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Lent Sermon Series 2011Lent Sermon Series 2011Lent Sermon Series 2011Lent Sermon Series 2011Lent Sermon Series 2011

“Blessed are the Peacemakers?”

In the lands where Jesus walked there is conflict, hatred and suspicion. The origin of thisstate of affairs goes back to the founding of the state of Israel in 1948, and the Britishbear considerable responsibility for the terrible plight of the region and the deepdivisions there today. Uncritical American support for Israel since the 1960s has nothelped the situation and has stoked Arab and Muslim fury and frustration with theWest.

American foreign policy has for decades been based on barely questioning support forthe State of Israel, even though the consequences for relations with the Arab andMuslim World are almost entirely negative. This has had a particularly severe effect onthe ancient Christian communities of the Middle East, which have seen steep numericaldecline as Christians leave for exile in less dangerous lands. The sacred sites of the HolyLand are often places of conflict not just between Christians, Jews and Arabs, butbetween different Christian groups.

And yet Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, (Matthew 5:9). Peacemakers note, notpeacekeepers. Peacekeeping may well involve military force and the use of armedintervention; peacemaking involves patient negotiation, perseverance when the goinggets tough, and the practice of forgiveness. It also involves the introduction of goodgovernance and the provision of a sound infrastructure so that ordinary people can livedecent and stable lives.

The teaching and example of Jesus point to a distinctive way of responding to injusticeand overcoming evil with good. As people of faith we should be praying, “Lord, make usinstruments of your peace”.

This Sermon Series looks at various aspects of the situation in the Middle East withthat prayer in mind.

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Simon KeyesDirector, St. Ethelburga’s, Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London

Lent I Sunday 13th March 11am

Richard Fyjis-WalkerBritish Ambassador to Pakistan 1984-87

Lent Sermon Series Line-UpLent Sermon Series Line-UpLent Sermon Series Line-UpLent Sermon Series Line-UpLent Sermon Series Line-Up

Lent II Sunday 20th March 11am

Lent III Sunday 27th March 11am

Mrs Janet KitchenGuildsman of St Bride and Organiser of the 2011 Parish Pilgrimage tothe Holy Land

Lent V Sunday 10th April 11am

Richard BeestonForeign Editor at the Times

Clare AmosDirector of Theological Studies, Anglican Communion Office

Lent VI Palm Sunday 17th April 11am

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The Cross:The Cross:The Cross:The Cross:The Cross:A symbol of pain orA symbol of pain orA symbol of pain orA symbol of pain orA symbol of pain ora thing of beauty?a thing of beauty?a thing of beauty?a thing of beauty?a thing of beauty?

“The Cross he bore is life and healthThrough shame and death to him:

His people’s hope, his people’s wealthTheir everlasting theme.”

Recently a church hit the headlines when the church council decided toremove a large crucifix from the outside wall, on the grounds that it frightenedthe local children and put people off coming to that church. They wanted toreplace it with an empty cross, a sign of resurrection.

The Cross in Roman Times was an instrument of torture and execution, butthrough the death of Christ it has become a symbol of life and love.

Today many people use the cross as a piece of jewellery, and even pop-starsand celebrities are seen wearing one, but Paul called it a stumbling block andfolly, something the religious and the cultured people of his own day wouldfind offensive. However, for the Christian believer it is the mark of discipleship,a sign that we are committed to the self giving way of love which Jesuspreached and lived out in his life and death.

It is both a symbol of pain and suffering and a thing of beauty. This Lent you areinvited to think about the importance of the Cross in your life, and to meditateon the cost and the joy of a love we would make our own.

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Blessed Saviour, who in your hours of desolation hung upon the cross,stretching forth your loving arms: embrace us in those arms, that your

cross may be our cross; so that we may embrace all who are desolate andfor whom you died and rose again, that all people may live like you in theimage and likeness of your Father, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be glory for ever more. Amen.

A Prayer to use in LentA Prayer to use in LentA Prayer to use in LentA Prayer to use in LentA Prayer to use in Lent

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Lent is the period of seven weeks before Easter when Christians prepare to rememberthe death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Lent can be tracedback to as early as the 3rd Century and takes its duration from the time that Jesusspent in the wilderness after His baptism. For Christians today it's a time to rememberour faults, a time of penitence and reconciliation, and for some it is also a time to getready to affirm their individual faith through baptism or confirmation.

What is Lent?What is Lent?What is Lent?What is Lent?What is Lent?

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Seeking Silence in LentSeeking Silence in LentSeeking Silence in LentSeeking Silence in LentSeeking Silence in LentHere are a few suggestions to help you to be still and find God during these weeksof Lent. You might like to try one exercise or practical suggestion each weekbetween Ash Wednesday and Easter Day.

Ways into stillness

• Relax: Tense your muscles and then relax them. Do this with all thedifferent parts of your body in turn.

• A word or phrase, steadily repeated e.g. “Lord, have mercy on me”;“Jesus”; “I love you, Lord”; “Peace”; “Come Holy Spirit”.

• An object to look at e.g. a flower, cross, picture, stone or candle.

• A mental picture: e.g. Jesus, the Father, the cross, a peaceful scene ofland, sea or sky, a favourite place.

• Music: a tape (song or instrumental); sing a verse of a hymn or song(Taizé chants can be helpful).

• A verse of scripture, repeated or written out to look at.e.g.

• Psalm 46:10• Matthew 11:28• John 14:27

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Taking a Prayer WalkWalking helps us to focus and centre-down and is an ideal way to begin to pray.You can walk around St Bride’s using the special Prayer Trail leaflet provided(copies are to be found by the Journalists’ Altar) or you can go on your favouritewalk in the countryside, or around the streets where you live, or even betweenthe office desk and your nearest coffee shop. Here are some thoughts to helpyou on your walk:

· Your real journey is an interior one· Walk at your own pace and look at the buildings and people

around you· Take with you the cry, or the song, in your heart, the people you

love, and your own dreams· At each turning consciously ‘drop off’ a worry, or a hurt, or a

mask you wear· Listen to the sounds around you, and think what they remind you

of· Think of a picture from your walk to hold in your memory to

write about or draw· End with a prayer offering the walk to God

The Last Twenty Four HoursSpend some time slowly going back over the events of the past twenty- fourhours. Recall as much detail as you can: where you were; what you did; what yousaid; what was said to you; how you felt, etc.

· Call to mind two or three things from the day for which you would liketo thank God

· Call to mind two or three things from the day which caused youconcern, anxiety or worry, and offer them to God

· See if you can identify one point during the day where God touchedyour life: where God was revealed to you; where God spoke to you.

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Image & IconChose a favourite painting, icon or piece of sculpture (You can buy lovely postcardsat places like The National Gallery, our Bookshop and small icons can be broughtat St Paul’s Cathedral Bookshop too). Look carefully at the image and go throughthese three phases:

· Look steadily and with concentration at the image. You may offer aprayer, silently or aloud

· Close your eyes and take the image to your mind. Think about it. Theprayer now will be silent, with any words spoken inwardly

· Let the image sink down and be lost in your heart, the centre of yourbeing. The prayer may now be wordless and image-less

Prayer through musicChose a piece of music that will help you become still (the St Bride’s bookstallhas a number of our own recordings). Play it.

· Silence 2 minutes· Then play a piece of music that expresses the glory and wonder of creation or

of God· Silence 2 minutes· Play a piece of music that expresses joy, adoration or thanksgiving· Silence 2 minutes· End by saying a short prayer and/or by saying the Grace: The grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be withus all now and for ever.

Amen.

You can join us for the Sermons in Music on Sunday evenings in Lent (seeServices for Lent pg 10).

Taizé services at St Bride’s Church in LentJoin us for Taizé, a Meditative form of worship, every Wednesday at6pm during Lent.

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If you would like something to study during Lent, the following two books arerecommended and will be available from the bookstall:

Lent for Everyone:Matthew (Year 1): Tom WrightSPCK £ 6.99The renowned New Testament scholar andformer Bishop of Durham has dividedMatthew’s Gospel into 47 days, interspersedon Sundays with reflections on the Psalms.He providers his own, frequently stimulating,translation of Matthew’s Gospel, followed bycommentary and ending with a short prayer.

Feast and Fast:Food for Lent and Easter:Christina Rees: DLT £ 8.99Christina Rees focuses on five Lenten themes;preparing for Lent, entering into Lent’s spirit,fasting, Lenten recipes, and Holy Weekreflections. Drawing on autobiographicalmaterial Rees provides a Lenten miscellany toprovoke a reassessment of our spiritual andphysical lifestyle.

Two Books for LentTwo Books for LentTwo Books for LentTwo Books for LentTwo Books for Lent

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