Vespers
March 6, 2022
Scripture Texts: Daniel 9:3–10; Hebrews 2:10–18; John 12:44–50
Sermon: The Turned Face of Lent
Vespers is found on page 142 of the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). We also sing "Now, All the Woods are Sleeping," hymn number 276 in the LBW.
Evening Prayer
Order of Prayer
[Last Sunday] the church sang the last Hallelujah, and Lent begam. From time immemorial the Alleluia has been omitted from the services of the Church during the season dedicated to the remembrance of the Passion of our Lord. The last Alleluia dies away in chapel and cathedral, and while the echo still lingers among the rafters, the violet paraments of sorrow are placed upon the altar. It will be Easter morning before the Alleluia is heard again…
There is wisdom in this. It is another and profound difference between the Church and the world. The world never willingly abandons joy. Worldly people hang on to happiness with all the gusto they have — until, inevitably, it is taken away from them. They want to forget that the line of life must sometimes go down into the darkness of sorrow. It is never easy, but it is a great deal better to go down willingly than to be driven down like a slave.... To give up joy by the strength of Him who gave up heaven is a part of the way by which joy and heaven will return. Easter can come only to the heart that has known Lent.
O. P. Kretzmann, "The Pilgrim" in The Cresset, Valparaiso University