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Visual reminder of Lent Pebbles prompt reflection
By LINDA M. LINONIS
canfield
Sometimes all it takes is a small reminder to bring things into focus.
Judy Camp of Lord of Life Lutheran Church said pebbles will play a part in motivating church members to take a minute in their busy lives to reflect and meditate during Lent.
“We wanted to do something different,” said the chairperson of the liturgical arts and design team.
Pebbles were selected as a “visual” representation for church members to concentrate on the theme of forgiveness.
“Pebbles can be positive or negative,” Camp said. On the positive side, a pebble might represent something worthwhile or be a decorative element in design or landscape. On the other hand, a pebble in one’s shoe is a source of irritation.
“We want the pebbles to motivate people toward a spiritual focus,” Camp said. Visuals that have been made by the liturgical team include three dark purple banners and two light purple banners with black crosses. Camp said the banners, which are for various seasons in the church year, help enhance the atmosphere of worship.
Church members can pick up the pebbles during Ash Wednesday services at noon and 7 p.m. or the first Sunday in Lent. Camp said there also will be a vase filled with black pebbles on the altar during Lent as re-inforcement.
“Black pebbles seemed to fit,” Camp said, noting Lent is a somber and reflective time in the liturgical season. She added that the pebbles are easily carried “in pocket or purse.”
Camp, a member for six years, said the pebbles project has been explained in the church newsletter and will be in the church bulletin. The liturgical arts and design team prepared a booklet, “Lent, A Time for Reflection and Prayer.” It offers a prayer of the day for the Sundays of Lent and a verse from the Bible on which to reflect during the week.
The verses deal with forgiveness and include the Prodigal Son, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and Jesus asking God the Father to forgive. The Bible verses, Camp said, are meant to get participants thinking about what forgiveness means.
“We want people to think about their lives ... if they need to forgive or ask forgiveness,” Camp said. “It might be time to make peace with someone in a situation that is not resolved.”
The pebbles aren’t the only Lenten activity at the church. On Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 28, there will be fellowship at soup suppers followed by worship with hymns, Scripture and prayer.
The Rev. Rebecca Richie, pastor, said this worship “will be a time for many people to get away from their busy lives. It will offer renewal, meditation and worship.”
The pastor continued that a quiet time would be incorporated in the worship. “Moments of silence are an opportunity for reflection,” she said.
Pastor Richie said though Lent is often seen as a sad time and period of self-denial, “it is not meant to be a time of mourning.”
“It’s a time of reflection. We’re a broken people, and we’re in need of what Easter brings ... the Resurrection,” she said. “Lent is a time to reflect on the gift of new life that is coming.”
The church observes the first Sunday of Lent as Pretzel Sunday when church school children make and bake pretzels during the Sunday School hour. The pretzels will be shared with members after worship.
Mary Lou Drotleff, church secretary and member, provided background on Pretzel Sunday. She said the custom had been observed at Lord of Life for some 15 years or more.
The information noted that in the early church Christians avoided rich foods such as meat, cheese, eggs and milk during the 40-day period known as Lent leading up to Easter. Among foods eaten was a special bread shaped into arms crossed, which was a symbol of meditation and reminder to contemplate one’s sins. The simple dough was made from flour, salt and water.
The bread, called bracellae, is Latin for “little arms.” As the custom spread to Europe, bracellae became betzel in German, meaning “little bread.”
The background material notes salvation is equated to a banquet. The Bible relays that in Isaiah 25, the prophet envisions Israel, when its salvation comes, at a banquet of rich foods and wines.