Lenten Journey

For the period during lent this year we decided to follow an idea by David Campton. We used our chrismon tree and turned it into a Lenten Cross which was displayed at the front of the church. Each week a symbol was laid at the base of the cross to represent the Bible reading for that day.

Our minister Rev. Iain Goring worked his sermon around the set reading while members of the congregation led us in prayer.


LENT 1- PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP
The first reading was Luke 5, 1-11 and our symbol was a fishing boat and a net.

LENT 2 - HE ENTERED SIMON'S HOUSE
The following week the reading was Luke 4, 31-39.
The symbol used was a 'Welcome' door mat

LENT 3 - HE SAID 'COME'
On this occassion the reading was from Matthew 14, 22-33
The symbol used was a lifejacket

LENT 4 - FROM WHOM DO THE KINGS OF EARTH TAKE TOLL?
Our reading this week was from Matthew 17, 24-27
Our symbol this time was a pouch with coins.

LENT 5 - THE KEYS
This week the reading was Matthew 16, 13-20
The symbol used this week was a set of keys

PALM SUNDAY - IT IS WELL THAT WE ARE HERE
The reading came from Mark 9, 2-7
The symbol being the palm branches

MAUNDAY THURSDAY - LORD,DO YOU WASH MY FEET
As we were holding our Labyrinth this week, it was decided that an informal communion service would take place in the evening. We all gathered round the huge wooden cross used in the Labyrinth. Everyone who attended i'm sure would agree that this was a very meaningful service

The reading was taken from John 13, 3-15
The symbol was a basin & a towel

GOOD FRIDAY -
The lenten journey reading for Good Friday was John 18, 1-27 with the symbols of a sword and a cockerel's feather - reminding us of Peter 's response to the arrest of Jesus using his sword in anger, and then denying he even knew him. The service began with 7 smaller candles and one large candle all lit at the front of the church. We read the story of Good Friday and each time we heard that Jesus was let down by someone, we extinguished a cande until all 8 were out. When we read of the centurion saying, "Truly, this was the Son of God", we lit the large candle again looking forward to Easter Day.

EASTER DAY
The reading was John 20, 1-8
Lengths of white cloth were used to represent grave clothes.