Tag Archives: Lent
Music for Holy Week and Easter
My recent forays into Liturgical music op-ed writing aside, the real purpose of this blog is to provide some ideas and suggestions for Lectionary-appropriate songs each Sunday. But (and I know this will disappoint my faithful readers) I’m not going to provide a handy list for Holy Week. Here’s why: Mostly, you need to do [...]
Fifth Sunday of Lent
The lectionary readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year C) tell us very plainly that God is “doing something new!” What a refreshing thing to hear from sacred scripture- perhaps our music for the Fifth Sunday of Lent can pickup that theme.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
While planning music for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, focusing on God’s love and grace is the order of the day, but we don’t want to stray too far from the need for repentance, either.
Third Sunday of Lent
Selecting music for the Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) was pretty tough, only because I couldn’t get a handle on what the Exodus reading had to do with Gospel. When choosing music for Mass, I try to figure out what the connection is between the readings, and then find songs and hymns that illustrate, illuminate, or expand on those ideas.
But the readings for the Third Sunday of Lent were a bit tough this time…
Second Sunday of Lent
The songs for the Second Sunday of Lent need to do two things. We must do our best to help our congregations experience the mountaintop. Through the words and the music (what is written, and how we play/sing it), we can give people a sense of God’s great loving promise, and Christ’s transcendent light.
But we cannot lull people into a complacent sense of “isn’t this inspiring.” We cannot let ourselves or our congregations build a tent up there or tarry long…
Hymn for Second Sunday of Lent, Year C
This new hymn text for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year C (the Transfiguration), is an attempt to capture what I see as the throughline of the day’s readings: God keeps promises, and God’s ultimate promise is that we shall stand in God’s presence, seeing God face to face, and this encounter will sanctify us.
Hymn for the First Sunday of Lent, Year C
There are simply not enough songs for the First Sunday of Lent (Year C). Humbly, then, I offer you this new hymn text, inspired by the lectionary passages of that Sunday.
First Sunday of Lent
The readings for the First Sunday of Lent brings us into the desert. Indeed, Lent is a desert season- a time when we find ourselves in that place of reflection, purification, testing, and enlightenment. Our ancestor in faith was in the desert, a “wandering Aramean.” Jesus, too, our brother as much as our Lord, is tempted and tested in the desert.
Ash Wednesday
As Lent begins this year, and you find yourself planning your Ash Wednesday service, push yourself to expand your musical choices. Find the right songs and find the right styles. Consider instrumentation, consider voicing, consider speed, consider style, consider Christian musical traditions outside of your own.