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.