Lent Begins, and Praying Twice Begins Its Third Year!

The First Sunday in Lent
March 1, 2020



Today 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 
  • 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 trace its origins to the fifth century. The Litany was the first English language rite prepared by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury and a leader of the English Reformation. Published in 1544, it has been a part of our worship ever since.

Today also marks the second anniversary of Praying Twice, which began on the First Sunday in Lent, 2018. I hope that you have found this blog to be informative and inspiring. Onward to Year Three! 

Finally, please join us for Choral Evensong this afternoon at 4:00 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. The Trinity Cathedral Choir joins with the choirs of All Saints Episcopal Church and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church each Lent for this distinctly Anglican liturgy of sung Evening Prayer. Learn more here: Lenten Evensong
Music for the First Sunday in Lent
March 1, 2020

 Hymns
142   Lord, who throughout these forty days (St. Flavian)
143, stanza 5   The glory of these forty days (Erhalt uns, Herr)
318   Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face (Nyack)
150   Forty days and forty nights (Aus der Tiefe rufe ich)
149   Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church (Old 124th)

 Service Music
The Great Litany, S-67
Kyrie eleison, S-96   Franz Peter Schubert, arr. Richard Proulx
Psalm 32   Plainsong, Tone III
Sanctus S-130   Schubert/arr. Proulx
Agnus Dei S-164   Schubert/arr. Proulx

 Anthem 
Create in Me a Clean Heart     Healey Willan

 Voluntaries
Organ chorales: Erhalt uns, Herr     Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Walther


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