STATIONS OF THE CROSS 2013 IV: Peter denies Christ
22ND MARCH 2015
GOD-CREATED Vicar’s Blog
There is an interesting detail in the book of Revelation, actually there are many interesting details in the book of Revelation, but the one I am referring to is found in Revelation 18:22. In imagery describing God’s eternal judgement of evil as the destruction of the city of Babylon, an angel says to the city: ‘and the sound of harpists and minstrels and of flautists and trumpeters will be heard in you no more; and an artisan of any trade will be found in you no more; and the sound of the millstone will be heard in you no more.’ Now there is tremendous scope for humour in this verse that St John didn’t really intend. As a viola player I am slightly worried that there is room for me (and drummers) in the other place, and that there the central heating won’t need fixing because it will be warm enough already. I am unbothered by the absence of chocolate for
eternity (read it again.) But what I think is being said in this verse is that the absence of musicians, singers, artists, actors, craftsmen and women, carpenters even, is a sign of the absence of God. Don’t expect creativity and procreation when there isn’t a Creator around. So, an apology, for in essence for the next two weeks I am planning to take over your life and offer it some creative beauty. No hiding behind the sofa or holidays on Greek islands allowed. I intend to fill your life with prayer and worship, with trees and scripture, with art and photography, coffee and wine, comedy and scientific debate, blues and jazz, quartets and heavenly choirs. And I want you there, not because we need a crowd, but because you need more of God in your life, and so do others living in your street or working at a desk
A B B E Y D I A RY THIS SUNDAY: March 22nd 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Morning Prayer & Healing Ministry 4pm All-age Communion
next to you. I once met a woman who became a Christian as she wept through the piano music of Chopin—I will never again limit the Spirit by the constraints of my dull imagination. Turn up at our Holy Week Festival and bring others. God is speaking through the art, the trees and our prayers together. Christ is being revealed in the punchlines and the palaeobiology. And the Spirit is ‘crying me a river’ (Good Friday) and ‘feeling good’ (Easter Day.)
THIS WEEK EACH DAY 9am Morning Prayer & Garden Labyrinth TUES 24th 9.30am Women Alive! WED 25th 10.30am Communion 5-9.30pm Labyrinth 9.30pm Glory! THUR 26th 10.30am Time for Chat 7pm Choir Practice FRI 27th 5-9.30pm Labyrinth 9.30pm Night Prayer See Holy Week Brochure for full diary PALM SUNDAY: March 29th 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Outdoor Holy Communion Preacher: Bishop Lee 4pm Café Service & Junior church
ADVANCE Apr 24th BBC Election Hustings Apr 26th Vision Sunday & AGM
JOHN 12:20-33 20
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’ 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
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Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.
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‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30
Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. Additional Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
DISCIPLESHIP 1.
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What does Jesus mean in verse 23? Discuss where else in the gospels Jesus talks about being 'glorified'? Could it mean more than one thing? In verses 24-26 Jesus seems to be talking both about his own death, but also of another death - who's other death is he referring to? How does that make you feel? Jesus uses hyperbole a lot in the gospels. Discuss what he means by 'love' and 'hate' in verse 25. (Where have we seen such hyperbole before from Jesus?) If Jesus were running for parliament this May, do you think many people would vote for him?! If you were on Jesus' PR campaign, can you think of some strategies you might use to encourage people to follow Jesus?! Pray about how you might 'lose your own life' in order to follow Jesus this week, and encourage your 'fellow voters' to do the same...!
D A I LY R E A D I N G S Monday Psalm 1 Jeremiah 21:1-10 John 11:28-44 Tuesday Psalm 5 Jeremiah 22:1-5, 13-19 John 11:45-end Wednesday Psalm 10 Jeremiah 23:1-8 John 12:1-11 Thursday Psalm 15 Jeremiah 23:9-32 John 12:12-19 Friday Psalm 19 Jeremiah 24 John 12:20-36a
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.
B B C W I LT S H I R E One great gift the Abbey gives to many who are unable to leave their homes this Easter, is our collaboration with BBC Radio Wiltshire to broadcast Easter from Malmesbury Abbey. Many thousands will sing Easter hymns and hear the gospel proclaimed who otherwise couldn’t. Can you bring your voice, and a willingness to belt out the hymns, to the Abbey on Saturday April 4th at 6.30pm. We need every chair full for this.
BOOKSHOP VACANCY 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.
CHRISTIAN AID
EASTER CELEBRATION
Join us for a Soup Lunch organised by Malmesbury Christian Aid on Friday 27th March from 12.30pm onwards, at the United Reformed Church (West Street entrance). Cost is £3 for Soup and Cake and proceeds will go towards supporting Christian Aid’s work in all parts of the world, supporting people in poverty and fighting against the causes of poverty.
There was very little take up for the 6.45am breakfast on Easter Day so this now won’t be happening. However a number of the Abbey staff will be ending Easter Day at 8pm in the Whole Hog and you would be very welcome to join the celebrations.
12th CENTURY BEAUT Y 21st CENTURY CHURCH
NOTICEBOARD C A F É H E L P E R S F O R H O LY W E E K Hospitality is a key part of the Abbey’s ministry and Clare Cork needs loads of help over Easter, in particular on the dates/times listed below. All or part of any shift would be a tremendous help. Please contact Clare directly (cafe@malmesburyabbey.com or 07920793594) with any offers: March 23rd & 24th 9am-4pm; March 25th 9am-4pm and 5pm-9.30pm; March 26th 9am-4pm; March 27th 9am-4pm & 5pm-9.30pm; March 28th 9am-4pm and 6.45pm til late; March 29th, 30th & 31st 6.45pm til late; Apr 1st 12noon-2pm.
P C C U P D AT E On the 14th March, after a time of prayer and worship together, the Abbey's Parochial Church Council (PCC) met. We had an update on Abbey Finance, on the renewal of our Safe Guarding Policy and were pleased to hear that Paul Heathcote has taken on the role of Property Oversight Committee chair. For the focus session we welcomed Oliver Home, Diocesan Secretary, who spoke about the emerging strategy of the Church of England, of Bristol Diocese and the possible implications for us as a church. Exciting times lay a head for the Abbey and for the church as a whole. The diocese is keen to implement a strategy that sees the Kingdom of God grow and is engaging with PCC's around the diocese to 'flesh out' the emerging strategy. It is well worth looking on the diocese website for more information and to watch +Mike's address on the subject. http://www.bristol.anglican.org/2015/bishop-mikehills-address-to-synod-feb-2015/ Minutes are available in the Parish Office.
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