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Crucifixion Giotto (1304-1306)

8TH MARCH 2015

8 DAYS Vicar’s Blog

When the Holy Spirit fell upon the early church and St Peter stood up to speak at that first Pentecost, these were some of his first words; these were the words God wanted humanity to hear, to record and to pass down across the generations: ‘Jesus of Nazareth was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.’ (Acts 2:23,24) The Spirit placed the cross, the empty tomb and Christ conquering death at the heart of the early church, intentionally. Unsurprisingly each of the four gospel writers give acres of space to recording the events of Christ’s final week before

his death and resurrection—Palm Sunday to Easter Day. Pick up your Bible and have a look. Matthew gives the final week eight of his twenty eight chapters. Mark in his briefer, earlier gospel gives it six of his sixteen. Luke gives those 8 days a quarter of his gospel. And John?

John’s Passion Week begins in chapter 12 of his 21 chapters. It doesn’t matter who picks up a gospel, at any point in history, in any culture, what is inescapable is that the death and resurrection of Jesus are intended to be at the heart of the Christian faith. Our faith.

And in Lent, as we get closer to retelling the events of those 8 days, the teaching of the church gravitates to reminding ourselves not just the details of the story, which of course matter, but of the significance of the cross.

A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: March 8th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship, the Grid & Junior Church

Last week (from Mark 8:31-38) we were reminded of the inconvenient implication for disciples of Jesus that as He takes up his cross then we too take up our crosses and follow him. This week (in John 2:1322) Jesus uses the image of a destroyed and rebuilt temple to bring the resurrection and its power into view. Next week (in John 3:14-21) Jesus uses an obscure image of a snake to let us know that when we look at the cross we see death, but find life. And then on March 22nd (in John 12:20-33) Jesus is anointed in anticipation of his burial, and the Holy Week journey is nearly upon us.

THIS WEEK

‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.’ (Hebrews 12:2)

ADVANCE Mar 23rd Holy Week Festival begins Apr 24th Election Hustings Apr 26th Vision Sunday & AGM

EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer TUES 10th 9.30pm Women Alive!

WED 11th 10.30am Communion 7.30pm Malmesbury School Chamber Concert THUR 12th 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice FRI 6th 10.30am Creative Response SAT 28th 10am The Meeting Place

NEXT SUNDAY: March 15th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Informal Worship, the Grid & Junior Church

JOHN 2:13-22 13

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’

18

The Jews then responded to him, ‘What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’

19

Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’

20

They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Additional Reading: Exodus 20:1-17

DISCIPLESHIP 1.

2.

Read John 2:13-17 together.

How do you react to the Jesus described in these verses? Why was he so angry? Would Jesus angrily close down the Abbey CafĂŠ & Bookshop or is this passage about something else?

Read Deuteronomy 16:1-8.

What is the Passover and what event does it remember? (See Exodus 12) What do you think about the Jewish sacrificial system?

3.

Read Hebrews 9. Explain how Jesus was the final sacrifice.

4.

Read John 2:18-22. When was the first time you realised the power of the cross to reconcile you to God? Share your stories trying to explain what it was that helped you understand how Jesus' death makes atonement for our sins.

5.

How might you explain Christ’s atoning sacrifice to someone unfamiliar with the Christian faith? Pray for opportunities to share this Good News.

D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 98 Jeremiah 11:1-17 John 7:37-52 Tuesday Psalm 106 Jeremiah 11:1-17 John 7:53-8:11 Wednesday Psalm 111 Jeremiah 13:1-11 John 8:12-30 Thursday Psalm 115 Jeremiah 14 John 8:31-47 Friday Psalm 139 Jeremiah 15:10-end John 8:48-end

REGULAR GIVING If you would like to give regularly to the mission and ministry of the Abbey as part of your discipleship, please e-mail alan@malmesburyabbey.com.

A H E A R T F O R P R AY E R

BOOKSHOP VACANCY

Prayer is pivotal to our Christian life and it’s a joy to have the privilege to pray with others. Our Sunday 10.30am and 4pm prayer teams and the Meeting Place (Saturday 10 - 12 in Bird Cage Walk) are looking for people who would like to explore this ministry; training will be given this spring and summer. Please speak to Wiene Grant (10.30am), Marilyn Archer (4pm) or Sarah Doyley (Meeting Place) if you would like to know more.

After four wonderful years Pam Harrison is stepping down as Assistant Manager of Malmesbury Abbey Books—a role which relates particularly to stewards, tourism and stock. If you would be interested in finding out more about this 15-20 hour paid post please speak informally with Rob Hitchings (the Bookshop Manager) or Neill. We are looking for somebody to start after Easter.

ABBEY GUILD

EASTER BREAKFAST

On Tuesday 10th March at 2.30pm the Abbey Guild meets in the King’s Church for it’s Annual General Meeting followed by Lenten Meditation and refreshments. For more information please contact Helen Small.

At 6am on Easter Day there will be a dawn service. Normally about 30 of us renew our baptismal vows in darkness at the font at the West End before sharing communion at the East End as the sun rises. This year we will be going for breakfast together at Amanda’s afterwards. £10 gets you a full English and a coffee or tea. Please put your name down with Sandie in the office.

12th CENTURY BEAUT Y 21st CENTURY CHURCH

NOTICEBOARD CONSENT FORMS This Sunday we will be asking all parents whose children are involved in either our youth or children's groups to fill out a consent form for each of their children. We want to update our records to ensure that we have all the necessary information to best care for the young people God has given us. The forms will be available at the back of church this Sunday at our 4pm service.

Please complete and return the form this Sunday if possible.

THE KALEIDOSCOPE OF DEMENTIA On Monday 27th April 2015 Louise Morse (writer, speaker and acknowledged expert) will be coming to Malmesbury Abbey to give a talk on unpacking the various conditions that form the kaleidoscope of dementia; life before and after diagnosis and how to gain the best communication and support for all those involved. She will also cover the very latest research on dementia and faith perspectives. The two sessions, at 2.30pm and then repeated at 6.30pm, are open to anybody who feels they would like to learn more about a condition that may affect them or family and friends. Limited places are expected to fill quickly so please book a place via the office on 01666 82666 or office@malmesburyabbey.com or for more information please speak to Mandy Churcher.

Enquiries 01666 826666 // Box Office 01666 824339 office@malmesburyabbey.com www.malmesburyabbey.com issuu.com/malmesburyabbey

HOLY WEEK FESTIVAL 2015 MAR 23-28 THE GARDEN LABYRINTH MAR 25 & 27 LATE NIGHT LABYRINTH MAR 28 ART//STATIONS OF THE CROSS Meet the artists (10am) MAR 28 COMEDY & JAZZ //PAUL KERENSA with PETER JAMES & ROSIE ARCHER* MAR 29 THE KAIROS ENSEMBLE//REJOICING BLUES* MAR 30 PROFESSOR SIMON CONWAY MORRIS* ‘Does the Resurrection make scientific sense?’

MAR 31 THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1923)* with Anthony Hammond (organ) APR 1 GLORY! PRAYER APR 2 THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC* JS Bach & Messaien Quartet for the End of Time GOOD FRIDAY ALLEGRI, PURCELL & HANDEL (6.30pm) APR 4 BBC WILTSHIRE//EASTER FROM MALMESBURY ABBEY* (7pm) EASTER DAY SERVICES at 6am, 9am, 10.30am, 4pm & 6.30pm Events at 7.30p m unless otherwise stated Full brochure at issuu.com/malmesburyabbey *Tickets now available from the Abbey Bookshop or at www.ticketsource/malmesburyabbey