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scraping off the shit - a maundy thursday liturgy

safe space maundy thursday liturgy
jesus washes the feet of the disciples

reading - john 13v3-17

scraping off the shit
where we walk, we walk in the crap left by others, by ourselves, the mess of human lives, the comings and goings of a wasteful, corrupt and selfish world, we wallow in the dirt and the hurt, oblivious to the stink and the stains that we carry with us.  God stripped off all finery, stepped in our shit, knelt in it, touched it, held our ugliest bits in the very hands that made us and washed them clean.

hands which formed matter, pulse which set the rhythm of the planets, breath which stirred life into being, mind which dreamt the diversity of the species, eyes which bore deep into the heart of humanity, heart which yearns for us to choose peace, feet that walk each step with us, mouth which chides and comforts, arms which embrace the hurting, strength which sustains the weak, life which was given up for love, creator who scrapes the shit off my feet, God who serves.
wash me clean

...for the whole liturgy click here

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A re-setting of St Patricks Breastplate for Saturday

I bind to myself today
There really is nothing like being free to call on the complete God, for God is both the nature and bringer of community and harmony… the creator of everything.

The whole story of a God who became one of us and one with us… who was born and named, who died a criminals death and was buried in a rich mans tomb… who was restored to life and left earth still alive and kicking… and who promises to hold me to my words and actions, to forgive me, to value me and to restore me to who I was made to be… to the community of God.

I bind to myself today
Surrounded by the support of God and all who serve God… the Angels and the loyal servants, the faithful and the humble, the teachers and guides, the pure and the good… they continually light the way for me… show me how to try to live and to love… God and humanity.

I bind to myself today
The power of the whole community of God,
The awesome nature of all laid out before me,

The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The density of rocks.

The whole of the wonder of creation… the chaos and the calm.

I bind to myself today
God's authority to keep me on track me when I am confused and lost,
God's strength to hold my arm when I stumble and fall,
God's deep wisdom to bring me a glimpse of understanding and fascinate me,
God's eye to watch over me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's words in my mouth,
God's hand to hold mine,
God's path open before me,
God's shelter to protect me,
God's love to secure me,

Against all those who seek to control, dominate and distract me,
Against everyone who plans and seeks to hurt me,
Whether they are far or near to me,
Whether they are known or unknown to me,
Whether they are strong or weak,
Whether they are human or otherwise,
Whether there are many who hate me or just a few.

I bind to myself today
I call on the whole of God and all that is good,
Against the worst of the world… the terrorists and the imperialists, the criminals and the con-men, the haters and the envious, those who seek to confuse me and lead me from the community of God, my own greed and insecurities.

Christ, protect me today
Protect me from all dangers on my journey and draw me to your heart

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in my home, Christ on my journey,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
To the promise and gift that I am free to call on the complete God, for God is both the nature and bringer of community and harmony… the creator of everything.

From Safe Space

Liturgy for St Chad

St Chad (March 2nd)

St Chad was born in cAD635, his calling was first as a student of St Aidan on Holy Island, before succeeding his brother as Abbot of Lastingham.  After the Council of Whitby Wilfrid was selected as Bishop of York, he travelled to France to be consecrated by Roman Bishops, this took so long that Chad was named Bishop of York in his absence.  Wilfrid eventually returned and Chad stepped down saying “I willingly resign the office, for I never thought myself worthy of it; but, though unworthy, in obedience submitted to undertake it.”  Later Chad became Bishop of Mercia at Lichfield… Bede described his ministry as following in the pattern of Aidan, travelling from town to town, preaching and praying zealously among the people he served.  He died in cAD672.  This Friday is St Chads Day.

We take a moment to embrace the lives of men and women who lived their lives as an act of worship and mission, who lived for God, who lived with God, who gave their lives for God and for Gods world. 

“Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering.” From Romans 12 – The Message

Walking, Running, Eating, Drinking, Sharing, Giving, Listening, Talking, Learning, Teaching, Encouraging, Challenging, Shouting, Crying, Holding on, Letting go, Fighting, Healing, Laughing, Grieving, Waiting, Acting, Being, Doing, Breaking, Mending, Living, Dying…
All of Me.

Walking, Running, Eating, Drinking, Sharing, Giving, Listening, Talking, Learning, Teaching, Encouraging, Challenging, Shouting, Crying, Holding on, Letting go, Fighting, Healing, Laughing, Grieving, Waiting, Acting, Being, Doing, Breaking, Mending, Living, Dying…
All for God.

Walking, Running, Eating, Drinking, Sharing, Giving, Listening, Talking, Learning, Teaching, Encouraging, Challenging, Shouting, Crying, Holding on, Letting go, Fighting, Healing, Laughing, Grieving, Waiting, Acting, Being, Doing, Breaking, Mending, Living, Dying…
All is Gods.

Walking, Running, Eating, Drinking, Sharing, Giving, Listening, Talking, Learning, Teaching, Encouraging, Challenging, Shouting, Crying, Holding on, Letting go, Fighting, Healing, Laughing, Grieving, Waiting, Acting, Being, Doing, Breaking, Mending, Living, Dying…
All is God.

“Offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to God, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.” From Romans 12 – New Century

Reflection
Chad spent time in learning,

What have you learned in the last year that has surprised you?

Chad was willing to take up the challenge.

What challenges have you had to grasp, though you did not feel ready?

Chad was willing to step down and allow another to lead.

What have you had to let go of which hurt but which has led you on to new ground?

May St Chad be an inspiratin, a role model and a guide for us… in the way we learn, on our willingness to go beyond our expectations and in having the humility to let go of our own pride for your sake.   May we be ready for the challenges set before us, knowing that it is you at work and we serve your purpose.

When you call
I am willing
When you push the boundaries
I am willing
When you set the pace
I am willing
When you encourage
I am willing
When you set the challenge
I am willing
When you blow my mind
I am willing
When you reach out your hand
I am willing
When you apply the brakes
I am willing
When you change the course
I am willing
When you turn the tide
I am willing
When you pull the plug
I am willing
When you call another
I am willing
When you call
I am willing

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13

Great God,
from the very first fruits of the English nation
who turned to follow Christ, you called Chad
to mission amongst and the nurture of his own people:
give us grace to mirror his peaceful nature,
his humble spirit and prayerful life,
that our lives may sing songs of your love,
that our words and deeds might truly reflect your passion and compassion;
In the name of Jesus, the God-Man who died, rose and lives on for us,
the Spirit who moves across the surface the waters and in the beating of the human heart,
and of the Creator and re-Creator, God of grace.

From Telford Missional Community

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