Planning ahead
For traditional Lutheran congregations, the season of Pre-Lent begins this year on February 8, and runs for three Sundays. Here are the seasonal customs for this time, from the wonderful liturgical resource Lex Orandi:
The Season & Customs of Pre-Lent
The three Sundays before Ash Wednesday are called Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima. These Sundays are privileged, not yielding to any other celebration. From Vespers on the eve of Septuagesima until Shrove Tuesday, the Alleluia is omitted, the Gloria in Excelsis is not sung except on festivals, and the Benedictus replaces the Te Deum in Sunday Matins. Flowers may still be used and the organ played as usual.
At Vespers on the Eve of Septuagesima, the Alleluia, the ancient exclamation of joy and praise, is officially silenced and is not heard again until Vespers on the Eve of Easter. The Alleluia is bidden farewell by singing it twice after the prayers in Vespers, thus: V. Bless we the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia. R. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, allelua. Hereafter, the acclaimation “Praise to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory” is substituted for the Alleluia. Also, the Alleluia verse is omitted from the Gradual at Mass and the Tract is used in its place.
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and the color of the season is VIOLET (not green)!
Probably should make a distinction between traditional Lutherans and traditional Lutheran congregations.
Dan (the former, in a congregation moving away from the latter).
D@NR: You are quite right. I’ll change it.