For the observance of a holy Lent (Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, p. 264)

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

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 God’s holy Word……

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Week 6: April 1, 2009

New Zealand Book of Common Prayer (Morning and Evening Worship Confession, p. 37) God of mercy, we have sinned against you and against others. we have sinned in what we have done, and in what we have failed to do. We are truly sorry. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, forgive us all that is past and raise us to newness of life. Amen.
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John 20:19-23 (New Revised Standard Version) When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
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After reading, write a synopsis of the text in your own words. Post this synopsis in the "comments" section. Read and discuss other posted synopses.
  • What is the major theme of the passage that is expressed in each synopsis? What are the individual concerns that are expressed in each synopsis?
  • What new possibilities does the passage open for me? For us?
  • If I were to take seriously the words of my own synopsis, what would that mean for me? For us?
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Prayers of the People Form V (Book of Common Prayer p. 391) For ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord.
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