Worship in Lent provides an opportunity for a congregation to reflect significantly on our faith. Unlike Advent and Christmas, Lent is free from the excitement busyness and commercialism that distract us as worshipers. We need to hear God's voice afresh. The Passover tradition is a wonderful vehicle for that kind of listening, writes Betty Lynn Schwab.

Visions Of Lent, Year 1 (three-book series) is a resource for congregational worship on each of the six Sundays in Lent. Special to Year 1 is a Maundy Thursday communion service.

The series provides congregations with a weekly presentation, which may be placed in the worship service. Each presentation offers a symbol. Symbols for Year 1 are Passover-related.

Symbols are:

• The bitter herbs

• The scorched shank bone

• The green herbs

• The fruits and nuts

• The unleavened bread

• The roasted egg

Betty Lynn Schwab, Saskatoon, Canada, is an ordained clergy woman serving on the staff of Meewasin Valley United Church. Her CSS books include two Christmas Eve services and one Advent wreath-lighting book. She was also a contributor to 56 Lectionary Stories For Preaching.