ARE WE PREPARED?

The season of Lent, to me, has always felt to be a time of preparation and getting things in order, and of making changes. Part of that most likely comes from the fact I am a church musician - time to end the post-Christmas lull and plan the upcoming months - and because living in Wisconsin means thinking of spring and cleaning up "all things winter". In the church, it means simplifying the church interior to create a feeling of "focus on Lent". The vestments are purple (or Lenten array natural linen with black & dull red), crosses are veiled, simpler candlesticks, no flowers - all set the stage for a time of penitence. It's a simple, quiet time to reflect on Our Lord's life and how His life affects our lives.

But after setting the stage, our altar guild minds are already planning Holy Week services and the ultimate Easter celebration. It's a time of pulling out vestments from last year and finding needed repairs, of searching for the ashes and linens needed for cleanup, of making sure palms are ordered, and every detail planned for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter. Do we have enough communion bread and wine? New candles? Is someone lined up to launder the large linens? Do we know what each service needs? Are we prepared?

Telling God's Extraordinary Story involves so much behind the scenes. It is the ultimate drama and, just as God commanded Moses and Aaron to prepare a place for Him, we prepare to include everyone in His continuing story. His story is more than just words - it is sights and sounds, colors and textures, simple solemn backdrop, and a glorious sunrise. It is bringing God into our midst so that we can be with Him as we experience and live as part of His story.