Music During Lent

As we all know, Lent is near. In the early churches and still in some Catholic Church traditions, the “Gloria” sections in music are omitted during worship services for Lent. Psalms are used instead. I follow this tradition and look for music that is more calm, meditative, prayerful, and intimate during the Lenten season.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday –February 13 this year. Even though Lent may not be as exciting as Advent, it is certainly one of my favorite seasons. I have thought that one similariity between Advent and Lent is “preparation.”  Even though preparations are totally different in Advent and Lent, our hearts prepare in similar ways. We anticipate and prepare with excitement during Advent for the birth of Jesus and we prepare with prayers and repentance for resurrection through the Cross during Lent. Many people give up one or two things for Lent to remind themselves to be more aware of the meaning of Lent. How about you? Are you planning to do something special during this Lenten season?

I have decided to participate in our Lenten study, along with reciting Psalms to myself each day. I am excited and I pray that I will grow more mature in my faith in Him during this time.

This Sunday, you will be offered a moment to think about the coming season of Lent through the song, “Kyrie” at the 11:00 AM service. This Kyrie is from a cantata titled, “Memorial” that was composed in memory of the victims of the September 11 tragedy. This particular song is written in Latin, “Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison (Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy). “ A Kyrie has been sung as an opening prayer for years. It pleads for God’s mercy first before we offer anything to God during worship. I have chosen this song intentionally for this Sunday to prepare our hearts for Lent . We can humbly ask that God’s  mercy and grace be upon us so that we are healed and cleansed.

Children’s voices of praise will be offered at the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services and the Floris Strings will share a prelude, “Just a Closer Walk ”as a prelude at the 11:00 AM service.

Let’s lift up together, “Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison” with our hearts.