Praying Twice

The Fifth Sunday in Lent March 29, 2020 The opening words of Psalm 130, appointed for this Sunday, resonate more deeply this Lent. As we face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our voices rise in prayer for health and healing. Martin Luther Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote the words and music for Hymn 151, "From deepest woe I cry to thee," a metrical version of Psalm 130. Luther, a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, established the tradition of metrical paraphrases of psalms for congregational singing. This was one of his earliest creations. The tune, Aus tiefer Not , is also attributed to Luther. In the German Lutheran tradition, the hymn was sung frequently for penitential occasions and funerals, and it was associated with the teaching of the catechism.  As a result, numerous German composers created organ chorales based on Aus tiefer Not . "Organ chorales" are organ compositions based on a "chorale," a German Lutheran hym...

The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 22, 2020 During the current COVID-19 pandemic, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will offer a short prayer service on Sunday mornings. Join us live at 9:00 a.m. CDT on Sunday, March 22.  Anyone can access the service here:  Trinity Cathedral Omaha . (You do not need to be a Facebook user to join us.) Today is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Laetare Sunday . The name comes from the traditional Latin introit to the Mass, "Laetare Jerusalem" (Rejoice, O Jerusalem). It marks the hopeful halfway point on our Lenten journey to Easter Day, and it is set apart from the other Sundays in Lent through the use of rose vestments. In England, it is referred to as "Mothering Sunday," originally a time when people returned to their "mother church" (the church where they were baptized). Servants were given the day off to return to their home churches; this was often the only time that families could celebrate together, since time off was rarely...

UPDATE: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all public worship in the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska has been suspended for several weeks. This post was written prior to the cancellation of our Sunday Eucharist. However, you can still read the post and listen to the recording. I hope that it will provide strength and comfort in these trying times. Praying Twice will return when we resume our regular schedule.                                                                                            -Marty Wheeler Burnett The Third Sunday in Lent March 15, 2020 Psalm 42, 15th century illuminated manuscript Today's readings focus on themes of water, thirst, and Jesus, the living water. Our anthem, "As panting deer," is a metrical paraphrase of Psalm...

The Second Sunday in Lent March 8, 2020 Psalm 121, appointed for this Sunday, is a favorite of mine. In addition to chanting the psalm to an ancient plainsong tone, we will sing a metrical paraphrase, "I to the hills will lift mine eyes." (Hymn 668) The words to this hymn are drawn from a 17th century Scottish psalter. The tune, Burford , dates from the 18th century. It appeared in over 200 English collections in the 19th century and gained popularity in the United States as well. Our reading from John's gospel is the source of our offertory anthem text:  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16) Like the psalm, this lesson reminds us of God's never failing presence and love. Numerous composers have set these well known words to music. Today, we're singing a setting by a contemporary British composer, Bob Chilcott. This sensitive arrangement for a c...