As in Advent, The Good News-Goodtime Band's Lenten music on Saturday night tends towards the celebratory rather than the penitential; in most of the songs there is a theme that we all sin; that we have burdens as a result; that the sure and dependable relief is readily found in the person of the Risen Lord-- Christ-- as well as in His understanding and parallelling of our human experience.

For Lent we use mostly our Yellow Songbook. The second in our series of songbooks, it covers hymns and a good number of earthy songs from the vintage Black Gospel tradition. Because it's dedicated to the visiting musicians who've played with us, I especially like using it in that time of year when weather usually prevents out of town visitors from coming our way. It reminds me that good times with them are not so far from us.

The other great thing about the Yellow Songbook is that it has songs in it that are a little challenging for the people to sing along with-- so it prompts us to use a lined-out, teaching approach. The resulting increased involvement and interaction from the pews is so.... Anglican, even in our unique Saturday-night application of Anglican approaches to spirituality.

This year we did actually have one visitor who sat in, a returnee who gave us a GREAT spur-of-the-moment offertory on a night we sorely needed supportive relief! :~) We even got in a supper and house jam with him before he left town later that week (sound captured to send a UK Catter). Unusual to fit that in, in our house, during Lent!

Today being Good Friday, and thus quite busy for us, I thought I would just get this thread started in case y'all can add any celebratory Lenten suggestions of your own (a great resource for NEXT year). I'll post more on ours after Easter-- the songs we actually used this year and last year.

CELEBRATORY songs, for LENT?!?!?!? Sure! :~)

~Susan