Building a Labyrinth

Overall Size
This a picture of the labyrinth I designed. It is a square version of the Chartres labyrinth in France. The design is flexible in that you can adjust the overall size of the labyrinth to fit the room you will be using. You do this by by adjusting the width of the path itself. I recommend that the path be a minimum of 18 inches wide. At 18 inches wide, the overall size of the labyrinth would be 27' wide and 22.5' tall. If you make the path 24 inches wide the labyrinth would then be 36' wide and 30' tall.

Building the Labyrinth
Your first decision is what to use to build your labyrinth. I usually use blue painter's masking tape and stick it right to the floor. The tape doesn't leave a residue on the floor when you pull it up and yet it has good adhesion for up to a week's time. A friend of mine hit up a local bill board company and got some huge sheets of free vinyl (You can sometimes get ad misprints for free. One side might have a beer advertisement, but the other will be blank). This friend used duct tape to outline his labyrinth and it is still going strong after years of use. Four canvas drop cloths from the local hardware store can also be Velcro'd together to achieve the right size for a labyrinth. I've even seen hay bales used before.

Construction
Here's my preferred method for building the labyrinth. Two people can do it in a 3-4 hours. You'll need a chalk line, a 90 degree laser level, a long tape measure, and plenty of blue tape. First use the laser level to tape two lines at a 90 degree angle to each other (the bottom and one side of the labyrinth). If the pathway is 18 inches wide then one line will be 27' long and the other will be 22.5' long. Now use the level again to shoot the other side and top of the labyrinth. When you are done you should have a big rectangle taped to the floor. It is important to measure the rectangle from side to side and top to bottom in several locations to make sure the lines are the same distance apart (parallel to each other).

Next use your chalk line to snap a line on the floor every 18 inches. Do this from side to side and top to bottom. You'll wind up with a big blue grid on the floor. This is what takes the longest amount of time to do. Now you are ready to tape.

Since you have laid down a grid, it is simply a matter of looking at the design picture (the one with the grid at the top of this page) and counting boxes to determine how long a line is. I like to start by taping the very middle station (#6) and working my way outward. By looking at the design I know the middle station is six grid lines from the left side, six grid lines from the right side, seven grid lines from the top, and six grid lines from the bottom. You can also start in a corner and work your way out from there.

I don't put the tape directly on top of the chalk line. The powder will prevent the tape from adhering to the floor. I place the tape just to the side of the chalk line. Just make sure you are consistent with which side of the chalk you place the tape. Otherwise the labyrinth won't line up with itself.

Once you are all taped, sweep up the chalk and start decorating. It is important to transform the space into something different. You want people to walk into the room and realize that it is a place set apart for something holy.

Using the Labyrinth
This labyrinth is a journey in three parts. Stations 1-5 are an inward journey about shedding the outside world and entering a state or attitude of worship. Station 6 is the center of the labyrinth. It is the heart of the theme and an unhurried place to give yourself over to God. Stations 7-9 are the outward journey which are about taking what was encountered or learned back out into the world.

Station: Hard Heart

Idea: At the beginning of a worship service, I find that I am usually still distracted by outside thoughts or worries. I often need a focusing activity that helps me consciously choose to start the surrendering process of worship. This station is designed to aid in that process.

Activity: During the very opening elements of a worship gathering (which frequently happens to be music) I will pass around several offering plates. I use old, tarnished silver garage sale plates or shallow bowls. In each plate I will place a scripture verse, instructions, a piece of wood, and a small ball of playdough or soft clay. The idea is to read a passage concerning the state of one's heart while holding the piece of wood in one hand and the playdough in the other. Each person must decide which object better represents the state or attitude of his or her heart towards God at the moment.

Instructions:Hold the piece of wood in one hand and the ball of clay in the other while reading the scripture passage. Squeeze each one and decide which one better represents where your heart is with God right now. Will your heart be hard like the wood or malleable like the clay in God's presence today?

Scripture Ideas:Matthew 13:14-17, Joel 2:13

Materials: soft clay, playdough ,or the homemade version
small block of wood
tray or plate

Stations of the Cross

Here is the liturgy for Stations of the Cross taken from the Book of Occasional Services. There are a total of 14 stations in the liturgy, however only eight are mentioned scripture. I have listed only the eight stations mentioned in scripture.

Stations of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord’s Prayer

V We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.

Let us pray. (silence)

Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

First Station

Jesus is condemned to death

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And they all condemned him and said, “He deserves to die.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. Then he handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

V God did not spare his own Son:
R But delivered him up for us all.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Second Station

Jesus takes up his cross.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Like a lamb he was led to the slaughter; and like a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he opened not his mouth. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom

V The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all:
R For the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Let us pray. (Silence)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him: who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Third Station

The Cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

As they led Jesus away, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

V Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me:
R Cannot be my disciple.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Fourth Station

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because of your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

There followed after Jesus a great multitude of the people, and among them were women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

V Those who sowed with tears:
R Will reap with songs of joy.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Teach your Church, O Lord, to mourn the sins of which it is guilty, and to repent and forsake them; that, by your pardoning grace, the results of our iniquities may not be visited upon our children and our children’s children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Fifth Station

Jesus is stripped of his garments.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because of your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And they divided his garments among them by casting lots. This was to fulfill the scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.”

V They gave me gall to eat:
R And when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Sixth Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When the came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him; and with him they crucified two criminals, one on the right, the other on the left, and Jesus between them. And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.”

V They pierce my hands and my feet:
R They stare and gloat over me.

Let us pray. (Silence)

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hand sin love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Seventh Station

Jesus dies on the Cross

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” And then, crying with a loud voice, he said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And he bowed his head, and handed over his spirit.


V Christ for us became obedient unto death:
R Even death on a cross.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.



Eighth Station

Jesus is laid in the tomb

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pi8late and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean lined shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb.

V You will not abandon me to the grave:
R Nor let your holy One see corruption.

Let us pray. (Silence)

O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden, and rested on the Sabbath day; Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find out perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.


Concluding Prayers before the Altar

Savior of the world; by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us:
Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord.

Let us pray. (Silence)

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Tenebrae Service

Here is a tenebrae liturgy adapted from the Anglican Book of Occasional Services. We shortened it to about an hour and added more interactive elements.

This is a service of darkness that leads to the death of Christ. The big visual was the gradual extinguishing of candles through the service until there was only one candle left in the room. It was then hidden from view at the end of the service.

Tenebrae Service
Mark 15:33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land…

Introduction:
Last week the light of Christ shone brightly during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This week death encroaches and attempts to snuff out and extinguish the light of Christ. Tonight we are celebrating a medieval liturgy called the Tenebrae. Tenebrae is the Latin word for darkness or shadows and this service is a representation of the darkness that covered the world at the death of Jesus.

First Nocturn
Song: Prepare the Way
Song: Here I Am to Worship

Lesson 1 – Sam
A Reading from the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet. [1:1- 14]
How solitary lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow has she become, she that was great among the nations! She that was queen among the cities has now become a vassal.
She weeps bitterly in the night, tears run down her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.
Judah has gone into the misery of exile and of hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place; all her pursuers overtook her in the midst of her anguish.
The roads to Zion mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts; all her gates are desolate, her priests groan and sigh; her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
Her adversaries have become her masters, her enemies prosper; because the Lord has punished her for the multitude of her rebellions; her children are gone, driven away as captives by the enemy.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God!

Responsory 1 In monte Oliueti
Vic: On the mount of Olives Jesus prayed to the Father:

Lindsey: Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Vic: Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. L. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Lesson 2 - Lynnette
And from Daughter Zion all her majesty has departed; her princes have become like stags that can find no pasture, and that run without strength before the hunter.
Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and bitterness all the precious things that were hers from the days of old; when her people fell into the hand of the foe, and there was none to help her; the adversary saw her, and mocked at her downfall.
Jerusalem has sinned greatly, therefore she has become a thing unclean; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; and now she sighs, and turns her face away.
Uncleanness clung to her skirts, she took no thought of her doom; therefore her fall is terrible, she has no comforter. "O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed."
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God!

Responsory 2 Tristis est anima mea
Vic: My soul is very sorrowful, even to the point of death; remain here and watch with me.

Lindsey: Now you shall see the crowd who will surround me; you will flee, and I will go to be offered up for you.

Vic: Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Lindsey: You will flee, and I will go to be offered up for you.

Lesson 3 - Mark
The adversary has stretched out his hand to seize all her precious things; she has seen the Gentiles invade her sanctuary, those whom you had forbidden to enter your congregation.
All her people groan as they search for bread; they sell their own children for food to revive their strength. "Behold, O Lord, and consider, for I am now beneath contempt!"
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted, on the day of his burning anger.
From on high he sent fire, into my bones it descended; he spread a net for my feet, and turned me back; he has left me desolate and faint all the day long.
My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; their yoke is upon my neck; he has caused my strength to fail. The Lord has delivered me into their hands, against whom I am not able to stand up.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return to the Lord your God!

Responsory 3 Ecce vidimus eum
Vic: Lo, we have seen him without beauty or majesty, with no looks to attract our eyes.

Lindsey: He bore our sins and grieved for us, He was wounded for our transgressions, and by his scourging we are healed.
Vic: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows:

Lindsey: And by his scourging we are healed.

Lauds
Let us read this Psalm together in unison.

Psalm 63:1-8 Deus, Deus meus.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Song: Kindness

Lectio Divina

Background: Hezekiah was King of Judah in the time after Israel had been conquered, but before the Babylonian captivity. He was a good King who was faithful to the Lord. Hezekiah became sick and was about to die when the Lord answered his prayers and miraculously healed him. This is Hezekiah’s song of thanksgiving.

Instructions: I’m going to read it once and give you some time to reflect on the story. Just relax and listen on this first reading. Offer several minutes of silence after reading. I am going to read the passage a second time. This time listen for a word, image or phrase that stands out to you for some reason. Offer several minutes of silence after reading the passage. Share this word or image with the people around you. Allow plenty time for people to share. I'm going to read the passage one last time. In what ways is Hezekiah’s story similar to what Christ is going through? Offer several minutes of silence after reading the passage and allow people to share with each other once again.

The Song of Hezekiah [Isaiah 38:10-20]
10 I said, "In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death [a] and be robbed of the rest of my years?"

12 Like a shepherd's tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.

13 I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me.

15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.

17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

18 For the grave [c] cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

19 The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.

20 The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.

Stations of the Cross and Candles
Song: Tell Me I’m Mistaken with Stations of the Cross Slides.
Vic will play and sing the song while power point slides of the crucifixion play on the TV. These slides are the eight Stations of the Cross mentioned in scripture. Each slide should stay up for at least 30 seconds. As one slide dissolves into the next, one candle should be blown out. There are eight candles total. At the end of the slides, the screen will be black and only one candle will remain lit. DO NOT BLOW IT OUT!

After a moment of silence, the remaining candle is taken from the stand and hidden behind a black sheet (symbolizes the tomb)

More silence

Closing Prayer: Christus factus est
Christ for us became obedient unto death, even death on a cross; therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the Name which is above every name.

People leave in silence.
We handed out out cards at the close of the service with these instructions:

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:51

As you left the Tenebrae service Sunday, Christ lay dead in his tomb. We symbolized this by placing a candle behind a black curtain. Yet the liturgy continues.
At the moment of Christ’s death, the curtain in the temple was torn in two. Previously, it separated God’s presence in the Holy of Holies from the people.
This piece of black cloth was torn from the one we used Sunday. It represents the temple curtain at Christ’s death.

This week reflect & pray on the extraordinary promises from the Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79). Carry your torn piece of curtain with you & ponder the implications it has for your life

The Song of Zechariah Benedictus Dominus Deus (Luke 1:68-79)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sightall the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his 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.