Introducing Singing the Seasons

Anglicanism has a rich tradition of worship that is deeply rooted in the rhythms of the liturgical year. Each season in the Church calendar invites us into a distinct spiritual focus, shaping our faith and practice as we journey through the life of Christ. Music as a profound means of engaging with these seasons, providing a vehicle for prayer, reflection, and theological formation.

For the next year, we will seek to deepen our engagement with the Anglican hymn tradition. This project, Singing the Seasons, will help us immerse more fully in the liturgical calendar by exploring the hymns that have accompanied the Church’s worship for generations. Through the seasons, we’ll learn how sacred music not only expresses the themes of church year but also deepens our engagement with the spiritual realities they represent. As we sing these hymns together, we participate in a tradition that spans centuries, linking us to the wider body of Christ across time and space.

The Season of Lent

Lent is an especially solemn and reflective season in the liturgical calendar, observed as a time of preparation for the joy of Easter. Spanning forty days (excluding Sundays), Lent recalls the period of fasting and temptation that Jesus endured in the wilderness following his baptism. This period of trial mirrors other significant biblical events, such as Moses’ forty days on Mount Sinai and Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, reminding us that throughout salvation history, God’s people have been called to seasons of purification and renewal.

The central themes of Lent include repentance, self-examination, and dependence on God’s grace. It is a time when we acknowledge our sinfulness and brokenness, as well as the brokenness of the world. At the same time, we also lean into the assurance of God’s mercy and the promise of transformation.

The liturgical tone of Lent reflects this introspective and penitential focus. During Lent, alleluias are omitted from the liturgy and lyrics, and our music takes on a more subdued, meditative tone. The hymns chosen for this season reflect these themes, guiding us through the spiritual journey of Lent by calling us to repentance, reminding us of Christ’s own suffering and steadfastness, and leading us toward the hope and renewal found in his resurrection.

Hymns for Lent

Our processional hymns for Lent this year have been chosen to reflect the season’s themes of penitence, humility, and renewal. They remind us of our need for God’s mercy, the call to walk faithfully through trials, and the invitation to deepen our commitment to Christ as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these hymns so that we can passionately sing together as we gather on Sundays.

As we engage with these hymns throughout the Lenten season, I pray that they become a source of reflection, reverence, and renewal for our community.

~Bradley Hansen, Music Coordinator