16 The Anglican Diocese of Willochra RESOURCES FOR LENT 2018 Symbols Candle Lighting Offertory Reflections and Prayers
2 15 The Candle Lighting Liturgy was written by Rev d Mindi Wenton-Mitchell and downloaded at ManyVoices.org Ministry Development, Support and Formation Prepared at Gladstone January 2018 By Introduction to the Offertory and Offertory Prayers written by Carol Penner and downloaded at www.pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au Reflection on the symbols by The Venerable Gael Johannsen Approved by the Bishop of Willochra The Venerable Gael Johannsen ministry@diowillochra.org.au o499491859
14 3 now, The crowds offered you their coats to walk on, they waved palm branches, honouring your presence. Today we honour you, Lord, with our faithful tithes and offerings. We lay these gifts before you Lord Jesus, humble tokens of our love for you, our King. Amen. LENT 1 Symbol: A Stone Reader 1: This week, we read of Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness. Mark does not give us details of the temptations, but our symbol a stone -reminds that Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread, to satisfy his hunger. Reader 2: There are many temptations we face in our lives together. We face the temptation of putting our wants above another s needs. We face the temptation of ignoring problems such as hunger, poverty, war, and disease, with the false hope that they will go away without our intervention. We face the temptations of wealth and consumerism. We face many temptations to stray from the path of faith and trust. Jesus Christ to help us resist the temptations of the world. Lord, we trust in you to keep our feet moving, our hands outstretched, and our hearts open to you. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, keep us from temptation and help us to do Your work in our world. Amen
4 13 now, Today we will offer our gifts to you, Lord, with grateful, cheerful hearts. Thank you that you meet our needs on the journey, providing what we need when we need it. Trusting you, we can share what we have with others, and we do this joyfully, together, today, in Jesus`name, Amen. The Sixth Sunday of Lent Symbol: Palm Frond or Green Branch Reader 1: We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey, and as disciples of our Lord we remember the events of long ago, when the twelve disciples entered Jerusalem with Jesus, but then deserted him a few days later. Our symbol is a palm frond or green branch, waved in victory as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Reader 2: We remember that in our own lives, when things go well we often know God is with us, but when we are afraid, when we are at risk, we may abandon our faith in God. We forget that God s victory was not won on Palm Sunday, but on Good Friday, on the cross. Jesus Christ that God will always remain faithful, even when we lack faith. Holy One, you have journeyed with us through this Lenten season. Help us to remain faithful to you, to trust in your purpose, even in times of deepest doubt. Amen.
12 5 now, Giver of all good things, let your grace flow through us; a generous stream, unstoppable, refreshing, abundant. We release our gifts into your river of love, flowing out to all the world. Amen. The Second Sunday in Lent Symbol: Sandals Reader 1: Today we read of Peter s declaration at Caesarea Philippi, that Jesus was the Messiah. However, when Jesus told his disciples what being Messiah would mean that he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him. Peter and his friends were unable to trust in God s way. Our symbol today is a pair of sandals. In Jesus time, to be a person s disciple meant that you had to follow them so closely that the dust from their sandals would soil your clothes. We are reminded that as disciples of Jesus, we follow closely in his footsteps, trusting him to lead us. Reader 2: God has proven trustworthy throughout history, but at times we question and doubt, and even deny, God s presence in our lives. We forget the larger picture at times and focus only on that moment, that period of time, when we experience God s absence. We worry and fret about what is happening and what will happen next, rather than trusting in our Saviour. Reader 1: We light this candle as a symbol of our renewed trust in Jesus Christ - that his presence is with us, and that we are not alone. God of hope, help us to remember the promise that you will never leave us or forsake us. As we journey in the footsteps of Jesus this Lenten season, remind us of your presence, and help us to remember to trust in you. Amen.
6 11 now, Lord, the action of this offering is a public sign of our trust in you: we proclaim you Lord over our lives, Lord over our families, Lord over our finances. Lord over our future. We give you thanks for all you have given us, and all we have the privilege to give. Use these gifts for the work of your church, we pray in Jesus name, Amen. The Fifth Sunday in Lent Symbol: Water Reader 1: Today we read of God s promise to make a new covenant with his people. At a time when Judah had turned away from God and broken the first covenant, they are reassured that already God has forgiven them, planning a future in which God will again be their God, and they will be his people. Our symbol of water reminds us of that God cleanses us from sin in our baptism, and that, as his covenant people, we walk in newness of life. Reader 2: Jesus has taught us that we must forgive as God forgives, but at times we find this too hard to do. We have been hurt, and we have hurt others. At times we have become angered by the actions of another to the point that we carry a grudge, and sometimes, this grudge can define who we are. Jesus Christ to help us to forgive as we are forgiven, to help us to love as we are loved. Faithful God, forgive us for our shortcomings and help us to forgive others. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to let go of our grudges and to forgive, and to trust in your forgiveness when we know we have gone wrong. Amen.
10 7 now, God of grace, financially, we are sometimes in the dark. We don t always know how much money we have, or how secure our resources are, or even what expenses we will have in the future. We choose to give our money to you with light hearts, gifting boldly and cheerfully, knowing that our security lies in your grace, and not in our bank accounts. Accept these gifts from our hands, for the work of your church. Amen. The Third Sunday in Lent Symbol: A Hammer Reader 1: Today we read of Jesus cleansing the temple. Market stalls were set up in the area of the temple reserved for non-jews to worship. By allowing market trade, the temple authorities made it clear that there was no place for outsiders in God s house. God calls his people to be welcoming and accepting, thinking first of the needs of others. Our symbol today is a hammer, reminding us of the need to break down the walls that divide us from others, using the power of God s love. Reader 2: Jesus has called us to love our neighbours as ourselves, but all too often we let the social boundaries and borders of the world divide us. We build up walls rather than bridges; we keep people out who need to be invited in. We have a responsibility to care for one another as Christ cares for us, and yet we often fail to do it. Jesus Christ to teach us again how to love, how to break down walls and to build bridges. Creator God, remind us again of our responsibility to care for one another, and to watch out for each other. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, renew our trust in each other and in you. Help us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Amen.
8 9 now, We have the means to give, we have the reason to give, and there are many waiting for us to give. Yet often, our hands hold back, and we hoard what we have for ourselves. God of grace, help us live and give in your kingdom of love, where there are no enemies, only brothers and sisters, and kindness is the air we breathe. In Jesus s name we pray. Amen. The Fourth Sunday in Lent Symbol: A Lamp Reader 1: Today we read that Jesus is the light that came into a world of darkness. St Paul tells us that those who lived in this darkness were dead through trespass and sin. But God, in his great love, made us alive together with Christ. Our symbol today is a lamp, reminding us that now we live in his light and have eternal life. Reader 2: We have been born into a world of sin. We try to do the right thing, but at times we fail, and temptation seems to win. At other times, we seem to drown in our failures, believing nothing good can come from us. We forget that God has called us to repent, and that God remembers our sins no more. Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, when we repent and turn back to God. Loving God, help us to turn back to your light when we stray into the darkness. As we journey towards the cross this Lenten season, help us to repent from where we have gone wrong and trust in the path that you call us to walk. Amen.