The%Diocesan%Centenary% Our pilgrimage From Cloud to Fire, Ascension to Pentecost 2016, has launched the preparations for the Centenary of the Diocese of Coventry, which we will be celebrating in 2018. ! Our Centenary is a time for us to celebrate and to strengthen our shared identity, as Christians in many churches across Warwickshire and Coventry. As a diocese we have a common purpose: worshipping God, making new disciples, transforming communities. From Cloud To Fire Our shared identity helps us to unite to prayerfully work for this common purpose. Three characteristics make up our identity: Renewal, Generous Relationships and Reconciliation This year, 2016, is our year to pray for renewal – in our own faith and lives, in our worship together, and in mission to our communities. The pilgrimage of prayer we have begun together is something for each of us to take forward for ourselves and in our churches, to continue to seek God’s guidance and strength for our own journeys and for our witness to those around us. 2017 is our year to pray for generous relationships with one another, and across our churches. In 2018 we will be celebrating our centenary, focussing on reconciliation. Ascension to Pentecost dioceseofcoventry.org/pilgrimage Pilgrimage 2016 th th 5 – 15 May Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included in this booklet, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2005 Material from thykingdom.co.uk is free from copyright 28! ! This% booklet has been put together to help everyone, across the diocese, journey as one Intercessions% on a Pilgrimage of Prayer. Let us turn to the risen Lord, The daily reflections can be used, each day, just as they are – praying through the scripture verse who give us the Holy Spirit, making all things new, saying: and using the material for reflection and themes for prayer on your own, or with others (perhaps renew us in your love. this could be your usual small group, a family member or friend, or in Morning or Evening Prayer at your church). If you are leading prayer for a group during the week, you might like to use your O Word of Life, own ideas to help the group engage with the daily bible verse and pray for the giving of the one God with the Father and the Spirit: Holy Spirit in different ways. If you are leading services, prayer stations or keeping a church or renew us in your love. prayer room open, you will find resources to enable prayer in here and on thykingdom.co.uk O eternal Light, At the end of each day’s page you will find our Pilgrimage Prayer: we are using this prayer each who through the working of the Holy Spirit day to invite the Holy Spirit to work in us and among us among us – to refresh us, inspire us, and received from the Virgin our human nature: equip us to work for the kingdom of God where we are. renew us in your love. The second half of the booklet provides you with details of the many opportunities to come O crucified Redeemer, together with Christians across the diocese, and region, throughout our pilgrimage. You will by the eternal Spirit you offered yourself to the Father for us: also find some further resources for prayer. renew us in your love. Contents% You breathed on the apostles the Spirit of your love, that sinners might come to know the mercy of God: % renew us in your love. Welcome from Bishop Christopher 3 You are seated at the right hand of the Father, Scripture verses, reflections and prayers for each day 4 from whom we receive the gifts of the Spirit: The Archbishops’ Call To Prayer: ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ 16 renew us in your love. Pentecost Celebration in Coventry Cathedral 17 Through the power of the Holy Spirit you wash away our sins in the waters of baptism Praying through the week at the Coventry Prayer House 18 and open our hearts to the guiding hand of the Father: renew us in your love. Weekend events with HOPE Coventry 19 The Pilgrimage Walks around the diocese 20 % A liturgy for daily prayer 22 % An order for prayer to mark the end of a Pilgrimage Walk 24 % Video links 25 % % Collects, a responsory and intercessions 26 % About the Diocesan Centenary 28 % % % % 2! ! ! 27! Collects% From%Cloud%to%Fire! Gracious God, The Cloud: enveloping the risen Christ as he ascended into heaven. we thank you that you have brought us to know and recognise you descending on the apostles to empower them to make the good news of Jesus through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Fire: We thank you for those who shared the gospel of Jesus with us; known in Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth. we ask that in turn we may pass on the Good News to others. Give us confidence to speak of you, Welcome to our pilgrimage from Ascension to Pentecost. sensitivity to walk with others on their journey, and love to inspire us to reach out to others. Our Diocesan Pilgrimage gives us a chance to step into the experience of the apostles who, over Most of all, give us a passion to see your kingdom come, this time, 'were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, that we might take steps to be your witnesses to your world. including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers’ (Acts 1.14). Through your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ - Amen. Our prayer is not only that we will be ‘clothed with power from on high’ (Luke 24.49) as Jesus’s first disciples prayed. Our prayer is also that everyone in Warwickshire and Coventry – and beyond – Almighty God, will know the love of the living God for themselves and that the Spirit of the living God has been who called your Church to witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: poured out on all – women and men, young and old, rich and poor (Acts 2.17). help us to proclaim the good news of your love that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross This booklet brings together five strands of ‘From Cloud to Fire’: and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. It provides a pattern of prayer for each day of our pilgrimage: a short verse of scripture, a Amen. reflection from Bishop John, themes for prayer and our own Pilgrimage Prayer written by Bishop John. This is a unique and powerful opportunity for everyone in the diocese to Lord Jesus, read and reflect on the same verse of scripture, and then to pray for the same needs – the when your followers walked the road to Emmaus, wondering about the truth, needs of others as well as for ourselves. We will be making this Pilgrimage of Prayer you came alongside them and revealed yourself through opened word and broken bread. together, wherever we are – praying that the Holy Spirit will refresh, inspire and equip us Come alongside those we know and love who wonder and seek. (Especially praying for…) in our own lives and in our life together. Reveal yourself in your love and make us ready to walk alongside them too, until they see your face and know your presence. It gives you essential information on the Pilgrimage Walks, taking place in the North, Amen. South, East and West of the Diocese and around the outskirts of Coventry – as well as a A%responsory% form of prayer to begin and end each walk. % Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people It gives you resources made available by the Archbishops’ Call To Prayer, Thy Kingdom and kindle in us the fire of your love. Come, including ideas from 24/7 Prayer. All who are led by the Spirit of God It is a great way to prepare for the Feast of Pentecost as we pray ‘come, Holy Spirit!’ and are children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ. it invites you to the Pentecost Sunday Celebration that will bring our Diocesan Pilgrimage Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people. and the Archbishops’ Call to Prayer to a dramatic conclusion in our Cathedral. Renew the face of your creation, Lord, By equipping us to pray wherever we are – whether on our feet walking, at our pouring on us the gifts of your Spirit, workplaces, in our schools, in our church services or in our homes alone or with others – and kindle in us the fire of your love. this valuable booklet will help us to launch our Diocesan Centenary in the presence of God. For the creation waits with eager longing for the glorious liberty of the children of God. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people Bishop John and I greatly look forward to joining you in prayer from Ascension to Pentecost! and kindle in us the fire of your love.' 26! ! ! 3! Today,'as'the'Holy'Spirit'says,'if'you'hear'His'voice,'harden'not'your'hearts.' (Hebrews'3.7) Video%links% % th Thursday%5 %May% Bishop'Christopher'introduces'‘From'Cloud'to'Fire’''' Ascension%Day% https://vimeo.com/160132214 See'page'3' ' ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; Archbishop'Justin'introduces'‘Thy'Kingdom'Come’''' and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJt4DrKhwv4'' See'page'16' and to the ends of the earth.’ ' (Acts 1:8) Bishop'John'talks'about'prayer'for'the'giving'of'the'Holy'Spirit''' https://vimeo.com/160267924 See'page'4' The risen Lord, just before the Ascension, promises the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit.