By Laura McClain
The Church has observed Lent since the fourth century. The Forty Days, or Quadragesima, marked the most intense period of fasting and study for catechumens prior to their baptism. Along with the catechumens, the whole congregation entered into this penitential season in preparation for Holy Week. With the approach of Lent in just over a month, many clergy may be considering seasonal changes to their Sunday liturgies to guide people into this penitential season. A shift in the liturgical tone contributes to the spiritual formation of your congregation in a unique way.
Lenten changes in Sunday worship don’t need to be complicated. The Anglican tradition offers simple but profound adjustments for Lent that can easily be done in your church services. These changes are both ceremonial and liturgical in nature, and involve changes to the physical space, the liturgy itself, and our bodily postures in worship. As you consider making changes to your Sunday mornings during Lent, here are three ideas you might consider to guide your people into the Lenten season.
Simplicity in Your Worship Space
Changes to your worship space will necessarily differ with every church, as every environment is different (especially with church plants!), but the general tone in Lent is one of simplicity. Artwork in the sanctuary (unless it depicts the Passion), and images of Christ the King may be veiled with simple, unbleached linen. Ornate processional crosses may be exchanged for a plain wooden cross (a practice which dates back to the Medieval era). The most common liturgical color for Lent is penitential purple or violet, but some churches opt for what is called the Sarum “Lenten Array” of unbleached linen and deep red (or “oxblood”) vestments. These “rougher-looking” vestments are reminiscent of biblical sackcloth and ashes. The days for lighting the Paschal candle include the entire season of Easter and any Sundays when there are baptisms. But since there are no baptisms in Lent as it is a season of baptismal preparation, the Paschal candle should be put away until Easter.
While such subtle changes to the worship space may seem trivial, thoughtfully preparing your physical environment communicates that Lent is a different and special season, set apart from ordinary rhythms for a particular purpose.
Penitential Changes in the Liturgy
Liturgical developments to the Lenten liturgy arose over the centuries as a means of inviting the Church into the penitential work of those preparing for baptism, and those preparing for readmission into communion after falling away from the Christian life. The most important and devotionally beneficial elements to the Lenten liturgy focus on the Penitential Order, which places the Confession early in the liturgy, before the Liturgy of the Word. This order helps to guide your congregation into a greater awareness of their need for repentance. After the Collect for Purity, the Decalogue is read, followed by Confession and Absolution. The people then hear the Liturgy of the Word in light of the hope of God’s forgiveness.
Another liturgical addition that you might consider is adding in the Prayer of Humble Access (We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord…”) during the Eucharistic liturgy. Like the Decalogue, this is a Lenten practice particular to Anglicanism. Its use in the Eucharistic liturgy intentionally disrupts the joyful, expectant character of the Eucharistic prayers with a note of somber penitence.
Physical Posture Shaping Our Spiritual Posture
Typically, when we think of physical, bodily practices during Lent, our minds go the practice of fasting. Fasting is important, but is geared toward the individual’s Lenten practice. A corporate “bodily” practice you might consider for your church is kneeling. Kneeling is a practice that has fallen out of use in many churches for practical reasons. However, for the season of Lent, kneeling is an unparalleled bodily expression of repentance. Corporate kneeling in confession, in particular, is a powerful posture, all the more so because it is a practice rarely done in our broader culture. The penitential liturgies (noted above) offer a greater opportunity to emphasize the practice of kneeling as a penitential posture that can shape the life of the church during the Lenten season. If at all possible, you might give serious consideration to the inclusion of kneeling during Lent for all who are able.
The Anglican tradition offers rich resources for worship during Lent. These practices are an opportunity to shake us out of our complacency and adopt a new rhythm of life, preparing the hearts of all who enter in for the simultaneously somber and joyous celebration of Holy Week. Churches that delve into this tradition will find deep reward in the wealth of our Anglican Lenten tradition.
Laura McClain is a graduate of Wheaton College. After serving in various capacities at All Saints Church in Durham, NC, St. Peter’s in Tallahassee, FL, and Christ Church Plano, Laura served as the Associate for Traditional Liturgy & Worship at Church of the Incarnation, in Dallas, TX.