Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Every year beginning Ash Wednesday and through the season of Lent, we worship without using the word “alleluia” in our services. The following information helps to explain the reason this is done. According to “Frequently Asked Questions: Worship Formation & Liturgical Resources” from the section located on the ELCA Website: Based on the Hebrew word, hallelu yah, meaning “Praise the Lord,” alleluia has been a word of great praise to God in the life of the church and was prominent in early Christian liturgies. Because of the penitential character of the season of Lent in the Western church, singing or saying the word “alleluia” has historically been suspended … Continue reading →