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8 ways to set apart Lent as a special season of the year:
- omit prelude/postlude music
- change to a simpler musical style
- use simple a cappella music
- use a setting of the service music that is reserved for penitential seasons. In churches that don’t use service music (such as a Gloria), sing the same hymn every week of Lent, such as during the offertory or at communion.
- at the beginning of choir rehearsals, lead the choir in a Lenten prayer or a short devotional
- explore hymn themes outside of the “Lent” section of the hymnal (but watch out for sneaky Alleluias!)
- if you use prelude music during Lent, play longer preludes (10-15 minutes) as a mediation time for the congregation, perhaps including hymn texts or scripture in the bulletin to complement the music
- if your church observes Laetare Sunday, use bolder music to distinguish it from the other Sundays of Lent
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