David Clark from Auckland says that they have retained the Christmas tree, stripped it and turned it into a cross set in the church during Lent. “We have done a variation of the Advent Candle Service by having six candles and the Christ Candle in front of it and extinguishing one each Sunday during Lent at the end of the service (after the blessing)”. The season culminates with the Christ Candle being extinguished on Good Friday and then re-lit on Easter Day. On Easter Day the tree/cross is decorated with flowers. A small liturgy for the candle extinguishing with the same prayers each time is very effective.
The late Gwenda Handyside of Lower Hutt suggested using the following prayer:
O God,
Like Judas, we accept positions of trust in our community
But sometimes we abuse that trust.
Betraying the visions and actions of others,
As we pretend to support them,
Even with a kiss.
We often choose to turn from the truth.
We often choose to blind ourselves to the light.
As with Judas. the choice is always before us,
Trust or to betray.
Forgive us Lord when we choose to betray.
In response to the human choices facing us Gwenda suggested the following Affirmation of the Way of Trust:
“We believe in a God who does not betray us, but who loves and trusts us as a parent.
We believe in Christ who did not deny the truth, but followed it even to the cross.
And stands as our truth today.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who does not avoid difficult choices,
But who blows like the wind to guide us.
We affirm our own humanity, we choose to follow in response to this great hope.
Amen”
For sending out:
In the face of all our decisions, all our denials and all our betrayals,
God chooses for us. God will never leave us nor forsake us.
God calls us forth to the light of Easter Day.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Alan Shaw of Wellington suggests using re-affirmation of baptismal vows during Lent. For adults the vows can be used but for children the questions should be different, such as : “are you a friend of Jesus Christ?” Four people are needed plus a ewer and large bowl plus bread and wine for communion.
As each person comes forward they are asked the baptismal questions and water is poured over their hands. The next person provides a towel to dry the hands, the next bread and the next wine.
Joyce Marcon of Auckland suggests having a planning gathering to choose how the 40 days of Lent are to be marked. Plan key themes, events, study themes, possible all-age workshops, social activities, social action or research.
Some suggestions:
Palm crosses
Joyce Marcon suggests that ashes are a powerful symbol of sorrow and humility. This is the ancient symbolism but in later times ashes were used to cleanse (an ingredient in soap) and used to fertilise the soil.
Joyce suggests that you produce ashes by burning old palm crosses or people’s lists of personal temptations or things they wish to see changed in the world (use tongs to hold the paper over hot charcoal).
Suggested ways to use this symbol:
Sprinkle over a container of bulbs or into the church garden.