The Fourth Sunday In Lent (Laetare)
The Fourth Sunday In Lent (Laetare)
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
In today’s lesson from the Gospel according to Saint Luke, the prodigal son returns home. “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Today’s 11am Eucharist is “Festal” because it is Laetare (“Refreshment”) Sunday. Included in this Festal Eucharist are hymns sung by the congregation and choir, additional music sung exclusively by the choir, lessons, prayers, a sermon, and a Rite I Mass. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Because of Laetare, you will also notice the rose (instead of violet) vestments on the clergy and the rose frontal on the altar. Flowers, which on all other Lenten Sundays are not used in the church at all, also appear on the altar.
‚ñ∫The Rector anticipates Holy Week in his weekly audio message.
‚ñ∫You may make your Easter flower memorials, and/or donate to this year’s Easter drive, here.
Music notes: Schubert composed his G major Mass in the space of six days in March 1815 at the age of 18. The Kyrie highlights the effortless melodic gift we associate with Schubert. The Sanctus begins in a manner reminiscent of Haydn, with an assertive rhythmic accompaniment, and the ensuing fugue on ‚ÄúOsanna in excelsis‚Äù demonstrates the composer’s assured grasp of counterpoint. The Benedictus features an extended trio of soloists, before a reprise of the Osanna. Soprano and bass soloists take turns in the Agnus Dei, beginning solemnly in E minor but moving back to G major for the final dona nobis pacem – as truly peaceful a phrase as Schubert ever penned.
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