LENTEN RESOURCES:

LABYRINTH

A form of prayer that comes to popularity in many places, was part of the spirituality formation at

Chartres Cathedral in France.

For a photo essay from Washington’s Episcopal Cathedral click here.

The Middle Ages showed a renewed interest in labyrinths and a design more complex than the classical seven-circuit labyrinth became popular.

This was an eleven-circuit design divided into four quadrants. It was often found in Gothic Cathedrals but over time many of these eleven-circuit designs were destroyed or intentionally removed.

The most famous of these remaining labyrinths is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around 1200 and is laid into the floor in a style sometimes referred to as a pavement maze. The original center piece has been removed and other areas of the labyrinth have been restored.

This labyrinth was meant to be walked but is reported to be infrequently used today. In the past it could be walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage it was a questing, searching journey with the hope of becoming closer to God. When used for repentance the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem and as a result came to be called the "Chemin de Jerusalem" or Road of Jerusalem.

In walking the Chartres style labyrinth the walker meanders through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal. An expectancy is created as to when the center will be reached. At the center is a rosette design which has a rich symbolic value including that of enlightenment. The four arms of the cross are readily visible and provide significant Christian symbolism.

FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN TRADITION: A CELTIC LENT
Resources from an ancient prayer tradition CLICK HERE
 
ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL CHRISTIAN PRAYER BEADS
Based on the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Rosary and Prayer Ropes CLICK HERE 

The use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into contemplative of meditative prayer—really thinking about and being mindful of praying, of being in the presence of God—by use of mind, body, and spirit. The touching of the fingers on each successive bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads us more readily into stillness. CLICK HERE

HELPFUL WEBSITES:
Stations of the Cross from the BBC

The Way of the Cross from the BBC

MUSIC RESOURCES: 'Gold Dust' for Lent and Easter!
 
New from RSCM Education, the first issue of Voice for Life Gold Dust is available to all for free download. Gold Dust is an online newsletter and choir resource: twelve pages full of training material, inspiration and seasonal repertoire.

Download the Lent and Easter issue of Gold Dust free

Further seasonal resources

Updated materials for planning an Easter Vigil service from Sunday by Sunday
RSCM Press is issuing a new, modern language edition of the Passiontide devotion The Cross of Christ
View other RSCM publications for Passiontide

A setting of This joyful Eastertide by Graham Kendrick is available free on his website
New worship songs for Lent and Easter can also be found on this site.

A LUTHERAN LOOKS AT LENT
An explanation of Lent for Lutherans CLICK HERE

PRAYERS IN LENT 

Lent - a time to confess and be assured of pardon:

I CONFESS

Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:
We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen

Lent Collect from the New Zealand Prayer Book

Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts,
so that when we turn to you and confess our sins
we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.     

HOLY WEEK EXPLAINED BY A CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF LONDON

http://www.smaaa.org.uk/worship/index.html

Easter services for adults and children explained:  from St Michael and All Angels, Bedford Park:

Cathie James, Master of Ceremonies at St Michael’s, offers this brief liturgical guide that can be helpful to all who read it, whether these ceremonies are observed in their local church or not.

TRIDUUM

Following on from the forty days of Lent, we begin the Easter Triduum on the evening of Maundy (Holy) Thursday (April 1st in 2010). The word Triduum comes from the Latin meaning three days and during this time  we commemorate the events that lie at the heart of our faith; the institution of the Eucharist, the passion, the crucifixion and death of our Lord, his descent to the dead, and finally his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. It includes the Easter Vigil, the high point of the Triduum and it ends on the evening of Easter Day (April 4th in 2010).

THE EASTER SERMON OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM:

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaias foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!