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Highlights of the Church Year
"This is the
day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
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Advent
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Hurlbut
Church celebrates the seasons of the Christian year which begins early in December
with the traditional Hanging of the Greens to prepare the church and our
hearts for the season of Advent. Crafts and activities for people of all
ages are offered. A hearty meal and Christmas desserts are highlights. The
evening ends in the sanctuary with a worship service.
We gather around the Advent Wreath each week. Families offer prayers and
readings while they light the candles of love, hope, joy and peace.
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Christmas
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On
Christmas Eve we welcome the Christ Child with two candlelight services
featuring the traditional scripture readings, special music and joy-filled
hymns.
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Epiphany
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On a
Sunday in January (usually the fourth) we welcome the Chautauqua Reunion
Choir. Choir members gather for a weekend retreat and sing very special
music at Hurlbut's Worship service on Sunday.
On winter weekends Chautauqua Institution hosts sleigh rides around the
picturesque grounds. On a Sunday afternoon in February there is a sleigh
rally to attend.
In the spring we celebrate Boy Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sunday with
scouts participating in the worship service with their families as guests.
Fun, food and fellowship are eagerly anticipated at Hurlbut Church Family
Camp eachFebruary. Fun learning activities are planned for people of all
ages in a weekend retreat at nearby Camp Findley.
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Lent
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We enjoy a delicious Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper followed by a worship service to prepare our hearts and mind for the
season of Lent.
Wednesdays
during Lent we serve a light breakfast and hear a message to help us
practice the spiritual disciplines.
On Maundy Thursday we attend the congregatonal Passover meal followed by
the solemn Service of Darkness, the Tenebrae.
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Easter
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Alleluia!
Easter dawn finds us near the Miller Bell Tower on the shore of Chautauqua
Lake to witness the empty tomb. It is usually chilly and we linger over hot
coffee and treats following the service.
The traditional Easter service in the sanctuary is spectacular with joyous
hymns and fragrant lilies!
Hurlbut's active youth groups prepare a Soup and Muffin Luncheon for worshipers
on the first Sunday of every month. A free will offering is used for a
mission of the youth group's choice.
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Pentecost
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During the summer we serve the community by being
summer home for the Chautauqua Hebrew Congregation. We host various
Chautauqua Institution Summer School classes and community groups. Church
leaders serve the Department of Religion as Youth leaders, and take
responsibility at various denominational houses out the grounds.
Through
our summer Meal Ministry we serve weekday lunches and weekly Thursday night
dinner to the Chautauqua community during the summer season. In the summer
of 2004 130 volunteers served over 6000 meals. Proceeds benefit the mission
and ministries of Hurlbut Church.
On Commitment Sunday in the fall we celebrate the gifts we've been given
and ask God's will for sharing our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and
our service with others.
On the Sunday nearest All Hallow's Eve we solemnly remember church friends
who have passed away during the year.
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