Our parish group from the East side of Cambridge starts a parish retreat to Lindisfarne tomorrow. We (my ordained wife, Pam and I) were asked by our Team Rector to produce a worship and liturgy b booklet for the four day weekend.
I looked extensively around the internet for a framework but although there were several sites offering ‘Bible passages for a pilgrimage’ (or similar), I couldn’t find anything helpful to build on, so we set out to produce something that might be helpful to others too.
Bible Readings reflecting the pattern of our Pilgrimage
· We Leave Home not quite knowing what to expect as did Abraham Hebrews 11. 8 – 10 (Friday Morning Prayer)
· We will travel Together as the Israelites did through the wilderness: we know little bits about each other and will learn more as we journey – Exodus 18. 7 – 11 (Friday Evening Prayer)
· We are travelling to a Holy Place -Lindisfarne is among many Holy places known as ‘Thin places’ and remind our selves of this through the story of the Transfiguration Matthew 17. 1-8 (Saturday Morning prayer)
· We will be celebrating The saints of Lindisfarne and in that celebration we join with Christians across time and space with the help of Revelation 4. 9 – 11 (Saturday Evening Prayer)
· Returning home our journey towards our day-to-day experiences/ normal life Psalm 23 (Monday Morning Prayer)
For Personal Prayer:
· Throughout we will have a Common experience of worshiping together – as the Jews did and especially as they travelled to Jerusalem with a Psalm of ascent Psalm 121
· There will be a Personal impact – hopefully opening us to unexpected encounters with God: The calling of Matthew Matthew 9. 9 -13
How will it change us what will we want to talk about ? - Mary :Luke 1 46 -55
* * * * *
We Leave Home: Hebrews 11. 8 - 10
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
We travel together: Exodus 18. 7 - 11
Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and then kissed him. Having greeted each other, they went into the tent. 8 Moses then told his father-in-law of all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the sake of Israel, and of all the hardships that had beset them on their journey, and how the Lord had rescued them. 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness that the Lord had shown Israel in rescuing them from the power of the Egyptians. 10 “Blessed be the Lord,” he said, “who has rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for he rescued the people from the power of the Egyptians when they treated them arrogantly.”
We are travelling to a Holy Place: Matthew 17. 1-8
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
We will be celebrating with the Saints: Revelation 4. 9 - 11
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
We will have the experience of Worshipping together: Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
There will be a personal impact Matthew 9. 9 -13
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
We Return Home: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
How Will It have changed us? Luke 1 46 -55
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
You may also like to look at an earlier post on this blog entitled ‘Embracing Silence: Prayer for contemplating or starting a retreat'
