Praying Twice

The Second Sunday in Lent February 25, 2018 Today is the Second Sunday in Lent. In the Episcopal Church, one of the ways we mark the changing seasons of the liturgical year is by choosing a different mass setting to sing throughout each season. Through music, we can establish a distinctive tone for worship, ranging from joyful and exuberant to quiet and reflective. What is a "mass setting?" It is a musical setting, usually by a single composer, of the "ordinary" of the mass - the prayers that are sung or said as a part of every Eucharistic celebration, regardless of the season or occasion. During Lent, we usually sing three of these prayers, which are often referred to by their Latin names: "Lord, have mercy" (Kyrie eleison) "Holy, holy, holy Lord" (Sanctus) "Jesus, Lamb of God" (Agnus Dei) During Lent, we sing a peaceful, lyrical mass setting by Franz Peter Schubert. Schubert was an Austrian composer who lived from 1791-1828...

The First Sunday in Lent February 18, 2018 T oday is the First Sunday in Lent, a season of penitence, repentance, and renewal. During these forty days, we prayerfully prepare for the annual observance of our Lord’s passion and resurrection. Our worship reflects the contemplative nature of the season. We sing a peaceful, reflective mass setting by Franz Schubert (more about that next week) Psalms and prayers are intoned using simple, ancient chants A longer period of silence is observed after the readings and at the breaking of the bread The word "Alleluia" is not spoken or sung There are no flowers adorning the altar The sound of the organ is less brilliant. The festival trumpet stop (the horizontal pipes on the back wall) will not sound again until Easter. Preludes and postludes - often based on Lenten hymn tunes - are more subdued. Today's 10:30 Eucharist begins with a fine Anglican tradition: the chanting of the Great Litany in procession. We can trac...