The Season of Lent in Liturgy and Music

A Note from Interim Director of Music, Karl Robson

• An absence of the word “Alleluia” in our spoken and sung liturgy.
  
• The Summary of the Law, a portion of the Book of Common Prayer’s Penitential Order (p. 351), follows the Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity.
  
• A setting of the Kyrie (a Greek translation of the Hebrew phrase “Have mercy on me, Lord,” found often in the Psalms) replaces our typical Song of Praise. The hymn “Take my life, and let it be consecrated” replaces our typical hymns at the Presentation (Old 100th and America).
  
• The Eucharistic Prayer (Prayer 1 from Enriching Our Worship, a liturgical supplement published in 1998) traces the arc of human failure and redemption through the whole biblical narrative.
  
• The Fraction Anthem (sung at the Breaking of the Bread) is a setting of Agnus Dei, a Latin hymn (“Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us / grant us peace.”)
  
• Hymns and choir anthems spanning the corpus of the Western canon: not only songs of despair, but also of hope and reconciliation.
  

The robust congregational singing at St. John’s has inspired me to expand our horizons a bit—we will sing the appointed Psalms together at the 10:15 am service during Lent using simplified Anglican chant, a method created by Robert Knox Kennedy in 1979 as a practical gateway to congregational participation. Remember that the word “Psalm” itself means “song,” and the Psalter is the Church’s original hymnal; ancient Israel’s musicians would find it more than a bit shocking to find people speaking the Psalms in American churches today. On Sunday, February 18, I will lead a brief “crash course” in simplified Anglican chant in lieu of a musical prelude, and in order to further simplify things, we will use the same chant every Sunday during Lent.

There's no one way to observe a Holy Lent. We invite you to explore these opportunities for study, reflection, and prayer:

SUNDAYS

Lenten Sunday Forum: Short Stories of the Old Testament

February 18; March 10 and 17

Some of the shortest books of the Bible have some of the most impactful stories. For three Sunday mornings in Lent, join us at 9:15 am in Shears Hall as we explore the books of Ruth, Daniel, and Esther. What wisdom can we learn from their stories? How can they help prepare us to faithfully follow God in challenging times?

• February 18 - Ruth
• March 10 - Daniel
• March 17 - Esther

WEDNESDAYS

Lenten Wednesday Holy Communion

7:30 am

Begin your Wednesday with this abbreviated service. Coffee and light refreshments will be available in Shears Hall after the service.

WEDNESDAYS

Lenten Wednesday Bible Study: Exodus

In Person AND via Zoom

Join us in exploring the book of Exodus in a special hybrid Bible Study during Lent. Meeting in person AND over Zoom from noon to 1:00 pm, we’ll explore the stories of Moses and the Israelites using the online Yale Bible Study resources. Feel free to watch the videos in advance or just join in the discussion in person or via Zoom. If attending in person, you are welcome to bring your lunch.

• February 21 - An Introduction to Exodus
• February 28 - The Burning Bush
• March 6 - Plagues
• March 13 - Passover
• March 20 - The Crossing of the Sea

WEDNESDAYS

Lenten Wednesday Evening Program: Atlas of the Heart

February 28; March 6 and 13

Join us for a simple supper and program. Supper will be served 5:30–6:15, with programming for adults, youth, and children 6:15–7:30 pm. Interested in volunteering to help provide supper? Please sign up below or contact Julie DeLong.

Social scientist Brené Brown’s latest book Atlas of the Heart explores the 87 emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. Using episodes of the HBO mini-series based on the book (found HERE), we’ll have conversation about how we relate to one another and the world around us.

Children and youth will use several books to explore Mindfulness and Emotions.

ANY DAY

Each week during Lent, we will offer a few questions to ponder. We hope you use these questions to engage in conversation with family and friends. Set aside some time a few days each week to be intentional. Consider lighting a candle or making a cup of tea as you walk the journey with Jesus to the cross. Please sign up HERE to receive a few texts each week with questions to ponder. We will also print materials for those who need it.