Holy Cross Anglican Church Hackett

Sharing God's love through Beauty, Truth and Goodness with the people of Canberra’s Inner North

Tag: Mindfulness

Contemplative Morning Prayer

By

On September 17, 2021

In Worship

(The psalm, reading, and collect for each day can be found on the free epray app downloadable here. The Holy Cross epray code is 6806. A print-friendly version of the liturgy can also be found at the foot of the page.)

Opening Responses

Lord open our lips
And our mouth shall declare your praise.

Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

A Time of Open Praise

Opening Prayer

The night has passed
and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm

Bible Reading

For the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.

A Time of Quiet Meditation

Benedictus

In the morning, Lord,
I come into your house, Alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:
who has come to God’s people and set them free.
The Lord has raised up for us a mighty Saviour:
born of the house of God’s servant David.

Through the holy prophets, God promised of old:
to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us,
To show mercy to our forebears:
and to remember God’s holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship God without fear:
holy and righteous before God, all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High:
for you will go before the Lord to prepare God’s way,
To give God’s people knowledge of salvation:
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God:
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death:
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.

In the morning, Lord,
I come into your house, Alleluia.

A Time of Open Intercession

Lord in your love,
hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

Collect

Closing Responses

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia.

Walk through our Trinity Labyrinth

By

On August 22, 2021

In Mindfulness, Worship

At this time many members of our community are self-isolating, in quarantine, or having to stay within their local community. Whether you are unable to visit our site in person, or you are choosing to stay at home for the safety of yourself and our community, the peace of God can offer solace for all pilgrims. We invite you to find rest and renewal in meeting the Creator, the Redeemer and the Spirit as you take a prayerful virtual walk through our Trinity Labyrinth with us.

Sponsor a paver to build our labyrinth

By

On March 31, 2021

In Environment, Mindfulness, Worship

Our Trinity labyrinth at Holy Cross and St Margaret’s is taking shape. You can be a part of it by sponsoring some of the thousand pavers that make it up. At $3 per paver, your contribution can help this beautiful place of prayerfulness grow. Leave a lasting footprint on our sacred land, and help bring the love of God to fellow pilgrims in the Inner North.

Contact treasurer@holycrosshackett.org.au to make a donation.

Contemplative worship at Holy Cross

By

On January 28, 2021

In Mindfulness, Notices, Worship

Following a challenging year and as the holidays come to a close, our meditative prayer services are returning from 1 Feb, offering a chance to pause amidst busy lives and return our minds to God.

4.15pm Mondays — Meditation Group

5.30pm Tuesdays — Contemplative Evening Prayer and Meditation

Contemplative Evening Prayer and Meditation

By

On September 5, 2020

In Mindfulness, Worship

An invitation to take a pause mid-week and invite the Spirit in.

Prayer, “the intentional lifting of the heart and mind to God Father Son and Holy Spirit”, is the most basic Christian activity – and it’s also the key spiritual practice that forms our character as people of faith. At 5.30pm Tuesdays for three weeks from Tuesday 8 September, we will be holding a contemplative evening prayer service as part of our regular worship life. The service will include an invitation to pause in silence for 10 minutes of silent meditation.

All are welcome.

The meaning of our Trinity Labyrinth

By

On September 26, 2019

In Mindfulness, Worship

Congregations from St Margaret's and Holy Cross gather for the blessing of the Trinity Labyrinth

Labyrinths are an ancient spiritual practice: for many thousands of years, people of all faiths and none have used them for prayer and meditation. In the Middle Ages Christians embraced them as a form of pilgrimage: the most famous one is in Chartres Cathedral, France. A labyrinth is not a maze: you can’t get lost! There’s just one route to follow which always leads to the centre.

Diagram showing the Holy Cross Trinity Labyrinth

The Trinity Labyrinth is unusual in having three centres: the heart, representing the Father; the cross, representing the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ; and the dove, representing the life-giving Holy Spirit. The path that links the centres represents the “divine dance” of love between Father, Son and Spirit, in which we are invited to join. The theological word for this is perichoresis, from the Greek peri-khorein (which also gives us “chorus” & “choreography”).

Unlike some labyrinths which take you on a long journey before reaching the centre, when you enter the Trinity Labyrinth you are welcomed at once to the Father’s heart, and then invited on a pilgrimage into the heart of the love of God.

  • Before you enter the labyrinth, you might want to reflect on a line of Scripture, hold a memory of a loved on you wish to pray for, or consider an experience from your life where you are seeking healing or forgiveness.
  • As you walk the path, moving slowly at your own pace and pausing at the centres, you are invited to experience the love of God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who creates, redeems and sustains you at every moment.
  • When you return to the heart, you can either leave the labyrinth, or – if you have time – choose to continue on your pilgrimage (you might like to walk it three times). There is no right or wrong way to walk a labyrinth.
  • When you leave, take a moment to thank God for what you have received.

Download the labyrinth card with this information here (pdf – 295kb).

Celebrations in Spring

By

On August 28, 2019

In Events and activities, Notices

Join us as we enter spring:

15 Sept Holy Cross Day with Bishop Mark;

22 Sept Creation Service & Trinity Labyrinth Blessing with St Margaret’s;

19 Oct Tuckerbox building opening & BBQ

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