ALTAR GUILD / COLORS OF THE CHURCH

The Altar Guild at St. Paul has the duty of caring for the altar area, which is in the front of the Sanctuary and includes the altar (table) where Jesus offers His body and His blood for all of us during Communion.

There are cloths, banners, prayer books, the plate and cup, candles, and many other things we use symbolically. Special preparations are made during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter and All Saints Day, as well as for baptisms, weddings, and memorial services.

In the Lutheran Church, there are various colors used throughout the year. The colors we use — whether in the altar area or in what the pastor is wearing — all have significant meaning and a rich history.

BLACK – represents ashes, humiliation and mourning

BLUE – represents hope and is used during Advent

GOLD – represents God's Kingdom

GREEN – is used for the majority of the year at various times

PURPLE – represents royalty and remorse

RED – is used for Reformation Sunday and during Holy Week to represent passion

WHITE – is used for festival occasions celebrating Jesus, including Christmas, Epiphany and Easter; it represents gladness, purity, light and the joy of Christ

In formal Christian terms, the "Church Calendar Wheel" below might be helpful: