Celebrations and the Local Church (1RA0)
The festivals of the Christian year, from Advent to Easter, and how the local church is a centre of worship, community and outreach for the people around it.
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The heart of the community
The Christian year is marked by celebrations, from the waiting of Advent to the joy of Easter. For most Christians, these are shared at the local church. The local church is far more than a building. It is a centre of worship, of community, and of outreach to the people around it. This module looks at both the celebrations and the church that holds them.
The Christian celebrations
Four key celebrations run through the Christian year:
The days of Holy Week
Put the main days of Holy Week in the order Christians remember them.
- Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem and crowds wave palm branches
- Maundy Thursday: Jesus shares the Last Supper with his disciples
- Good Friday: Jesus is crucified and dies
- Easter Sunday: Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
Match each celebration
- Advent
- Christmas
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Preparing and waiting in the run-up to Christmas
- The birth of Jesus
- The crucifixion and death of Jesus
- The resurrection of Jesus
The greatest celebration
What event does Easter Sunday celebrate?
- The resurrection of Jesus
- The birth of Jesus
- Jesus riding into Jerusalem
- The gift of the Holy Spirit
What the local church does
The local church serves its members and its wider community in two connected ways.
Serving the community
Select the TWO ways a local church often serves its wider community.
- Running a food bank for people in need
- Hosting a youth club for local young people
- Deciding the laws of the country
- Collecting taxes for the government
Working together, looking ahead
Christian denominations do not always agree, but many work together for unity. This is called ecumenism, for example when churches join for a shared service or through Churches Together. Looking to the future, many Christians feel called to mission and evangelism: sharing their faith so the Church grows. This follows Jesus's command to his disciples to take the good news to all people (see Mark 16:9-20).
The Christian year in words
The season of _____ is a time of preparation before Christmas, when Christians celebrate the _____ of Jesus. On Good Friday they remember his _____, and on Easter Sunday they celebrate his _____. Three churches on one street sharing a single Sunday evening service, and running a food bank between them, are practising _____.
Reaching out
The local church reaches OUT to help its community. Tap the TWO examples of the church serving others beyond itself.
- Running a food bank for those in need
- Praying quietly at home alone
- Hosting a youth club for local teenagers
- Reading the Bible in private
- Lighting a candle in personal prayer
Through the Christian year
Use what you know about the celebrations and the local church to answer each question.
- During Advent, what are Christians preparing to celebrate?
- On Good Friday, which solemn event do Christians remember?
- Several local churches of different denominations hold a joint service. What is this an example of?
The centre of the community
Explain how the local church acts as a centre for the Christian community. Refer to worship, celebrations and outreach. Write in clear, full sentences.
- Describe how the church brings people together for worship
- Give an example of a celebration the church shares through the year
- Give an example of the church reaching out to help the community
- Explain what ecumenism is and why some churches value it