tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22004751.post6629958184556572914..comments2023-10-25T03:02:40.851-05:00Comments on Proclaiming Softly: Lenten Music brings reflection and remembranceLoieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083454353846306345noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22004751.post-41915467891607447092007-04-07T12:02:00.000-05:002007-04-07T12:02:00.000-05:00I think parents often forget how much they influen...I think parents often forget how much they influence their children by what they "just do." And maybe there are times that needs to be explained, but when it is obvious that it is a time priority, that speaks volumes.<BR/><BR/>[Also by what they don't do!]<BR/><BR/>A few years ago, my younger daughter said something about "having" to attend the Wed. evening Lenten service. We thought she meant that she was part of the service, leading something. But no, it turned out that she just wanted to be there. She was getting there on her own, so there was nothing forced. Unfortunately that year the pastor we had included lots of hymns, talking, and other stuff that dragging out the length of the service. My daughter was disappointed because she had been looking forward to a contemplative service, as she remembered from prior years. <BR/><BR/>Pastors and church leaders could probably do more to "sell" the concept of attending church during Holy Week, rather than just "mentioning it" on Palm Sunday.<BR/><BR/>A 40-somthing year old woman, raised in our congregation, attended Wed. evening services this year for the first time because her husband is on the council. She was very happy and said how wonderful the whole evening was and how she just didn't know and how we should explain it more to other people. <BR/><BR/>Hmmmmmm Don't just assume that people know what this is all about. If they haven't been there, they need a special invitation.LoieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977264499770654307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22004751.post-40475169878301524362007-04-07T09:54:00.000-05:002007-04-07T09:54:00.000-05:00I am so happy to have gone to the Holy Week servic...I am so happy to have gone to the Holy Week services as a child--probably forced, i don't remember. But now, as a leader, it saddens me to see how few people attend the services that retell and recreate the very heart of our Christian faith.<BR/><BR/>Last night, our two-year old was the only person under 15 at the Good Friday service. He ate his cookies, sometimes listened intently, sometimes colored, and was fascinated by the candles. When the sanctuary was dark, he was saying "Light on. Light on." I think he gets it. and I hope he will have the meaning of these stories as a part of who he is.Anna Sorensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12282584909692804697noreply@blogger.com