Winding up to next Easter

The next Easter Sunday will be 4th April 2010, unless you are following the Orthodox calendar. Only 48 more weeks to go, and only 42 weeks until the beginning of Lent on 17th February.

So don't let the next Lent and Easter creep up on you unawares. Be ready.

I hope you've enjoyed Exploring Prayer and journeying around our Labyrinth. Come back for more next time.

This site might be rather quiet until nearer that time, but in the meantime feel free to make comments and ask questions. I'll be listening!

Labyrinth - Jesus Lives!

No. 12 The Resurrection

Bible Text
He is not here; He is risen.

Matthew Chapter 28, verse 6

Prayer
Risen Lord,
Remind us on Easter Day and every day
That your love continues through all things,
Your power is supreme over all things,
And your presence is with us in all things.
Assure us of the victory you have won over death and darkness.
Amen.

Labyrinth - Jesus Crucified

No.11 The Crucifixion
Bible Text
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John Chapter 3, verse 16

Prayer
He carried the cross to Calvary,
Carried its burden for you and me,
There on the cross He was crucified
And, because He suffered and bled and died,
We know that whatever “our cross” may be,
It leads to God and eternity……
For who can hope for a “crown of stars”
Unless it is earned with suffering and scars,
For how could we face the living Lord
And rightfully claim His promised reward
If we have not carried our cross of care
And tasted the cup of bitter despair……
Let those who yearn for the pleasures of life,
And long to escape all suffering and strife,
Rush recklessly on to an “empty goal”
With never a thought of the spirit and soul……
But if you are searching to find the way
To life everlasting and eternal day –
With Faith in your heart take the path He trod,
For the way of the cross is the way to God.

Labyrinth - Road to Calvary

No. 10 The Road to Calvary

Bible Text
They led Him away to be crucified.

Matthew Chapter 27, verse 32

Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You know what it’s like to take the hard road,
To be forced to go where you do not want,
To carry burdens that are too heavy,
To collapse under the strain.
We see people needing help every day.
May we never be one of the bystanders, but be ready to help.
Even if it is hard.
Even if all we can do is wipe away the sweat and dust.
Amen.

Labyrinth - Trial

No. 9 The Trial

Bible Text
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.
“I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.

Matthew Chapter 27, verses 20-26

Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You were a victim of an unfair trial,
Of false and distorted evidence,
Of an unjust and brutal sentence.
May we never forget Prisoners of Conscience of our own day,
May we find courage to speak and act against injustice,
May we never turn away and wash our hands of our responsibilities.
Amen

Labyrinth - Denial

No.8 Denial

Bible Text
“Jesus said to Peter, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you!” And so said all of the disciples.

Matthew Chapter 26 verses 34-35

Prayer
Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For Yours is the Kingdom and the power
And the glory forever.
Amen

Labyrinth - Betrayal

No.7 Betrayal

Bible Text
“Then one of the twelve disciples – the one named Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.”

Prayer
In the friend I let down
In the secret I let out
In the confidence I broke
I betrayed you,
Jesus forgive me.

In the person I passed by
In the needs I ignored
In the victim I had no time for
I betrayed you,
Jesus forgive me.

In the homeless person I avoided
In the eyes I did not seek
In the wealth I did not share
I betrayed you,
Jesus forgive me.

Then, you forgave,
Jesus, now forgive,
Place a new spirit within my heart.

Labyrinth - Garden of Gethsemane

No.6 Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane

Bible Text
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”

Praying Hands

Holding your thumb, remember the people closest to you.
Holding your first finger, remember those who help us.
Holding your middle finger, remember those people who lead us.
Holding your ring finger, remember those people who need our love and prayers.
Holding your little finger, remember to pray for yourself.

Below: Looking out from the Garden at the Labyrinth

Labyrinth - Jesus Washed Feet

No.5 Jesus washes the Disciples’ Feet

Bible Text
“I am your Lord and Teacher, and I have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash each other’s feet. I have set an example for you so that you will do just what I have done for you.”

Prayer
Lord, teach me to pause here always to say: “First wash me!”
I rush around your world at such a pace. I tramp through the dusty streets without first having my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Teach me to say: “First wash me." Then it will be time to go and find the needy ones, to tell them where they can find cleansing too.

Labyrinth - The Last Supper

No.4 The Last Supper

Bible Text
“The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather as a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.”

Luke Chapter 22, verses 14-20

Prayer
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest;
To give, and not to count the cost,
To fight, and not to heed the wounds;
To toil, and not to seek for rest;
To labour, and to ask for no reward,
Save that of knowing that we do Thy will;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

St Ignatius Loyola (1491 – 1556)

Labyrinth - The Withered Fig Tree

No. 3 The Fig Tree

Bible Text
Jesus said that the fig tree would never bear fruit; and by the next day it had withered.

Action
There are some green leaves. Please take one and write on it something you pray will grow and flourish, and hang it on the branches.

Also there are some autumn coloured leaves. Please take one and write on it something you pray will wither away and vanish, and place it under the fig tree.

Prayer
Lord of Heaven and Earth,
You bless us with fruit for healing and delight.
May we, watered by the abundance of living water you pour upon us,
Bring forth the fruit of faith and life lived according to your will.
Amen



Response
As you may notice from the second photo above, as the day progressed the fig tree grew many green leaf prayers for growth and flourishing, and many brown leaf prayers for withering and vanishment were scattered at the foot of the tree.

Labyrinth - Clearing the Temple

No. 2 The Clearing of the Temple

Bible Text
And Jesus went into the Temple of God and overthrew the tables of the moneylenders and the seats of them that sold doves.

Prayer
Holy Father, we are in awe of Jesus’ anger when he dealt with the moneychangers who defiled the Holy Temple. In stormy times, help us to be still so we listen to Your call to follow the right path. Dear Lord, help us to obey You. We want the desires of our heart to be in keeping with your desire for us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Labyrinth - Palm Sunday

No. 1 Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem

Bible Text
Hosanna! Hosanna! God bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!

Prayer
Son of David, Prince of Peace,
Jesus of Nazareth, King of Kings,
The joyful crowd surrounded you
On the road to Jerusalem,
Shouting loudly, ‘Hosanna’,
And waving palm branches.

So too, we join with our friends,
And journey along with you,
Towards the Cross at Calvary.

People protested,
And told your supporters to “Be Quiet!”,
But you replied that even the stones
Would shout “Hosanna” and “Messiah”.

Today, we also wave our branches in the air,
And shout out, “Hosanna to the Son of David,
Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Messiah,
Jesus our Lord”

Amen

Jesus is risen from the tomb!

The Easter Labyrinth at Winchburgh has been an awesome event this past two days. Many people have commented that they have experienced a fresh appreciation for what Jesus accomplished for all of us that first Easter.

Some people have commented that they have felt God speaking to them as they contemplated the various displays reminding us of the events of that first Easter Week. Others have been in tears as they felt God challenging them, encouraging them, or inspiring them.

One of the church elders, who has been at the church all his long life, said that this was the best thing that had ever happened at the church.

Although each of the contributors played their part in putting together the complete Labyrinth, we must give God the credit. He gave us the idea, co-ordinated our efforts, inspired each one of us, and enabled us to bring this experience to the people of Winchburgh and the surrounding communities.

God came amongst us, lived with us, died for us, and is risen from the dead! Hallelujah. Jesus is Lord, and will reign for evermore!

Come along and join the party!

Easter Labyrinth - Opening times for Visitors

On Good Friday from 10am to 4pm, and the next day Saturday from 10am to 1pm, the Easter Labyrinth in Winchburgh Parish Church will be open for visitors.

The Labyrinth is a meandering path through the sanctuary that passes by representations of twelve scenes from the events of that first Easter Week. The pathway is lined with comfortable chairs and as you amble along the Labyrinth you can stop to sit at any time to think and contemplate the scenes as you pass them.

Refreshments will be available after you have been through the Labyrinth, and before you go in as well if we are not too busy. Entry is free and you are welcome to stay for as short or as long a time as you like.

The events of that first Easter Week were possibly the most significant and momentous events in the whole of human history. Don't let this Easter pass by without spending some time to consider their significance for you.

The Winchburgh Easter Labyrinth offers you the time and space to slow down and think about Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Prayer for Palm Sunday

Son of David, Prince of Peace,
Jesus of Nazareth, King of Kings,

The joyful crowd surrounded you
On the road in to Jerusalem,
Shouting loudly ‘Hosanna’,
And waving palm branches.

So too, we join with our friends,
And journey along with you,
Towards the Cross at Calvary.

People protested,
And told your supporters to “Be Quiet!”,
But you replied that even the stones
Would shout “Hosanna” and “Messiah”.

Today, we also wave our branches in the air,
And shout out, “Hosanna to the Son of David,
Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Messiah,
Jesus our Lord.”

Amen

Exploring Prayer - what next?

Yesterday was the last of the six evenings during Lent that we spent Exploring Prayer. We have enjoyed our time together, and all of us have felt a deepening of our prayer lives as a result of our explorations.

The Praying Hands above are carved from Olive Wood in Palestine. They are 6" (150cm) high, cost £12, and are available from the Hadeel shop in Edinburgh.

In one sense it was sad that our group had come to the end of its time together. However, we do have more to look forward to. We have been contributing prayer material to the Easter Labyrinth project, and are looking forward to experiencing the Labyrinth on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th of April.

On the plus side, the group has decided that we would like to continue meeting - both to continue learning about prayer, and to pray for our congregation, the parish, and the world.

We probably won't continue to meet on Wednesdays, but the details of when we meet, and how we organise, have yet to be decided. We do hope to have the first of our new meetings on Thursday 7th May 2009.

Labyrinth Laid-out

On Friday last week we had an opportunity to try out our proposed Labyrinth layout in Winchburgh Church. We moved all 120 chairs - and afterwards we moved them again, ready for the Craft Cafe on Saturday. The chairs are very comfortable, but they're heavy too! Thanks to Charlie for his mighty labours!

If you recall my draft sketch from 3rd March you might be able to see from the above photo that we have ended up with something much more curvy and artistic than the straight lines I had originally envisaged. The new layout is much better.

Of course, the above photo only gives a hint at the final layout. Actually I took 12 photos - one for each of the 12 scenes. But if I showed you all these now what would you have left to see? Come along on April the 10th, our Grand Opening Day, and see the final layout and all 12 of our crafty and artistic scenes!

This week, the Labyrinth group will be meeting on Tuesday at 2pm as usual at Winchburgh Church.

The Exploring Prayer group will be meeting on Wednesday at 7pm in the same place. This week we will be reviewing the past five weeks, discussing any left-over questions, and any new questions. We'll also be thinking about what we want to do next.

Anyone interested will be very welcome at either of our Lenten groups - even if it's your first time!

Labyrinth and Prayer - Week 5

This week the Labyrinth Group meets as usual at 2pm on Tuesday at Winchburgh Church. On Wednesday the Exploring Prayer group meets on Wednesday at 7pm also at Winchburgh Church. This week our topic will be "Growing in Prayer".

And on Saturday 28th March, there will be a Craft Cafe from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Admission is £1.20 which will entitle you to tea or coffee and goodies, and there will be a range of craft goods to buy, including Easter novelties, as well as home baking and bric-a-brac stalls. All monies raised will go to church funds.

Does Prayer Work?

Last week, during our discussion on “Does Prayer work?”, one of us remembered this poem:

"I asked the Lord for a bunch of fresh flowers
but instead he gave me an ugly cactus
with many thorns.

I asked the Lord for some beautiful butterflies
but instead he gave me many ugly
and dreadful worms.

I was threatened,
I was disappointed.
I mourned.

But after many days,
suddenly,

I saw the cactus bloom
with many beautiful flowers.

And those worms
became beautiful butterflies
flying in the Spring wind.

God's way is the best way."

This poem was part of an address given to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in Seoul in 1989 by Dr Chun-Ming Kao, a delegate from Taiwan.

Dr Kao was a prisoner of conscience in a Taiwanese prison for four years, three months and twenty-one days. His crime was to help a human rights leader who was wanted by the police.

He told the conference:
“Many of you sustained me and my family with your love and constant prayers.
Many people asked me whether I felt that the 4-year imprisonment was a great loss. My answer has been that the 4-year imprisonment was a great blessing. I deeply felt that the Lord changed my grief to a great joy.
Usually when people were arrested and imprisoned as political prisoners in Taiwan, they became very lonely, because they would lose many friends; even their parents, wives, brothers and sisters would not dare to visit them.
But the Lord gave me many friends when I felt lonely and depressed in prison. I received many letters from Taiwan, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. The churches in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Australia. Japan, Korea, Taiwan and elsewhere, sent their representatives to visit me in prison or my family at home. WARC also informed many churches throughout the world of my case, and asked many people to pray for me and my family. Even Pope John Paul II sent his representative to visit me in prison. I was greatly comforted by you, your church, and many Christians throughout the world.

The Lord sent me as a missionary to the prisoners. No pastor was permitted to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the prison. But the Lord sent me there as a prisoner. I was able to live with other prisoners from different backgrounds. There were businessmen, soldiers, government officers, fishermen, engineers, gangster bosses and young people who had committed robbery, murder and other crimes. It was a great opportunity for me to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to my fellow prisoners. The more I preached the gospel, the more I felt it was impossible for me to convert anyone. But in spite of our human weakness, the Lord changed many of them to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The full text of Dr Kao’s speech can be found here.

Labyrinth nears Half-way

It is almost halfway through the 40-day period of Lent and the Winchburgh Labyrinth is taking shape. The individual scenes have been started and are progressing towards completion. The layout has been designed and adjusted and we'll be trying it out in the church on March 28th. That's the day of our Craft Cafe, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. We've been planning the logistics of people coming and going, and also thinking about publicity too. The Labyrinth will be open on Friday 10th April and Saturday 11th April too. Times have yet to be finalised - so watch this space!

In the meantime, the next meeting of the Labyrinth Group will be tomorrow afternoon, 17th March at 2pm, at Winchburgh Church. Everyone who is participating will be welcome, as will anyone who is interested to help out, or just to find out what is happening.

Prayer is more than Petition

In our journey Exploring Prayer this week, on Wednesday 11th March at 7pm, we will be discussing how prayer is more than presenting God with a shopping list of our own requests and demands. We will be looking at mystical and monastical prayer, and having a go ourselves.
If you've not been part of this group before we will be very glad to see you at Winchburgh Parish Church at 7pm on Wednesday. Refreshments when we finish around 8pm.

Trinity Prayer

Here is a prayer that was written at last week's Exploring Prayer.

Lord of the skies,
King of the earth,
Ruler of the oceans,
I praise you, my Creator.
As my Father God, you enfold me in your arms.
As my Brother Lord, you lead me by the hand.
As my Spiritual Guide, you fill me with your peace.
Father, Son, and Spirit, all together One,
I worship you,
Amen.

Labyrinth wends its way onwards

The next meeting of the Labyrinth Group will be on Tuesday 10th March, at 2pm in Winchburgh Parish Church. As well as continuing to discuss overall design and arrangements, we also intend to review and assist with the design of the individual scenes or representations of the events of Holy Week.

If time and materials permit, then we may do some of the creative craftwork too.

Newcomers are welcome even if you are merely curious or want to chip in your tuppence-worth.

Why Does Prayer Seem Difficult?

Why does Prayer seem difficult?
The short answer: because, at some time or another, for every one of us, it is! If you are in any doubt, you only have to read the account of Jesus praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46). On the other hand, “there are no atheists in a foxhole”. Even the most sceptical pray fervently when life is at stake. But ordinary people, in ordinary circumstances, can find praying hard.

During the Anglican Baptismal Service, the priest makes the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead and says: “Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin, the world and the devil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life”

A wise instruction, as those three enemies stand in the way of prayer.

Sin: You might call it Original Sin, or human nature, or “your inner slob”, but we’ve all got it. It’s what makes us tend to take the easier option, whether it’s the second cream cake, or prayers “forgotten” because we didn’t make the effort (or because it would have meant facing up to things on our conscience!)

The World: During World War II, CS Lewis wrote: “As Christians, we live in occupied territory.” The situation, if anything is worse today: we live in an increasingly materialistic society that pushes us away from the need and the motivation to pray.

The Devil: The name Satan comes from the Hebrew for “the Enemy”. Satan is also called the Father of Lies, and one of his favourites about praying is that voice of doubt that whispers “I’m no good at this.” (So what? God understands, and is pleased that you are trying. Does the fact that Pavarotti’s voice was better than yours stop you singing in the bath?)

Some ideas for fighting back!

Time Pressure: Take 5: if you don’t have regular time for prayer, think carefully where you could best squeeze in even five minutes. (Also: be creative, use trigger times, places and actions, and arrow prayers.) If you do have a regular quiet time, why not increase it by five minutes? Or find another five minutes at another point in your day? But consider: Are you perhaps over-committed? Is this permanent? Is there an adjustment you should make?

Distraction: You settle to pray and suddenly you remember dozens of things that you perhaps should have done or will have to do, worries and fears. So: can you find a prayer partner or small group to pray with? Can you make these cares and concerns part of your prayer. But consider: Are you listening? Are you being gently told to go and do something?

Dryness: Your prayers seem lifeless, routine has become a rut. Be open to new ways of doing things. Find someone to pray with. These times happen and usually pass; don’t struggle: tell God you’re having problems reaching Him. But consider: Are you tired? Are you otherwise well? Do you need to talk to your minister or an elder?

Labyrinth Shape's Up

We had a good Labyrinth meeting this afternoon. Some people brought preliminary designs for their Scenes, and others progressed their scenes in discussion with the rest of us. We decided the opening times on Good Friday and the next day, which some call Easter Saturday. We also chose a tentative layout, as you can see above, although we have yet to try it out in the sanctuary.

The Exploring Prayer group meets tomorrow, Wednesday 4th March, from 7pm to 8pm as usual, with refreshments afterwards. Our theme for this week is 'Why is prayer so hard?' There will be a practical session looking at Celtic forms of prayer. And we'll be discussing our feedback on the Try Praying booklet.

Although we have started it's not too late to join in. Do come along and give it a try.

Labyrinth Wriggles into Life

Yesterday evening was also the launch of our Labyrinth project. Perhaps the tea, coffee, and scones, at the start pepped up our energy levels as we dived into this new project.

It was great to see people's enthusiasm as they took on ownership of the various scenes that they will create for the Labyrinth. Each scene will have a group of people developing the concept and design, and then going on to create the scene.

At least one scene will have a floral centre, another will have a photographic theme, another will have a sewing focus, and so on. There will be a range of crafts and art associated with each scene, and there is still plenty of room for more people to join in and either lead a scene team, or help with one of the scenes.

The next Labyrinth meeting will be on Tuesday 3rd March at 2pm in Winchburgh Church session room. New helpers will be very welcome, and we appreciate that not everyone will be able to come to each meeting. Many people will prepare their contribution in their own home, or with others in their homes.

The layout is yet to be designed and we will need manual labour to collect and create some of the core scene items, and also to set up the Labyrinth. Volunteers will also be needed on Good Friday (April 10th) to host members of our church and community to visit the Labyrinth.

So if you would like to help, but aren't sure how, then please contact Marion, Jean, or Stewart. There's bound to be something you can help with!

Prayer Exploration begins

We had a fun evening yesterday as we began Exploring Prayer together. We had some talk, some creative activities, and even a free gift to take away. It was a good evening to Try Praying and we intend to continue doing that over the next six weeks leading up to Easter.

Try Praying is the name of one of the booklets that we will be using to help us. There is a web site that accompanies the booklet here.

If you would like to join in, then you are very welcome. We will meet for the next five Wednesdays at 7pm in Winchburgh Church. If you just want to come along for one of them to try it out then we will be happy to see you.

Below is a summary of our first talk on Prayer. It is based on the first chapter in Ian Coffey's book, "What you always wanted to know about Prayer", that is another resource which we will be using during the series.

Our question for this week is: Why is Prayer Important?

Prayer is not easy. It takes time and effort to become ‘good’ at prayer. Even Jesus found it difficult at times. Just think of Gethsemane.

However, it is easy is describe prayer. It is simply, ‘Conversation with God’.

Here’s a quote: ‘Prayer is the conversation of friends. It is not a mere convenience for letting God know what we are thinking or what we want. Prayer is that for which we were made. It is at the heart of God’s plan of salvation. To understand the tremendous privilege and import of prayer we need to see it in the context of God’s purpose to have a relationship with his people.’

Let’s go back to the beginning. Genesis to be precise. Not as far back as Adam and Eve - although they talked with God, we have no record of any significant prayer conversations. The first Big Prayer in the Bible was Abraham.

It’s worth a read when you get home. Abraham’s story begins at chapter 12, when God tells him to ‘Go’. There are many snippets of conversation as the journey progresses. At chapter 18, God appears to Abraham as a man, along with two angels.

This is a hard passage to understand. There are two big questions.

1. God seems so merciless. Does God really love people? If He wants to have a relationship with us then why does He destroy people?

2. And how can one person have a negotiation with God? Is God someone we can barter with? Is God’s judgement so easily turned away? Is He so easily persuaded?

In the old days, people thought that lightening, thunder, earthquake, and flood, were caused directly by God. Nowadays, we have written God out of our understanding so much that we call them Natural Disasters. But if God is all-knowing, and all-powerful, then could He not have prevented the disasters?

He did his bit. He went down to the city, spoke with Lot and his family, and they left. They all escaped, except for Lot’s wife, who hung back & didn’t get far enough away.

The people of the city didn’t listen to God. They tried to seduce Lot’s visitors. It was a lawless and godless place. Did they people deserve a chance? Of course they did. God gave them a chance. They declined to take it seriously.

And what about Abraham bartering with God?

Well that’s a joke!!! How can you barter with someone that knows everything?!!!

God already knew the Lot’s family were the only ones who deserved to escape. Why do we think Abraham changed God’s mind? God knew Abraham’s inner thoughts before Abraham even started the dialogue. The ignorant person in this interchange is Abraham - not God. Abraham didn’t know God very well at all.

God saved all the good people in the city. Probably all the decent people had long since left the place. They had gone somewhere safer. Only Lot and his family were left. And God went down to make sure they left in time - just in time.

God knew that the disaster was going to happen, and when it would happen. The people were going to pay the price of ignoring God - they died.

God didn’t kill them. They chose. Life with God - or life on their own. They lost.
They made the wrong choice. God invites us to know Him. God invites us to ask Him to respond.

Our God is not a remote, disinterested God. He offers us partnership. He offers us a role in the decision-making of the world. When we pray, God listens, and then He speaks. The NT writer James said, “You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2). There are several places in the Gospels where Jesus encouraged his disciples to ask God for what they needed. Jesus said that God would provide.

If the world is not the place that people want it to be then it’s all down to the people. It’s no use blaming God. It’s long past time that people started listening to God, and talking to God.

And those of us who have begun to get to know God, who have started to learn how to pray, there is so much more to know. God is beyond our knowing - and yet invites us to know Him.

Jesus’ disciples spent 3 years with Him. Afterwards, they preached in the city and 3000 joined them. They passed by the sick and even those in their shadows became well. They prayed for the dead and they received back their life. They journeyed throughout the world and people believed in Jesus, the Son of God, who was crucified, buried, and raised from the tomb.

Labyrinth and Prayer Launch Evening

The launch night of our two projects for Lent will take place at Winchburgh Church, this Wednesday evening, 25th February, at 7pm and 8pm.

Anyone interested in the Exploring Prayer group is welcome to come along at 7pm. This group will continue for the five following Wednesdays also at 7pm. People are welcome to come to all six evenings, or just to attend as few as one.

There will be refreshments at 8pm, and anyone who wants to stay on for the start of the Labyrinth project at that time will be very welcome. But so too are those who only want to come to the Labyrinth project - please just come along on Wednesday at 8pm.

The Labyrinth project will be to create craftwork and artwork to represent around 10 to 12 scenes from the last week of Jesus' life leading up to his glorious resurrection that first Easter. People can work together in groups or individually.

So far the twelve scenes listed below have been selected, but these have not been finalised yet. Come along and tell us what you think.

Palm Sunday, Cleansing the Temple, Withered Fig Tree, Last Supper, Washing of Feet, Garden of Gethsemane, Betrayal, Denial, Trial under Pilate, Road to Calvary, Crucifixion, Resurrection.

Dates, times, and venues, for future Labyrinth meetings have not yet been decided. Come along and tell us when you want them to be!

The Exploring Prayer group will meet on the following dates at 7pm to explore a range of topics and ideas to help develop our prayer experience. There will be practical portions, as well as presentation and discussion.

Week 1 - 25th February - Stepping out: try praying.
Week 2 - 4th March - Why is prayer so hard?
Week 3 - 11th March - Prayer is more than petition
Week 4 - 18th March - Does Prayer change things?
Week 5 - 25th March - Growing in Prayer
Week 6 - 1st April - Open Forum: Looking towards Easter

As the weeks go by this Blog page will be updated with summaries of the Prayer weeks, the work on the Labyrinth project, and other reflections on Lent.

Jean, Marion, and I, hope that you will be able to take part in some of these occasions. If you have any questions then please contact one of us, or leave a comment below.

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in either of these Lent projects then please make sure they know the appropriate information.

Labyrinth Shapes Up

The Easter Craft Project, to create a Labyrinth about the first Easter week, is beginning to take shape. A good-sized group of interested folk gathered this afternoon to discuss our thoughts and ideas. Some of it is too early to talk about yet, but we made a tentative selection of Twelve Scenes from the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion.

Palm Sunday, Cleansing the Temple, Withered Fig Tree, Last Supper, Washing of Feet, Garden of Gethsemane, Betrayal, Denial, Trial under Pilate, Road to Calvary, Crucifixion, Resurrection.

The next meeting, of both the Prayer and the Craft projects, will be the Inaugural Launch in Winchburgh Church, on Ash Wednesday, 25th February, at 7pm, for Exploring Prayer, and 8pm for the Easter Labyrinth, with refreshments at 8pm-ish.

Preparatory Meeting today 2pm

The Preparatory Meeting for the Easter Craft Project takes place today at 2pm at Winchburgh Church. Come along and share your ideas and enthusiasm - and get some too!

Exploring Prayer and Easter Craft Project

If you live near Abercorn, Newton, Pardovan, Philpstoun, Kingscavil, Bridgend, or Winchburgh, then we invite you to join our Easter Craft Project, or to come to our Exploring Prayer journey, or even to both.

The launch arrangements for the two projects are announced below.

Would you like to become involved in an Easter Craft Project?

This project will run in parallel with the Lenten Prayer Exploration. Our aim is to create and set up a labyrinth in Winchburgh Church for Good Friday. There will be a pathway which will meander through the church with “stopping places” where craft representations of some of the main features of Jesus’ last week, from his entry into Jerusalem until his Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection, will be displayed. People who visit the Labyrinth may follow in His footsteps and have an opportunity to meditate and experience a deeper awareness of these events. The displays will be created using a wide range of crafts e.g. sewing, paper crafts, flowers, poetry, artwork and any other art or craft medium suggested by those who wish to become involved.

It is your project, and your ideas and skills are important, so why not come along to a preparatory meeting on Tuesday, 17 February at 2.00 pm in the Session House at Winchburgh Church to find out more? We look forward to seeing you then.

The Easter Craft Project will begin on Ash Wednesday, 25th February, at 8pm following on from the launch of the Prayer Exploration at 7pm. Between the two meetings there will be refreshments, and you are welcome to come along to either or both meetings.

Subsequent craft work will take place at people’s homes, or at various times at church venues, to fit in with other activities. You are welcome to join in even if you cannot come along on the first night, or on other occasions. Dates and venues will be announced as they are decided.

Please contact Marion, Jean, or Stewart, for more information, or post your question as a Comment below.

Exploring Prayer

Six evenings exploring different aspects of prayer and ways of praying, led by Stewart and Jean. Time for discussion, for reflection and for getting closer to God.

We will meet in Winchburgh Church on Wednesdays from 7pm-8pm.

Week 1 - 25th February - Stepping out: try praying.
Week 2 - 4th March - Why is prayer so hard?
Week 3 - 11th March - Prayer is more than petition
Week 4 - 18th March - Does Prayer change things?
Week 5 - 25th March - Growing in Prayer
Week 6 - 1st April - Open Forum: Looking towards Easter

We aim to have something for all ages and stages from P7 upwards. Each workshop will be complete in itself, so please don’t worry if you’re not able to come every week, or even only for one week. However, each session leads to the next, so we hope you’ll want to follow on with us. Please speak to Stewart or Jean if there is anything else you’d like to know in advance.

At 8pm each evening we will enjoy some refreshments giving us an opportunity to chat even more informally.

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This blogsite will follow the progress of both projects, providing an opportunity to see the progress on the craft project, reflect on each of the prayer explorations, continue the discussion, and to catch up on what you may have missed.

Programme Announcement on Sunday

During the six weeks of Lent 2009, the West Lothian congregations of Abercorn, and of Pardovan, Kingscavil and Winchburgh, together will offer two parallel journeys. One journey will be called Exploring Prayer, and the other journey is yet to be entitled, but will have a creative artistic and craft theme exploring the journey of Jesus, especially in that final week leading up to the first Easter.

Further details will be announced on Sunday 15th February 2009.

Lent begins 25th February

This Blog provides a place where you can come and mull over the place that Easter has in your living. Although it is intended for the period of Lent, which this year begins on 25th February leading up to Easter on April 12th, there may be some preliminary material helping us to get ready for Lent itself! Your respectful comments will be welcomed, even if made anonymously.