Apr-06

Pastor's Message

Dear Parish Family,

For several years now, Stations of the Cross has been a part of our Lenten worship. In Latin, this compelling devotional is known as Via Crucis, Way of the Cross. The liturgy consists of fourteen stations, or places in the Church, where a text of Scriptures is read and prayer is offered. Eight of the stations are events recorded in the Passion narrative of the Gospels and six derive from tradition. The Stabat Mater, "At the cross, her station keeping, Stood the mournful mother weeping, Hymn 110 in the Lutheran Book of Worship, is often sung in association with Stations. The practice began in Jerusalem, where pilgrims would go to certain traditional sites on the Via Dolorosa, Way of Sorrows, Jesus' journey to the cross, and pray. The practice eventually spread to the parishes of the Western Church.

Stations is usually observed on Fridays especially in Lent, though we have scheduled the service on the Wednesday before Holy Week (April 5 at 6:30 P.M.). This year Stations especially designed for children will be held during Supper Club on Sunday, March 26.

Members of the Society of Saint Benedict have prepared the Roman numerals and pictures which mark each Station. The practice of Stations is found in the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches. Like many Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches, some Lutheran churches have permanent plaques in the sanctuary marking each station.
Stations is a powerful devotional. Consider attending on April 5 or, if you have small children, on March 26.

The last station is Christ being placed in the tomb. Beyond this event are the empty tomb and resurrection of Christ As we approach Easter, let us reflect on the holy mystery of Christ's death and resurrection and prepare ourselves for the solemnity of Holy Week and the joy of Easter, when Alleluia will again burst forth from the faithful.

(Some information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Stations of the Cross; and The Way of the Cross, Church Publishing Inc., New York, 1987.)
 

In Christ,

Pastor Mike and Mandy