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!
Thursday, 26 February 2009
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.
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.
Monday, 23 February 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
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.
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!
Sunday, 15 February 2009
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.
-------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
-------------------------------------------------
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.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
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.
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