HOLY WEEK PRAYER STATIONS

For Holy Week this year, we’ve created a resource for you to be able to move your way through the different stations of the cross, whilst we are all based in our homes. It is entirely up to you how you use it. There are three sections:

1. Eight prayer stations: Garden of Gethsemane through to Jesus Laid in a Tomb. We suggest

you spread it out over a few days from Monday leading up to Good Friday.

2. Maundy Thursday: we would like to encourage you to read the Bible passage(s) as you eat

your evening meal and consider Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples.

3. Easter Sunday: One final station to do on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Every station includes: Some passages of scripture to read; A short prayer or poem to say and reflect on; A simple activity with suggestions on what you can think about in silence.

The Bible passages are taken from the New International Version (2011). For language better suited to children, try the International Children’s Bible (ICB) available at www.biblegateway.com

We created this with every age in mind and for any size household to use, so get the whole family involved. If you live alone, perhaps you could agree with a friend to do it at the same time from your homes, starting and ending with prayer together on the phone. Below is a list of things you will need to do the prayer activates. You’ll be prompted when to find and use them.

• A pretty plant to look at • A piece of paper (per person)

• 30 coins (or as many as you can find) • 3 nails, screws, or drawing pins

• Blindfold • A heavy object

• Metal kitchen scrubber and/or prickly • Blanket

thorns • Tape/masking tape/blue tac

We’ve also curated a playlist of instrumental music you might find helpful, but feel free to use your own worship music or embrace the silence.

Spotify: stbarnabascambridge - Holy Week 2020 YouTube: St Barnabas Church - Holy Week 2020

We hope that at this challenging time in the life of our nation, you will be able to turn your eyes and behold the wonder of the cross.

1 STATIONS OF THE CROSS

1. THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

MATTHEW 26:36-41

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

HEBREWS 5:7

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you entered the garden of fear and faced the agony of your impending death: be with those who share that agony and face death unwillingly this day. You shared our fear and knew the weakness of our humanity: give strength and hope to the dispirited and despairing. To you,

Jesus, who sweated blood, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

2 ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Either; find a pretty flower from your garden or home, look at your garden from your window or look at this picture of a garden below. Spend some time thinking about the verses you’ve read above as you look at and/or hold the flower you’ve got. Consider the times recently that you have given into temptation.

For Children, it might be helpful to read this one verse from the International Children’s Bible over a few times while they look/hold the flower and consider when they have given in to temptation.

“My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want”

Matthew 26:39 (ICB)

Garden of Gethsemane. Photo by Stacey Franco (Unsplash)

3 2. BETRAYED AND DENIED (TRUST BROKEN AND LET DOWN)

MARK 14:10-11, 43-46, 72

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over…

43 Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him…

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

PSALM 41:9

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you were betrayed by the kiss of a friend: be with those who are betrayed and slandered and falsely accused. You knew the experience of having your love thrown back in your face for mere silver: be with families which are torn apart by mistrust or temptation. To you,

Jesus, who offered your face to your betrayer, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy

Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Find 30 coins in your house (or as many as you can find). As you count them into a new pile consider the times in your life that you have betrayed and broken the trust of Jesus as well as the time you have also denied and let Jesus down.

4 3. CONDEMNED AND JUDGED (BLAMED AND CRITICISED)

MARK 14:55-65 AND 15:1, 9-15

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him…

1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to

Pilate…

9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

1 PETER 2:23

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

5 POEM

The very air that Pilate breathes, the voice

With which he speaks in judgment, all his powers

Of perception and discrimination, choice,

Decision, all his years, his days and hours,

His consciousness of self, his every sense,

Are given by this prisoner, freely given.

The man who stands there making no defence,

Is God. His hands are tied, His heart is open.

And he bears Pilate’s heart in his and feels

That crushing weight of wasted life. He lifts

It up in silent love. He lifts and heals.

He gives himself again with all his gifts

Into our hands. As Pilate turns away

A door swings open. This is judgment day.

(I Jesus is condemned to death by Malcolm Guite)

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

After reading the above passages from Mark’s Gospel blindfold yourself or close your eyes and think about what was happening to Jesus and how he might be feeling.

For Children get them to close their eyes and whilst an adult reads these words out aloud. Whilst you have your eyes closed think about what was happening to Jesus and how he might feel.

So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate… (Pause in silence)

The chief priests accused him of many things… (Pause in silence)

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified… (Pause in silence)

6 4. CROWN AND CROSS

JOHN 19:1-6, 14-16

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”…

14 It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate asked, “Shall

I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 Finally Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

1 PETER 5:4

And when the Chief Shepperd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you faced the torment of barbaric punishment and mocking tongue: be with those who cry out in physical agony and emotional distress.

You endured unbearable abuse: be with those who face torture and mockery in our world today.

You carried the cross through the rough streets of Jerusalem: be with those who are loaded with burdens beyond their strength.

You bore the weight of our sins when you carried the cross: help us to realize the extent and the cost of your love for us.

To you, Jesus, the King crowned with thorns, bearing a cross not your own, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

7 ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Find a metal scrubber (often what you use to clean dirty pots and pans) and/or a thorny bramble bush from outside. Carefully, hold it in your hand and spend some time thinking about what it might be like to have a crown of thorns on your head. After you’ve spent some time thinking, find a piece of paper and tear a cross out of it. Carry it with you through the next stations, as you will need this again soon.

8 5. SIMON CARRIES THE CROSS

MARK 15:21-22

21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

MATTHEW 11:28

28 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you were worn down by fatigue: be with those from whom life drains all energy.

You needed the help of a passing stranger: give us the humility to receive aid from others.

To you, Jesus, weighed down with exhaustion and in need of help, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Find a heavy object in your house. Not too heavy that it injures you though! Try to carry it from one part of your house to the other, as you slowly take one step at a time, think about the weight not only of the cross but of the sins of the whole world that Jesus carried. If you prefer not to carry something, have a go at slowly working your way through one of the labyrinths on the next page with your finger, taking time to think through the same as though you were carrying an object.

9

10 6. JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

MARK 15:23-32

23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him.

Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. 28 It is written:

‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and Jesus said, “I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.” 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

1 PETER 2:24

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

POEM

See, as they strip the robe from off his back

And spread his arms and nail them to the cross,

The dark nails pierce him and the sky turns black,

And love is firmly fastened onto loss.

But here a pure change happens. On this tree

Loss becomes gain, death opens into birth.

Here wounding heals and fastening makes free

Earth breathes in heaven, heaven roots in earth.

And here we see the length, the breadth, the height

Where love and hatred meet and love stays true

Where sin meets grace and darkness turns to light

We see what love can bear and be and do, 11 And here our saviour calls us to his side

His love is free, his arms are open wide.

(XI Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross by Malcolm Guite)

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Taking your paper cross, find 3 nails or screws. Carefully pierce them through the paper, one on each arm and one at the base. Keep them in the paper (you’ll need it for further stations) and hold it as you think about the mocking that Jesus was faced with as he had nails put into his hand and feet.

12 7. JESUS DIES

LUKE 23:44-47

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

These are the last words Jesus says before he dies, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Hold your breath and think about Jesus hanging on a cross, in pain and dying all alone … PAUSE

… Give thanks for what Jesus has done for you.

As you come to draw your breath again and as you break the silence say “Amen”.

13 8. JESUS LAID IN THE TOMB

MARK 15:43-47

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So

Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

ROMANS 6:6-7

6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Lord of life, you became as nothing for us: be with those who feel worthless and as nothing in the world’s eyes.

You were laid in a cold, dark tomb and hidden from sight: be with all who suffer and die in secret, hidden from the eyes of the world.

To you, Jesus, your rigid body imprisoned in a tomb, be honour and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

Find a blanket and lie on your bed or sofa or the floor with the blanket on top of you. Put yourself in the shoes of the Mary’s. How must they have been feeling at this point, having witnessed someone they deeply cared for brutally killed? If you prefer not to cover yourself in a blanket, you could instead take your nails/screws out of your paper cross. Then put your paper cross on a windowsill. Take some time putting yourself in the Mary’s perspective.

14 MAUNDY THURSDAY (WITH YOUR EVENING MEAL)

MATTHEW 26:17-30

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked,

“Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the

Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

PRAYER

God our Father, you have invited us to share in the supper which your Son gave to his Church to proclaim his death until he comes: may he nourish us by his presence, and unite us with his love; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. FILM

You might like to watch the film Prince of Egypt. You can find this on the following online platforms (a small cost may be incurred to rent or buy it): YouTube, GooglePlay, and Netflix.

For younger children you might like to watch Veggie Tales: Moe and the Big Exit. This is available on YouTube: VeggieTales - Moe And The Big Exit (2007)

You might also like to read the Passover account from Exodus found on the next page. 15 EXODUS 12:1-28

1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbour, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire— with the head, legs and internal organs. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. 15 For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.

16 On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat; that is all you may do. 17 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 18 In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And

16 anyone, whether foreigner or native-born, who eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel.

20 Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.” 21 Then

Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. 23 When the Lord goes through the land to strike-down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 then tell them, ‘It is the

Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. 28 The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron.

17 EASTER SUNDAY

JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD

MARK 16:1-8

1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into

Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:55

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

1 PETER 1:3-4

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you were dead but now you are alive: transform the torments of this world’s sin that we may see your radiant glory. You were raised from death to life: may the power of your resurrection live in us, that we may be channels of your true life beyond measure. To you, Jesus, who have broken free from the bonds of death, be honour and glory with the Father and the

Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

18 ACTIVITY AND REFLECTION

We started in the Garden of Gethsemane and today we end in the garden where Jesus rose from the dead. The old has gone the new is here. Take your paper cross and tape it to a window that looks out to your garden, or place it by the plant you used for the first station. Give thanks for the new life you have in Jesus because he has defeated death!

19