Moravian Lovefeasts

What is a Lovefeast? 

The early Christians met and broke bread together to signify their unity, fellowship, and love.  In 1727, the Moravian Church revived this practice, and it has established the custom of celebrating the great church festivals by sharing together a simple meal known as a "lovefeast."  The first lovefeasts of the Moravian Church in North America were held in Savannah Georgia, during the years 1735 to 1740.  The first lovefeast in North Carolina was held on the evening of the arrival of the first Moravian colonists in the settlement of Bethabara on November 17, 1753.

The Children's Lovefeast is a favorite Moravian tradition that honors the faith of children in the church.

Christmas Eve Lovefeasts are part of our Moravian Christmas celebration too.  Each year we have two Christmas Eve services at 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm to honor the birth of our Savior.  The services are usually crowded, so please allow time to get here early.

The Christmas Lovefeast, with its lighted candles, is one of the most beautiful traditional services of the Moravian Church.  The custom of lighted candles originated on the European continent at Marienborn in the year 1747, and spread throughout the Moravian world.  The first Christmas Lovefeast, held on Christmas Eve in Bethabara, NC was in 1753.  Every person is given a lighted candle as a reminder that Christ said, " I am the light of the world," and "You are the light of the world - let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." (Matt 5:16)

 

Holy Week Services

 

 

Glory be to Christ Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life. He was dead, and behold he is alive forever and ever. Those who believe in him, even though they die, yet shall they live. Glory be to Christ Jesus, in the church which waits for him on earth, and in the church which is around him in heaven, from everlasting to everlasting.

 

 

Ash Wednesday Service - 7:15 pm
This is a brief service to begin the season of Lent which includes music, reflection, meditation, and the use of ashes for those who wish them.

Palm Sunday Services - 10:30 am
Palm Sunday is always a wonderful day of worship as we give praise to Jesus, our King!  On this first day of Holy Week, we will celebrate with an 8:45am and 11:15am Lovefeast Service.  These services will include contemporary songs of worship, favorite traditional hymns with a brass band, prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, Palm Sunday scripture readings, and a Moravian Lovefeast meal.  This is a service for the whole family.

Maundy Thursday Service - 7:00 pm
Beginning with a Seder meal at 6:30 pm, this is a reflective service of readings, Holy Communion, and prayers for healing.

Good Friday Tenebrae Service - 7:00 pm
Before our Good Friday service, we will host a Journey to the Cross experience at 7:00 pm.  Our Good Friday service itself is filled with readings, drama, and music.

Easter Sunrise Service - 6:30 am
This is a special early morning community-wide sunrise service, which is held outside on the grounds of our church campus.  As the sun rises, so too do we acknowledge the death and rising of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Traditionally, this is a community-wide event with sister churches joining us in celebration.  We host a reception inside the church following the service of sugar cake, bagels, juice and coffee.

Easter Service - 10:30 am
Come and join us in celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!  If you cannot attend the sunrise service, please join us for our other service at 10:30 a.m. on this blessed day!  There will be no Christian Ed Classes on Easter Sunday.