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Good Friday
Stations of the Cross
Pastor Ben has put together a Stations of the Cross walk you can do on your own. There are maps for downtown Concord and Dorton Park so you can stay close to home. Attached is the pdf if you would like to download and go phone free. If you would like to carry your phone the entire piece is below the Way of the Cross video. If you would rather listen to the hymns simply click on the blue title and it will link you to a YouTube recording of the hymn.
Downtown Concord (left) Dorton Park (right) maps with stations.
The Way of the Cross
2020 Central UMC Stations of the Cross
Greetings and peace to you in this holy season of Lent. In this time of social distancing we still want to foster discipleship and spiritual growth in any way that we can while still protecting the vulnerable among us from the risk of transmission. To that end, we have developed a self-led Stations of the Cross for you to do on Good Friday (April 10) or another date of your choosing. The intention is not to gather with others but rather to pick your own, individual or family time to do this. If you do the Stations of the Cross as a family, feel free to pick someone in the family as the leader or rotate readers at each station, and you may all join together in saying the bold sections. We have included two routes for if you live in 28025 or in 28027. Feel free to incorporate the suggested songs or not as you so desire. If you have mobile data, you can stream the hymns via the links in the titles of the songs. If you do so, you’re invited to use them for the music, but we don’t recommend watching the videos. Rather, listen, sing along, pray, and/or observe creation around you. If you do not have mobile data, included in this email is a pdf of all of this information that you can print out to use. The woodcuts included for meditation are by Noyes Capehart. These prints are found on the 2 nd floor of Central UMC. It is our sincere hope that the Stations of the Cross will be a meaningful experience for you in these times of uncertainty and trial Blessings for the journey! 
Downtown Concord
Dorton Park
OPENING DEVOTION

Let us prepare ourselves to meditate upon the mystery of the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The death of Christ shows us the gravity of our sins, but even more, it reveals the depth of God's love for us.

LET US PRAY .
Lord God, go with us now on this way of the cross. Help all of us who make this journey meet Christ in our own lives and imitate him in all that we do.
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

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, forever and ever. Amen.
I
JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

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

READINGS
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. 
(Mark 15:1-5,15)

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered he did not threaten;
But he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 
(I Peter 2:23)

LET US PRAY.
Lord Jesus, you were a prisoner unjustly condemned. Help us remember the prisoners of our world who need ministry and those unjustly persecuted who need our voices to speak for them.
Make us hungry for justice.
Lord Jesus, Pilate condemned you to please the crowd. Help us reject the pressures of the crowd that would have us condemn the innocent, devalue the worthy, or neglect those whom you love.
Make us hungry for justice.
Lord Jesus, the people chose Barabbas instead of you. Make us long for you and the ways of your kingdom. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
II
JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

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

READINGS
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. 
(John 19:15-17)

Upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
And by his bruises we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5b)

LET US PRAY.
Dearest Lord Jesus, you were raised up on the cross as a sacrifice for our salvation. Keep us always in the covenant of our baptism so that we may live as your redeemed people.
Lord, you have saved us by your blood.
Dearest Lord Jesus, by dying you broke the power of death and opened to us the way of everlasting life. Fill us with that sure and certain hope.
Lord, you have saved us by your blood.
Dearest Lord Jesus, as we listen to the promises and demands of our leaders, help us remember that we have a King beyond any president or governor and a loyalty to a kingdom not of this world. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
III
JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME

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

READINGS
Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross.
(Philippians 2:6-8)

He was despised and rejected by others;
A man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity. 
(Isaiah 53:3a)

LET US PRAY.
Christ Jesus, you gave up everything so that we might be part of your eternal family. Forgive us when we hold too tightly to material things. Help us cling only to you.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ Jesus, give us grace to share what you have given us with the world. Help us learn that it is by emptying ourselves in your service that we are filled.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ Jesus, be our model of obedience. Conform our wills more and more to the will of your Father. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
IV
JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

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

READINGS
My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out on the ground because of the destruction of my people, because infants and babes faint in the streets of the city. What can I say for you, O daughter Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter Zion? For vast as the sea is your ruin; who can heal you? 
(Lamentations 2:11,13)

Simeon speaking to Mary says…
This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel ...
And a sword will pierce your own soul too. 
(Luke 2:34-35)

LET US PRAY.
Lord Jesus, son of Mary, your suffering and death pierced the heart of your mother like a sword, yet she remained faithful. Give us grace to follow her example of discipleship.
Hear our prayer, 0 Lord.
Lord Jesus, son of Mary, often our eyes are red from weeping because we see ruin around us. Help us know that God is in control, no matter how things appear. Give us patience to actively wait for God's mighty acts, always knowing that God's kingdom will come and God's will will be done. 
Hear our prayer, 0 Lord. 
Lord Jesus, son of Mary, when our stomachs churn and all our energy is poured out on the ground, heal our brokenness. Send comfort in our weeping. Remind us of your unfailing love. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
V
SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY THE CROSS

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

READINGS
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.
(Luke 23:26)

Bear one another's burdens,
And in this way fulfill the law of Christ. 
(Galatians 6:2)

LET US PRAY.
Christ our redeemer, you bid us take up our cross and follow you. Give us insight and courage to follow in your way of the cross.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Christ our redeemer, you have carried our burdens and borne our sins. Give us repentant hearts and strengthen us as we struggle with the temptations ever present in our lives.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Christ our redeemer, make us ready to walk in your ways and encourage us to be invested the work of your kingdom. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
VI
A WOMAN WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

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

READINGS
Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." 
(Matthew 25:37, 41)

"Come," my heart says, "Seek his face!"
Your face Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me. 
(Psalm 27:8-9)

LET US PRAY.
God of the suffering, help us to see you in the faces of the homeless, the sick, the elderly, the abused, and the oppressed. Make us ready to serve them as we would gladly serve you.
Make your people holy, 0 Lord.
God of the suffering, console the afflicted, liberate the oppressed, feed the hungry, bind up the broken, and use us for this work.
Make your people holy, 0 Lord.
God of the suffering, be with those to whom death draws near. If they are in pain, give them patience and ease. Comfort them with the assurance of your presence. Take the fear from within us so that we may stay beside them. Keep your passion alive in our hearts. 
Amen.
VII
JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME

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

READINGS
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 
(Isaiah 53:4-6)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
Yet he did not open his mouth.
(Isaiah 53:7)

LET US PRAY.
Shepherd of the flock, like sheep we often go astray. Open our ears. Make us hear and heed your call.
Good Shepherd, keep us close to you.
Shepherd of the flock, you gave your life for your sheep. You know your own. Help us know you. Be with us always to guide and protect us.
Good Shepherd, keep us close to you.
Shepherd of the flock, when we wander away, you carry us back. When we fall, you bear us up. When we are wounded, you feel the pain. Let us do the same for one another. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
VIII
JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

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

READINGS
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'?"
(Luke23:27-31)

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachael is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more. 
(Jeremiah 31:15)

LET US PRAY.
O Hope of the grieving, even on your way to die you heard the weeping of the women and stopped to speak to them. Help us hear the cries of the suffering, the oppressed, and the outcast.
Lord, grant your people peace.
O Hope of the grieving, we pray for those who weep because their hearts are broken and their world has fallen apart.
Lord, grant your people peace.
O Hope of the sorrowing, we have found many ways to fracture our lives and our relationships. Heal our brokenness with your presence. Keep your passion alive in our hearts. 
Amen.
IX
JESUS FALLS A THIRD TIME

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

READINGS
In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; yet he cannot save himself?!"
(Mark 15:31)

I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard;
I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 
(Isaiah 50:6)

LET US PRAY.
Lord of love, you were taunted by the crowds. Make us willing to suffer ridicule for the sake of the gospel.
Make us bold in proclamation.
Lord of love, you died even for those who mocked you and did not know you were dying for them. Reveal to those who do not now believe in you the depth of your love for them.
Make us bold in proclamation.
Lord of love, heal your church. When its leaders are in error, correct them. When it makes a mockery of your message, reform it. When we fail to live as your chosen people, chasten us. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
X
JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS CLOTHING

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

READINGS
They took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." And that is what the soldiers did. 
(John 19:23b-25a)

I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me;
They divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.
(Psalm 22:17-18)

LET US PRAY.
Lord, we hide behind the fabric of our clothes, the windshields of our vehicles and the walls of our houses. We use them to make us appear powerful, or sophisticated, or chic. Help us know that you see us without trappings and you love us in spite of what we try to hide.
Help us see ourselves with your eyes, Lord.
Lord, we sometimes judge others by their appearance. Help us remember that you were ragged and dirty and bear when you died for us. Make us aware of our unfair judgements.
Help us see ourselves with your eyes, Lord.
Lord, there are many in our world from whom clothing, homes, and comfort have been taken by poverty, disaster or persecution. Inspire us to share joyfully of the abundance that you have given us. 
Amen.
XI
JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

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

READINGS
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.
(Luke 23:33)

When they look on the one whom they have pierced,
They shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child. 
(Zechariah 12: 10)

LET US PRAY.
Crucified One, you hung on the cross between two thieves and promised to remember the one who looked to you in faith. Remember us, 0 Lord, in your eternal kingdom.
Remember us good Lord.
Crucified One, on the cross you stretched out your arms in love. Grant us grace to stretch out our arms to a world hungry for your love.
Remember us good Lord.
Crucified One, our hearts are filled with grief as we picture the nails piercing your flesh, knowing that we in our sins are the ones wielding the hammer. Forgive us. Strengthen us   to resist temptation. Turn our lives around so that we grow in your image and   learn to walk in holiness and righteousness. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.

XII
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

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

READINGS
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was tom in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"
(Mark 15:33-39)

And being found in human form, he humbled himself
And became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. 
(Philippians 2:8)

LET US PRAY.
Christ our Lord, source of life and light, you died, sinless, on the cross in our place. Grant forgiveness and salvation to us, though we deserve only the punishment you bore.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ our Lord, by your suffering and death you broke down the walls of hatred that separate your people. Grant us courage to love those who seem different from ourselves.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ our Lord, by your death, you transformed your cross into a tree of life. Fill
us with hope in the face of death. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.


XIII
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND LAID IN THE ARMS OF HIS MOTHER

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

READINGS
Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, especially because that Sabbath was a day· of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the men who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
(John 19:31-34)

Here am I, the servant of the Lord;
Let it be with me according to your word. 
(Luke 1:38)

LET US PRAY.
Lamb of God, your blood purifies and redeems the world. Wash our robes in your crimson blood to make them white as snow.
Wash us and we will be clean.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us and grant us peace.
Wash us and we will be clean.
Lamb of God, you have given your own body and blood for our nourishment and salvation. Make us ever hungry for the sacrament, for only in you can we receive the forgiveness of our sin. Keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
XIV
JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

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

READINGS
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 tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
(Matthew 27:57-61)

For if we have been united with him in a death like his,
We will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 
(Romans 6:5)

LET US PRAY.
Son of the living God, you were buried in the earth like a seed that would blossom into eternal life. Help us to die to sin that we may rise to new life in you.
Lord, fill us with hope.
Son of the living God, you were the first to awake eternally from the sleep of death. Welcome those we love who have already passed through the gate of death.
Lord, fill us with hope.
Son of the living God, in our baptism we have shared in the power of your death and burial. We look with hopeful anticipation to the day when we will finally share in your resurrection to eternal life. Until that day, keep your passion alive in our hearts.
Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

We have walked the way of the cross. We remember the death Christ died. Having seen the price God paid for our lives, you are invited now to kneel and in body or spirit to confess to God and receive the assurance of forgiveness out of the love God has for us through Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, merciful Father: I, a troubled and penitent sinner, confess to you my sins and iniquities with which I have harmed my neighbor and alienated myself from you. For them all I justly deserve your punishment.
I am sorry for them. I repent of them, and I humbly pray for your boundless mercy.
Trusting in the love shown through the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, I now seek your grace. Grant me your Holy Spirit to change my ways, and bring me to life abundant. Amen.

Almighty God in his mercy has given his Son to die for us and forgives us all our sins. Through his Holy Spirit he cleanses us and gives us power to proclaim the mighty deeds of God who calls us out of darkness into the splendor of his light. Know then, that to you the forgiveness of all your
sins has been freely and fully given, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
LET US PRAY. 
0 God, our Father, by the cross of your Son you reconciled the world to yourself; enabling us to live in love and harmony. We thank and praise you for the forgiveness of sins and the precious gift of peace. Help us to forgive each other and to establish justice and concord throughout the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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, forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord has made you free. Go in peace.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Central Staff