Image Source: "Jesus Dies on the Cross," from a set of Stations of the Cross painted by David O'Connell, Bing Image Search - Creative Commons GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA Walking in Love, Welcoming All The Rev. Seldon Walker, Rector Stations of the Cross APRIL 2, 2021 12:00 PM Join us online for worship every Sunday at 10AM including Easter Sunday! https://GraceYorktown.online.church The people assemble at the first station, the steps of the historic church, and observe a moment of silence. The peoples’ responses are in bold. Opening Devotions 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. Officiant and People Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: In whom is our salvation, our life and our resurrection. Let us pray. (Silence) Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God 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. 2 After the Kyrie is said (the “Lord have mercy”) the people move to the next station. The people are invited to take turns carrying the Cross, remembering Jesus’ Cross, carried to his crucifixion. ╬ ╬ ╬ First Station: Jesus prays in the garden. We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” (Luke 22:41-46) We pray • for all those who pray on the night before something they fear, such as surgery, going to court, a big test, a coming storm, or something that may cause pain or failure; • for people who have trouble sleeping or are filled with worry; • for those at decision-points in their lives; • for those who are uncertain or in great need, or face the unknown courageously; and • for all military and police and all first responders who serve in harm’s way and who are in need of wisdom and critical thinking in imminent times of higher stress. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy 3 ╬ ╬ ╬ Second Station: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested. We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. 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. (Mark 14:43- 46) We pray • for all those who are in prison or awaiting trial; • for those who have been betrayed by their friends, or who are wrongfully convicted of crimes, or are lied and gossiped about; • for prison guards, judges, and police; • for people imprisoned by addictions, guilt, or poverty; • for all whose governments have betrayed their people's trust; and • for those in positions of authority and leadership roles who because of their own greed and desire for power have betrayed their followers and constituents. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy 4 ╬ ╬ ╬ Third Station: Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin. We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (Matthew 26:62-66) We pray • for religious leaders – vestries, priests, and bishops – and for all lay ministers and leaders in Grace Church; • for religious leaders who are tempted to be self-righteous, intolerant or judgmental, or who put themselves on a pedestal, and forget that they are acting on behalf of God; • for the Government of the United States – the Congress, President, and courts – for the Government of Virginia, and for the governments of the cities and counties of the Peninsula, especially Yorktown; • for bankers, stockbrokers, financial managers, the Secretary of the Treasury, and all who are responsible for other people’s money; and • for the governments of every nation. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy 5 ╬ ╬ ╬ Fourth Station: Peter denies knowing Jesus We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. 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. (Matthew 26:69-75) We pray • for all those who deliberately lie for the sake of wealth or influence or power or any malice; • for all who are pressured by their peers or by self-interest to lie or do what they know is wrong, and those who pressure them; • for all who have disappointed someone and regretted it, or not had the courage to do what’s right; • for people who are ashamed, or who do not believe they can be forgiven, or be given a second chance; and • for people who take money to sell somebody out, and for anybody who serves on a jury or gives testimony in court. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. 6 ╬ ╬ ╬ Fifth Station: Jesus is condemned by Pilate We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. (Luke 23:13-15, 23-24) We pray • for prosecutors, defense attorneys and all people charged with crimes; • for all who run for political office and are tempted to take the low road or seek their own gain; • for people in power who allow fear, greed, or the desire for power, to contaminate their virtue; • for parole boards, judges, juries, and all who must decide about the fate of other people; • for all teachers whose instruction and grading affect students’ lives; • for those oppressed for their political beliefs, their race, their religion, their sexual orientation or their nationality; and • for those who lack moral courage and "go with the flow" like Pilate. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. 7 ╬ ╬ ╬ Sixth Station: Jesus is whipped and crowned with thorns We praise you O Christ and give you thanks, For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort.