Lenten Reflections 2022: A Journey of Faith and Prayer
Engage in the Lenten season with reflections on baptism, prayers for the church and the sick, and a call to live as one family in God's kingdom. Explore the significance of welcoming the newly baptized and sharing in the work of Christ as part of a nine-session Lenten study on Holy Baptism. Let us unite in prayer for protection during challenging times and embody the peace and greetings emphasized in the New Testament.
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LET US PRAY: Almighty and eternal Father, we thank you for the daily life you have given us. We thank you for the world you have created so uniquely, the creatures you provide and for all of us present here today.
Father, we pray for all the churches, in the province and worldwide, that they will receive the newly baptized with your dear son and the Holy Spirit. Bless us and keep our minds on your will that we all will live as one family in your kingdom.
Finally, during this pandemic and times of trouble, we humbly pray for your protection and guidance. We pray for the sick, especially persons suffering from COVID-19. We ask all these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.Amen.
THIS IS THE FIFTH OF FIVE SESSIONS ON HOLY BAPTISM IN A NINE - SESSION LENTEN STUDY .
THE SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM INCLUDES AN ACT OF WELCOMING (BCP, P. 280). THE CELEBRANT SAYS, "LET US WELCOME THE NEWLY BAPTIZED BACKGROUND THE CONGREGATION RESPONDS, "WE WELCOME YOU INTO THE LORD'S FAMILY."
THA BAPTIZED ARE URGED TO CONFESS THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST, PROCLAIM THE NEWS OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND SHARE WITH ALL CHRISTIANS IN THE WORK OF CHRIST. THE WELCOME IS FOLLOWED THE PASSING OF THE PEACE. BACKGROUND
THE NEW TESTAMENT CONTAINS HINTS THAT THE FIRST CHRISTIANS EXCHANGED GREETINGS OF PEACE. SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, ALL THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS SEND GREETINGS. GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS. (I CORINTHIANS 16:20) BACKGROUND GREET EVERY SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS. THE FRIENDS WHO ARE WITH ME GREET YOU. (PHILIPPIANS 4:21) AND GREET ALL THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH A HOLY KISS. (I THESSALONIANS 5:26)
BUT THE FIRST SOLID EVIDENCE OF THE PASSING OF THE PEACE APPEARS IN THE TEXTS OF ANCIENT CHURCH LITURGIES. PERSONS WHO HAD NOT YET BEEN BAPTIZED AND WERE RECEIVING INSTRUCTION, CALLED CATECHUMENS CATECHUMENS, WERE DISMISSED FROM SERVICES JUST BEFORE THE PEACE. BACKGROUND
WHEN THEY WERE BAPTIZED, THESE PERSONS WERE WELCOMED BY THE EXCHANGE OF THE PEACE. THAT TRADITION IS PART OF OUR BAPTISMAL AND EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CHURCH'S PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO REFLECT ON THE CONCRETE WAYS IN WHICH NEWLY RECEIVED MEMBERS CAN BE WELCOMED AND FULLY INCORPORATED INTO THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH. BACKGROUND
FOR DISCUSSION: 1. What three (3) things do you like most about your parish e.g. the singing, the preaching, the welcome, the fellowship, the teaching etc? 2. Compare and contrast the welcome of: - Visitors - Newly baptized (especially infants/babies) - Members
ROMANS 15:1-7 NRSV We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, himself; but, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. fallen on me. For whatever was written in former days was written for For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. the scriptures we might have hope.
ACTS 2:38-41 CONTD NRSV May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. welcomed you, for the glory of God.
WHAT WORD(S) AND/OR PHRASES SPOKE TO YOU / DO YOU REMEMBER FROM THE READING?
FROM ALL THAT HAS BEEN SHARED IN THIS SESSION WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY WELCOME
For Discussion: How do we welcome infants? Do we ask parents to take them outside when they cry? Do we always feel like we belong when we come to church? Are some persons deliberately or accidentally excluded from the core activities ? What barriers do we place in the way of those who want to participate more? How do economic and social standing impact our choice of persons to actively participate in church activities (both in the liturgy and mission)? 1. 2. 3. 4.
For Discussion: How do we affirm the sense of belonging of each baptized member regardless of age? If the baptized are members together of the family of God, does that make them equals? Many congregations identify and applaud visitors is this the only way to affirm the welcome extended to those visiting congregations? How can we be more intentional in our welcome to the newly baptized, the visitors and our members? 4. 5. 6. 7.
CLOSING PRAYER Dear God, we thank you for the words delivered to us. We thank you for receiving us and for bringing us closer together through prayer and worship. As we wrap up this session and this time shared, help us to accept one another as Christ accepted us to bring praise to God.
As we go out into the world, may we do the work which you have given us to help, love and serve others as God's faithful disciples. May your Holy Spirit strengthen us to overcome all the challenges we will be facing throughout our daily lives. May we hold on to faith until you come again. We pray this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
MAUNDY THURSDAY: JESUS IS SERVANT
