OLD PINE PRESENTS Explore the story of ' journey to the cross and beyond

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Stations of the Cross art exhibit at Old Pine Presbyterian Church. We hope the scriptures and questions in this booklet, in addition to the art and walking outside, will all provide you with opportunities for rest, reflection, and prayer. The Stations of the Cross refers to a series of images depicting Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. The stations grew out of imitations of in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked when he was crucified. The objective of the stations is to facilitate a spiritual pilgrimage by contemplating the last hours of Jesus Christ's life. The details of the stations have shifted somewhat through the centuries; this version of Stations of the Cross follows the Scriptural Way of the Cross which has been in use widely since 1991.

Each page of this booklet has the related scripture, a reflection question, and a brief prayer that you may pray if you wish.

We hope you'll join us for worship sometime soon: every Sunday at 10:30am on our YouTube channel: YouTube.com/oldpinechurch .

We'll also have a Maundy Thursday worship service on April 1 at 7:30pm, as well as an early in-person, outdoor, masks-required Easter service at 8:30am and a 10:30am livestream Easter service.

For more information about Old Pine Church, go to oldpine.org. STATION 1: AGONY IN THE GARDEN

Artist: Jesus MAFA, Cameroon

Matthew 26:36-41 Then Jesus went with them to a place called ; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 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.” 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? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Reflection Questions: What are you afraid to do even though you know you need to do it? What are you being invited to stay awake and present to? What is getting in the way of keeping vigil?

Prayer: God who understands fear, grant us courage when we are afraid. Amen. STATION 2: JESUS, BETRAYED BY JUDAS, IS ARRESTED

Artist: Caravaggio

Mark 14:43-46 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. 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.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him.

Reflection Questions: When have you felt betrayed? When have you betrayed someone else?

Prayer: God of truth, help us to endure painful revelations. Give us the courage to be truthful and loving. Amen. STATION 3: JESUS IS CONDEMNED BY THE SANHEDRIN

Artist: Matthias Stom

Luke 22:66-71 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

Reflection Questions: What injustice most breaks your heart? Who are you most likely to distrust?

Prayer: God of unexpected truth, help us be a part of your justice work here on earth. Amen. STATION 4: JESUS IS DENIED BY PETER

Artist: Matthia Stom

Matthew 26:69-75 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Reflection Questions: When have you denied the truth out of fear? What truths do you need to share?

Prayer: God of grace, forgive us for denying our love for you. Help us to begin again and give us courage. Amen. STATION 5: JESUS IS JUDGED BY PILATE

Artist: Antonio Ciseri

Mark 15:1-5, 15 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Reflection Questions: When have you gone along with the crowd to avoid conflict? How might you respond the next time?

Prayer: God of justice, give us the courage to stand up for what is right. Help us to not shy away from conflict if it is necessary. Amen. STATION 6: JESUS IS CROWNED WITH THORNS

Artist: Odilon Redon

Matthew 26:69-75 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Reflection Questions: When have you denied the truth out of fear? What truths do you need to share?

Prayer: God of grace, forgive us for denying our love for you. Help us to begin again and give us courage. Amen. STATION 7: JESUS BEARS THE CROSS ALONE

Artist: Unknown

John 19:6, 15-17 When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

Reflection Questions: When have you seen something that is legal but not just? What would you have said had you been there?

Prayer: God our Creator, you designed us to love, to uphold justice, to tell the truth. Forgive us when we fall short. Have mercy on us. Amen. STATION 8: JESUS IS HELPED BY SIMON OF CYRENE

Artist: Unknown

Mark 15:21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

Reflection Questions: What are the implications of Jesus, equally divine and human, needing help? When has someone helped you in the midst of great pain and sorrow? Who in your life is carrying heavy burdens? How might you help them?

Prayer: God who knows what it means to need and accept help, take away our pride. Empower us to ask for help and to give help. Amen. STATION 9: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Artist: Dan Oberly

Luke 23:27-31 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Reflection Questions: What does the last sentence of the scripture passage remind you of? What do you sense is coming in the future that you need help to endure?

Prayer: God of provision, be with us as we face whatever comes. Give us the strength to endure. Amen. STATION 10: JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

Artist: Marc Chagall

Luke 23:33-34 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

Reflection Questions: When have you done something that seemed right at the time but later you regretted? What grief are you carrying?

Prayer: God of empathy and love, thank you for witnessing our pain and not turning away. Forgive us for the things we've done unknowingly. Amen. STATION 11: JESUS PROMISES THE KINGDOM TO THE GOOD THIEF

Artist: Lynn Kiefer

Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Reflection Questions: What actions do you regret? How might you act differently in the future?

Prayer: God of mercy, remember us. We long for your love and grace. Remember us. Amen. STATION 12: JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER & THE DISCIPLES

Artist: Unknown John 19:25-27 And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and . When Jesus saw his mother and the whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Reflection Questions: Who is a part of your "chosen family" and why are you grateful for them? When have you witnessed women choosing not to turn away from pain?

Prayer: God who created us to be in relationship with each other, help us find chosen families and experience healing in our families of origin. Amen. STATION 13: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Artist: Russell Carey Luke 23:44-46 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.

Reflection Questions: What might you need to let go of? What barriers exist between you and God that need to come down?

Prayer: God who holds us even in death, hold us now in our grief. Amen. STATION 14: JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB

Artist: Audrey Frank Anastasi Matthew 27:57-60 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.

Reflection Questions: What loss feels very "final" right now? Where in your life do you need to be cared for with gentleness and kindness?

Prayer: God of wonder, you also are acquainted with grief. Be with us as we wait and watch for your new life to surprise us. Keep vigil with us as we mourn and as we hope. Amen. LOOKING TOWARD RESURRECTION

As you leave, we encourage you to take a wildflower seed and place it in the terracotta pot of soil. Many traditions of the Stations of the Cross have a 15th station marking the Resurrection.

In lieu of another artwork, we invite you to be a part of a collaborative "art" of planting seeds into the dark soil and witnessing the new life that springs up despite all expectations to the contrary. Stay tuned to our instagram page (instagram.com/oldpinechurch) to see progress as the flowers grow.

If you are reading this guide digitally and are unable to participate in the seed-planting on- site at Old Pine, we encourage you to spend some time on Holy Saturday outside, either being still and observing nature or planting or tending to a garden. Over the years, a tradition arose of spending Holy Saturday planting one's garden, as a connection to Mary Magdalene confusing the risen Christ for a gardener in the of John.

Blessings and peace to you this Holy Week.