Stations of the Cross: Sorrow and Betrayal

For a Lent this year we are moving together as a congregation through the Scriptural Stations of the Cross, journeying week by week through the events of the final hours of Jesus’ earthly life. Each week I will post art, music, and/or poetry here that can help you continue to contemplate these scenes at home throughout the week.

Station 1: Matthew 26:36-46 (NRSV)
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;[a] the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

By Sam Wilson (American Southwest)

By He Qi (China)

By Via de Jesus Mafa (Cameroon)

Station 2: Mark 14:43-50 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 All of them deserted him and fled.

David Haas Judas Betrayal of Jesus: https://youtu.be/ME1p2tnZ_V4

Peace: A Study, A Song, A Snapshot

As we continue in this second week of Advent, I offer you three tools for reflection this week.

The first is the word study video we watched together from The Bible Project on Sunday:

The second second is a beautiful Christmas song from The Indigo Girls, “Peace Child”. Consider how this song picks up and weaves together the themes of the video.

Finally, a picture I took at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in DC last fall with a version of a quote I referenced in my sermon on Sunday. This is the heart of what the Bible means when it speaks of peace...how can we make this a reality this week?

One More About Hope

After I wrote my sermon about hope and the blog about hope I posted earlier this week, I came across this remarkable quote and needed to share it with you all. Carry this one with you through this week focused on hope!

Hope

As we enter the season of Advent, for those of you who were not able to be with us in worship yesterday, here is our first word study video for the season, courtesy of athe Bible Project. What does it mean to be a people of hope?

In addition, I’ve been walking around the house all day singing this beautiful Advent song. Give it a listen, and may  it bring light to your hearts as we wait with hope for Christ.

Holy Saturday

This incredible new song by my favorite musician, Andrew Peterson, is one I cannot stop listening to this Holy Week. Take four minutes today to listen to it, and it will set you up to experience this Holy Saturday of silence in a new way. See you tomorrow at sunrise (6:30am, Main Cape Beach)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a34ABuJh9jA

Praying the Psalms: Images for Psalm 51

If you've been in our sanctuary for Lent, you may have noticed some photos displayed. As part of our Lenten Intergenerational Faith Formation event, we had people choose from a stack of images pictures that they felt helped illustrate different verses from this week's Psalm of focus--Psalm 51. So, instead of music for this week, we will use these images to help us pray. How do these images fit with, clash with, or change/enhance the way you pray and hear this prayer? Which line of the prayer do you most connect with?

Praying the Psalms: Music for Psalm 107

As we continue in the season of Lent, our worship also continues focusing on the Psalms and how they can help teach us what it means to pray, and how to pray. The Psalms, of course, were not originally written to be read, but to be sung--and so, each week I'm posting a couple of sung versions of our Psalm for that Sunday for you to listen to in advance of worship, or during the week following as you continue to try praying this Psalm in your own daily life.

This week's Psalm is Psalm 107. Check out the versions below and take time to reflect on specific reasons you have to thank God for God's activity in your life this week.