter Tenebrae (Latin "Shadows") is an ancient and moving liturgy that traces the events of Holy Week through the crucifixion. The service concludes in total darkness leaving us to await the dawn of new life on Easter.
Easter Sunrise Service
In cooperation with GILA (Greenbelt Interfaith Leaders Association, a Sunrise Service is held at 7:00am at the Greenbelt Lake at Buddy Attick Park. Members of other area churches will join together for prayer, scripture readings, meditation, and singing. Be sure to bring blankets or chairs. In case of rain the service is held at Greenbelt Community Church, United Church of Christ.
Easter Sunday Service
A joyous service of celebration is held at 10:15am. The children participate in an egg hunt during the service.
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service
Greenbelt is a city that embraces its diversity, just as GCC does. The city's faith communities have formed the Greenbelt Interfaith Leadership Association (GILA) that meets to share ideas and to coordinate joint events. This group sponsors an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 7:30 p.m. at a different house of worship each year. The focus is on gratitude and thankfulness that all of the faith communities share. A Combined Choir performs during the service and ecumenical hymns are shared by the gathered worshipers. As the rabbi said one year, "Only in a city like Greenbelt would a rabbi and a Baptist preacher share the same dais."
Advent
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Certainly one of the most beautiful services of the year occurs on Christmas Eve at 7:30 PM. Candles light the Sanctuary and the chancel is filled gorgeous poinsettias, The service ends with the congregation lighting more candles and singing Silent Night.
