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LYRICS OF LENT
A Lenten hymn study explores the words and music for this liturgical season.
The music of Lent is notable in its distinctive tone. “It’s solemn-sounding ... the hymns are not considered upbeat,” said the Rev. Rebecca “Becky” Richie, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St. in Canfield.
“There is definitely a different sound to the music,” she said.
The sound of the season of reflection and renewal and the words of the hymns will be explored during a Lenten hymn study that the Rev. Ms. Richie is conducting at the church. Sessions are planned at 9:30 a.m. Sundays, including this weekend, and March 7, 14 and 21, and at 5 p.m. Tuesdays, including a session next week and March 9, 16 and 23. The evening session will be followed by a soup supper at 6 p.m. and evening prayer service at 7.
Ms. Richie started as pastor of the church on Oct. 11, 2009; she was ordained Oct. 10. She has a master of divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. “I had done a study of hymns at seminary,” she said, noting it was part of her field education.
“I wanted to give this a try,” she said of the hymn study. “I enjoy music and getting to know more about it.”
She said the study will include probably five hymns including three that are especially well known. They are “The Glory of These 40 Days,” “Holy Jesus — How Have You Offended” and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.” “We’ll take a closer look at the words,” she said.
The pastor said Lenten hymns are often in minor keys. “The words may focus on struggles of people in the past and speak to how God has helped them,” she said.
Ms. Richie described Lent as a time we face “the struggles of being human.” “Now is the time to appreciate the love it took for God to give his son,” she said. “The hymns are meditative ... they focus on the struggles of humans and the grace of God helping us in the struggle.”
Ms. Richie hopes that participants in the hymn study “will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Lenten season.”
The pastor said, “The tone of the services are counter cultural.” She pointed out that God leads us on a path that is different from worldly ways.
The Lenten season, she said, is a time of reflection and renewal. “We reflect on our lives and the struggles we have and try to understand the importance of God in our loves,” she said. “It’s a time for us to realize we have a savior and our lives are in his hands.”
Ms. Richie said many people think of a Lent as a time to give up something. But, she suggested to her congregation that it is a time to add something to their routine. She suggested something like the hymn study, a Bible study or other program that focuses Lent. In the church newsletter, she wrote, “I would encourage you to instead to add something that will increase your understanding of the ways of Jesus. Your Lenten journey can enrich your Easter experience as you learn about the way of Jesus that was the way of the cross.”