FAQs about Worship at Ithaca First
1. Why do we ring a bell before worship begins?
Beginning in the fourth century, bells were rung in cities loudly so the farmers in the fields would know when it was time to come into the city and worship. Bells were rung at various points in the day and it differed from city to city, but most Christians kept a fairly strict pattern of daily worship and prayer three times (Morning, Noon, Evening). The worship was corporate (public) and led by the priests and bishops of the city. We ring a bell as a reminder that we are beginning something important: the worship of the triune God.
2. Why do we have a spoken Prayer of Confession and time for Silent Confession?
The unison Prayer of Confession, or act of corporate confession, acknowledges that we all sin and fall short of God's glory as a whole, and so we confess together our shortcomings and offenses as a community. The silent confession is the opportunity to confess to God our own personal sins to God. The confession is followed by the Assurance of Pardon, which is the reminder of the assurance of God's grace, declared in the name of Jesus Christ, that we are forgiven. We accept God’s forgiveness, confident that in dying to sin, Christ raises us to new life.
3. What do the colors in the sanctuary mean?
The colors in the sanctuary reflect the current season of the Christian Year (also called Church Year). For the Christian church, our new year begins with the season of Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) and ends the following November with Christ the King Sunday. During the course of the year, we tell two connected stories. From Advent through Pentecost, we tell the story of Jesus: his birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and his pouring out of the Holy Spirit. From Pentecost through Christ the King, we tell the story of the Church and explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The colors and their meanings are as follows (thanks to our brothers and sisters at Southern Heights Presbyterian Church):
YES! We are a multi-generation church, and we love kids of all ages! For more information about what is available for your child at First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, please see our Children in Church page.
Beginning in the fourth century, bells were rung in cities loudly so the farmers in the fields would know when it was time to come into the city and worship. Bells were rung at various points in the day and it differed from city to city, but most Christians kept a fairly strict pattern of daily worship and prayer three times (Morning, Noon, Evening). The worship was corporate (public) and led by the priests and bishops of the city. We ring a bell as a reminder that we are beginning something important: the worship of the triune God.
2. Why do we have a spoken Prayer of Confession and time for Silent Confession?
The unison Prayer of Confession, or act of corporate confession, acknowledges that we all sin and fall short of God's glory as a whole, and so we confess together our shortcomings and offenses as a community. The silent confession is the opportunity to confess to God our own personal sins to God. The confession is followed by the Assurance of Pardon, which is the reminder of the assurance of God's grace, declared in the name of Jesus Christ, that we are forgiven. We accept God’s forgiveness, confident that in dying to sin, Christ raises us to new life.
3. What do the colors in the sanctuary mean?
The colors in the sanctuary reflect the current season of the Christian Year (also called Church Year). For the Christian church, our new year begins with the season of Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) and ends the following November with Christ the King Sunday. During the course of the year, we tell two connected stories. From Advent through Pentecost, we tell the story of Jesus: his birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and his pouring out of the Holy Spirit. From Pentecost through Christ the King, we tell the story of the Church and explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The colors and their meanings are as follows (thanks to our brothers and sisters at Southern Heights Presbyterian Church):
- Green (presence): used in what is called "Ordinary Time," the time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, and Pentecost and Advent. Because the color green is so often associated with life, the use of green during the seasons and the times when there is "nothing special" going on in the life of the church (no big festivals or holidays) reminds us that God is present among us, breathing life into us and into our church.
- Purple (preparation): the color that is used during our seasons of preparation: Advent and Lent. During both of these seasons (the four Sundays before Christmas and the 40 Days before Easter not including Sundays, respectively), we are to dedicate ourselves for the preparation of our hearts and minds for welcoming Christ. Purple is also the traditional color of royalty, and so some give nod to this as a reason why we use purple during these seasons. In some tradition, the color Blue is used interchangeably with purple during the season of Advent.
- Red (spirit): traditionally, only be found on one Sunday during the liturgical year: Pentecost, where the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early church as tongues of fire. Since the color has so closely come to be associated with the Holy Spirit, red vestments are also appropriate for the celebration of the sacrament of baptism, and on the occasions of ordinations, installations, and confirmations.
- White (holiness): any time we are celebrating days that emphasize the divinity of Christ: Christmas, Easter, Baptism of the Lord, Christ the King, and so on. For the most part, if you find white paraments in the sanctuary, you are worshiping on a day that has great significance to our understanding of Jesus as God. Also, since white has come to symbolize holiness, it is also often used for the celebration of both sacraments (baptism and communion).
YES! We are a multi-generation church, and we love kids of all ages! For more information about what is available for your child at First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, please see our Children in Church page.
Do you have other questions? Send us a message on the Contact Us page, or ask Pastor at church!