Our Lenten Journey Begins
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...