Entering Into Lent … with The Great Litany Sunday, March 9th @ 9:30 AM

Beloved ones, let us enter into the Season of Lent – this first Sunday of Lent – praying with ‘The Great Litany.’ It is a moving tradition, in our Episcopal Church, to turn our hearts to God in the solemnity of these ancient words.
A Cantor will lead us in chanting this Litany, and our Choir will guide our chanted responses. We will be invited to kneel or be seated, as able, during this prayer.
You will find The Great Litany on page 148 in your Book of Common Prayer.
The Episcopal Church tells us of the history of this ancient prayer. It is:
“an intercessory prayer including various petitions that are said or sung by the leader, with fixed responses by the congregation. It was used as early as the fifth century in Rome.
The Litany was the first English language rite prepared by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. It was first published in 1544. Cranmer modified an earlier litany form by consolidating certain groups of petitions into single prayers with response.
The Litany’s use in church processions was ordered by Henry VIII when England was at war with Scotland and France.” https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/great-litany-the/
The Penitential Order
Beginning on March 16th , we will begin our liturgy each Sunday with the Penitential Order, inviting us to focus on Confession early in the service. This is found on p. 351 in the Book of Common Prayer.
‘Rite 1’ – Remembering our History During Lent
On Sunday, March 23rd , we will use the ‘Rite 1’ version of Holy Eucharist, an older liturgy, found on p. 323 in the Book of Common Prayer.  
​According to The Episcopal Church, “The Rite 1 liturgies reflect the language and piety of the Elizabethan era and the first Book of Common Prayer, although the structure of these liturgies also reflects the influence of modern liturgical scholarship.”
Some of us will find the language of Rite 1 familiar and comforting, as we grew up with it. Others may find this departure from contemporary language an invitation into a new awareness of our history. On March 23rd, our Choir will chant the Psalm. And, as part of our observance of this history, our communion will be shared in silence.