processionalhymn) one personwallis down the aisle with an JuneA. Beck is AssistantDirector of Music at Grace United acolyte's wand and extinguishesone purple candle.That person MethodistC hurc h in Kokom.o.I ndiana. might pausebefore and after putting out the light, reflecting on "people" what did to Christ! Many musicalofferings come to mind to useas candles arebeing extinguished. Here are a few suggestions. LentenWreath 1. EachSunday a personmight sing (a cappella)a "Were different stanzaof You There." This will "Were includeEaster with the stanza: you therewhen Supplies they raisedhim from the dead?" 2.The organistmay softly play variationson Choral "O Preludessuch as SacredHead." PowerfulSymbol 3. The choir could sing an appropriatehymn or short anthem. 4. A time of total silencewould be appropriate. by JuneA. Beck EachSunday a// six candlesare lit by the ushersbefore worshipand one more candleis extinguished. During Advent we anticipateand prepareourselves for Example: Christmasand the birth of Christ. The candlesin the Advent SecondSunday - two purple candlesextinguished Wreath help us keep frack of the Sundaysleading up to Third Sunday- threepurple candlesextinguished Christmas,reminding us of the four principalthemes of joy Advent: hope,peace, and love. Check the candlesand be preparedto move them during One Advent Sunday,as the appropriatecandles were lit, the week so they won't bum out during the service.The chosen I beganto think about Easterand the fast approachingLenten personwould put out the shortestcandle(s) each week exclud- Season.Advent finds a parallel in Lent, as both are seasonsof ing the black candle.Three black candlesare neededfor the six preparation.While Advent has its fulfillment in Christmas, weekssince the one candle will bum for five worship services. celebratingthe birth of Jesus,Lent concludeswith the Cruci- The black candlewill be put out only on Palm Sunday. fixion, followed by the triumph of Easter. The Lenten Wreath ceremonycan be a truly emotional I thoughtwe might convey,in a visual way, the contrast experiencefor the personextinguishing the candles.Be of the seasons.Could we extinguishcandles instead of lighting sensitiveto that and choosethe people carefully. Use a differ- them?What about starknessinstead of color? ent personeach week: youth, marriedman, widow, widower, After working through severalideas with our minister, etc.Try to involve severalgoups within the church. we developeda Lenten Wreath which has proven itself to be a In addition to the Lenten Wreath, it had already beenour valid symbol of the season.It is filled with meaningfor the customto use no flowen on or besidethe Communion Table congregationand especially thosewho actually participateby duringLent. Instead,we usebouquets of thorns.Since it is extinguishingthe candlesduring the services. difficult to seethem othenwise,we drape purple ribbon spar- Here are the suggestionsfor thosewho might like to ingly throughthe thoms. createtheir own Lenten Wreath: Easter

Removeall candlesand thorns from the wreath. use fresh flowers and live greenery.Wire the leaveson the wreath, first making sure to provide a very full, greenbase for the flowers that come next. Wire the flowers over the greenery.Use whateveris in bloom in the yard or call a florist for help. Use six white candlesand the Christ candle from Advent. Illustrationsby JoanneKelly, Kokomo, Indiana At the samemoment in worship,have one personwalk If possible,utilize the Advent Wreathframe used in down the aislewith a lightedacolyte wand. The personwill December.Make extra basesor holdersfor the two additional light all six perimetercandles and the Christ candle while the candles,since Lent hassix Sundaysinstead of the four of soloist/organist/choirconcludes whatever was begun six weeks Advent. Wire hawthorn or pyracanthabranches with blg thorns earlier. all around the wreath (ust the sameas you would use greenery Altar Flowers: We use a mixture of all spring flowers for during Advent). Use enough thorn branchesso that they can Easter-not just lilies. By using hyacinths,jonquils, daffodils, easily be seenby the congregation. tulips,etc., and the lightedLenten/Easter wreath, the sanctuary Use five purple candlesand one black candlein the six visually comesto life. The Lenten Wreath and the Easter holders.On the first Sundayof Lent all six candlesare lit and Wreathhave become important symbols in our services.I wish at the appropriatemoment in worship (usually following the the sameresponse for thoseof you who try thesesuggestions.l-l January1991 173