The Ashes of Philippi

A Lenten act of worship based on the text of the Letter to the Philippians and the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.

St Ouens Church Kids: GRID

Sunday 24 February 2013 Second Sunday in Lent

Introduction Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lords passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting. By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on Gods holy word. (From the Ash Wednesday Liturgy) Welcome To all Gods holy people, saints here in Christ Jesus; Grace to you from God our Father And peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ Let us offer one another a sign of peace (From Philippians 1:1-2) Thanksgiving Thank you Lord for these your people Joyfully we give you thanks for our fellowship in the good news of Christ Jesus It is right for me to feel this way about all of you in Christ For we all share in Gods grace together in Christ Jesus The Spirit gives us all a heart of love for each other in Christ For we love one another with the affection of Christ Jesus. May your love abound more and more in the knowledge, depth, and insight of Christ So may we discern what is best in Christ Jesus You are blameless and pure for the sake of Christ May we be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Christ Jesus He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Thank you Lord, we are confident in this in Christ Jesus To the glory and praise of God Amen. (From Philippians 1:3-6) Meditation Relax deeply and receive the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Dust and Ashes
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Bible tells us to remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return (Genesis 3:19). the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the breath returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Who knows what is going to happen to us? I do not know whether I shall live a long life or die an early death. We do know that all of us shall die. We know that everyone we know shall also die. People are the only creatures on Earth who know this, throughout their lives, that there was a time before they were conscious of life and that there will be a time beyond their lives. In the sight of the fact that we shall die, some feel afraid, some worry or are anxious, some suppress the very thought of it in the busyness of study, work, family, sport. Yet others pour their time, life and energy into heroic projects that might hope to leave some lasting legacy of a short life lived. As if there were meaning to be found in the memories of others. The fear of death has a hold over

us leading to unkindness, withdrawal and all manner of sin. As slaves to deaths grip we act in small-minded ways, selfishly, greedily, ungenerously. Remember though that from ashes we were made and to ashes we shall return. This short span of years in between is a gift by the breath of God. Yet in all of this we see Jesus. Strangely we find ourselves rejoicing. It is not a false rejoicing in denial of the death that comes to all. It is a deep rejoicing, that what happens will turn out for our deliverance. We eagerly expect and hope that through our lives, now and always, Christ will be exalted. For to us, to live is Christ and to die is no loss. If we are to go on living this will mean fruitful work for us. If we are to die then there is still hope for the world. We choose to live for Christ, through Christ and in Christ, and through our lives bring his joy and his hope to the world.

(inspired by Philippians 1:21-26)

Music We listen to our first song. Scripture Readings The first reading is taken from Pauls letter to the Philippians (1:27 2:4)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will remain lost, but that you will be rescuedand that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The last reader may say This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The second reading is taken from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (58:3-12)
Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed? Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in 4uarrelling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing ones head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sunscorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

The last reader may say This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading When the Gospel is announced we stand and turn to the reader who says Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew (5:110) Glory to you, O Lord.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. Jesus said: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

At the end This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. We sit down again Music We listen to our second song. Dialogue Creed We stand and say: How will you live? We shall live in relationship with one another. What will that look like? In our relationships with one another, we shall have the same mind-set as Jesus, the Christ Who is this Jesus Christ? Jesus being in the very form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be gripped tightly; What did this Jesus do? He emptied himself, pouring himself into the very form of a servant, being made in human likeness. How did he live? Being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient even though it cost him his life by death on a cross! What does this mean? Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen (includes Philippians 2:5-11) Teaching We think, with question and discussion about the theme of repentance (metanoia) Some key scriptures:
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12b-13) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

And the Lords servant must [] be kind to everyone, able to teach, [] he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

What is meta. What is noia. Mind as more than just conscious thinking - mind as our consciousness of life and also our internalisation of "normal" common sense. Common sense as the way of the Powers. False idea of repentance as sorrow / contrition / guilt - late medieval. Metanoia as a gift. The joy of metanoia. Metanoia as a fresh perspective on the world. Metanoia as changed perceptual categories. Metanoia and the backwards Eucharist. The Litany of Penance Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, in word and indeed. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Lord, have mercy. We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Lord, have mercy. We confess to you, Lord all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy and impatience of our lives. Lord, have mercy. Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people. Lord, have mercy. Our anger at our own frustration and our envy of those whom the powers of this world have blessed. Lord, have mercy. Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts and our dishonesty in daily life and work. Lord, have mercy. Our negligence in prayer and worship and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. Lord, have mercy. Accept our repentance, Lord for the wrongs we have done, for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty. Accept our repentance, Lord. For all false judgements, for uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbours and for our prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from us. Accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of concern for those who come after us. Accept our repentance, Lord. Restore us, good Lord, and let anger depart from us. Favourably hear us, for your mercy is great. Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, that we may show your glory in the world. By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. Silence is kept. We say together We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen. Dear friends in Christ, I invite you to receive these ashes as a sign of the spirit of penitence with which we shall keep this season of Lent. God our Father, you create us from the dust of the earth: grant that these ashes may be for us a sign of our penitence and a symbol of our mortality; for it is by your grace alone that we receive eternal life in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen At the imposition say to one another Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. or the ashes may be imposed without the use of words. God our Father, the strength of all who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers; and because, in our weakness, we can do nothing good without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the Ash Wednesday Liturgy) The Pledge of Repentance Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! I rejoice in the Lord I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them skubala, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. For His sake I will lose all things and be found in Him. Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from The Law, but that which is through the faithfulness of Christthe righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. By His faithfulness I am made righteousness. I want to know Christyes, to know the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. I want to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to attain the prize for which God in heaven has called me in Christ Jesus. I press on towards the goal, who is Christ. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. May I live up to what I have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Eagerly I await the transformation which is from Christ. (From Philippians 2:17 -3:21) Music We listen to our third song. Ministry of the people We share stories, prayers, prophecies, food and questions, for as long as we have time. Closing Words We share these words together, any one of us choosing the next line, and enjoying the silence in between.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. And the God of peace will be with you. (From Philippians 4:4 - 4:13) Blessing And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (From Philippians 4:19 - 23)

The Archbishops Council of England and Wales, and Simon Nash and Paul of Tarsus. All rights reserved.

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