“I Am From…”

~ An original poem

I am from watercolor prairie sunsets,
sticky summer days and lightening bugs,
Freeze Tag and jump ropes, hide and seek,
dares and dibs and dizzying leaps from trees,
purple Kool-Aid, grass stains and bubble baths before bed.

I am from Saturday morning cartoons,
Tom and Jerry and Bugs Bunny and meep meep!
milk and cereal and styrofoamy marshmallow bits,
coloring books and half-peeled crayons,
tangle-haired Barbies, Shrinky Dinks and Colorforms.

I am from Sunday church services and Wednesday youth group,
Christmas Eves by the Advent candles,
Easter egg hunts in the yard, noisy birthday parties,
sparklers and firecrackers and potato salad,
the Macy’s parade forever married to the smell of turkey.

I am from long, snaky roads slipping off into the flat forever,
amber waves of grain, tornadoes and lightening storms,
crickets and cicadas and mosquitoes,
fat, heavy rains that rolled through the night,
prayers for snow days answered with drifts up to my waist.

I am from the simple, the basic, the alpha,
the Breadbasket, the Bible Belt, the most mid of the Midwest,
limestone and sand hills and chiggers and hay bales,
the flat land, the rich earth, the open sky.

I am from stern-faced women in aprons and weathered men on combines,
pink-cheeked pre-teens and robust babies,
fresh air and rhubarb stalks dipped in sugar,
tomatoes smooth and warm in the sun,
friendly neighbors and dandelioned lawns.

I am from daydreams and diary entries,
cassette tapes and ticket stubs,
hairspray and stonewashed denim, Benetton and Benatar,
pressed corsages and heartthrob posters,
tears on my pillow and wishes on the stars.

I am from a vast and rich beginning,
a life that will never end as I reach in and reach out
while my spirit both lifts and grounds me,
as I am growing and unfolding and becoming.

(Copyright 2015 by Christy Potter Kass)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Good Friday” ~ An Original Poem

Stations of the Cross
An interactive worship service for Holy Week

Station One: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Scripture: Matthew 26: 36-41

Reader: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Pastor: Lord, when our troubles threaten our peace of mind…

All: Grant us your strength and wisdom.

Pastor: Lord, when we feel frightened, overwhelmed, and alone, turn our eyes to Jesus in the garden, and help us to call on your strength, just as he did.

All: Help us to seek you in all things.

Station Two: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

Scripture: Mark 14: 43-46

Reader: Then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.

Pastor: Lord, when we feel betrayed by those we love…

All: Grant us the courage of our convictions.

Pastor: And Lord, when we witness a wrong being done to someone else…

All: Grant us the courage to speak up for your children with the same love you showed to us.

Station Three: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

Scripture: Luke 22: 66-71

Reader: When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Pastor: Lord, we live in a world that is unjust. All around us are corrupt leaders, and people who are only looking out for themselves. All around us, we see people being treated unfairly, even cruelly.

All: Give us your sense of righteousness so that we will work tirelessly to bring about the justice of the kingdom you promised.

Pastor: Lord, help us to see you in the face of every person who is mistreated, abused, and persecuted, because they ARE you.

All: Open our eyes to how we can help our hurting world, and your hurting children.

Station Four: Jesus is Denied by Peter

Scripture: Matthew 26: 69-75

Reader: Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

Pastor: Lord, we confess that sometimes it’s difficult to speak the truth, especially if we are worried that it might get us into trouble.

All: Grant us the gift of honesty, that we may not be afraid to speak the truth, even when it’s difficult.

Pastor: Lord, let us never be afraid to tell people that we are Christians, that we are followers of Christ, and that we stand for all that is right, just, and loving.

All: Help us to remember that you told us we would be persecuted for your sake. Help us to draw strength from what it means to be your disciples.

Station Five: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

Scripture: Mark 15: 1-5, 15

Reader: The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed…. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas… and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Pastor: Lord, when we look around us and see a world that needs you, but keeps rejecting you…

All: Help us to continue to spread your word and shine your light even into the darkest corners.

Pastor: Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.All: Helps us to always keep our eyes on you, remembering who you and, and whose we are.

Station Six: Jesus is Beaten and Crowned with Thorns

Scripture: John 19: 1-3

Reader: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him beaten. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,”Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly.

Pastor: Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering, that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise.

All: Help us to never forget the price you paid for our sins, and the gift God gave to us by sending His Son to earth.

Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross

Scripture: John 19: 6, 15-17

Reader: When the chief priests and the guards saw Jesus they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” … They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.

Pastor: O God, there are so many times when our own crosses feel so heavy. The cares and the troubles of our own lives and the world around us are almost too much to bear.

All: Lord, grant us strength of purpose, that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.

Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

Scripture: March 15:21

Reader: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

Pastor: Lord, there are times when we admit that it is so hard to be your hands and feet in the world. Sometimes it’s easy, when people are open and receptive to us. But other times, it’s hard, when people are hostile and angry.

All: Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth.

Pastor: Let us remember that our help, our encouragement, is one of the greatest gifts we can offer to those around us.

All: Give us hearts willing to reach out to others in love, with a gracious and caring spirit that will show your love and mercy to all.

Ninth Station: Jesus Meets Women of Jerusalem

Scripture: Luke 23: 27-31

Reader: A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?”

Pastor: Lord, there are times when we mourn just as the women with you mourned. There are times when those around us mourn, and we want to offer comfort but aren’t always sure what to say.

All: Dear God, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn.

Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified

Scripture: Luke 23: 33-34

Reader: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Pastor: Our Lord, this is one of the most difficult passages in scripture for us to understand. We live in a world that encourages us to give as good as we get, to fight back, to nurse grudges.

All: We ask you to give us hearts of love and mercy, so we can share your gifts of reconciliation and forgiveness to everyone.

Pastor: Forgiveness sounds like a wonderful idea, at least until we have something or someone to forgive. Help us to remember your words on the cross as you died after the ultimate betrayal.

All: And help us to forgive, just as God has forgiven us.

Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to a Thief

Scripture: Luke 23: 39-43

Reader: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Pastor: Lord, let us draw strength from the story of the thief on the cross, who turned to you in his last moments of life with the realization that it was not too late to seek you.

All: Lord, let us never stop seeking you, no matter what life throws at us.

Pastor: And Lord God, help us to always extend the hand of mercy and forgiveness and love to those who seek  you.

All: Everyone who is living in a beloved child of God. Help us to remember that no one is ever beyond your love and redemption.

Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

Scripture: John 19: 25-27

Reader: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Pastor: Even in the moments before your death, O Lord, you took care of others in your great love and mercy.

All: Lord, please give us hearts full of love, kindness, and genuine concern for others. Make us willing to stand by those who are in need.

Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Scripture: Luke 23: 44-46

Reader: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And when he had said this he breathed his last.

Pastor: Dear God, this passage of scripture never fails to make our hearts ache. We know you were grieving in those moments as well, as your son died on that cross.

All: Lord, help us to draw strength from your last words, knowing that when our own end comes, our spirits will be coming home to you.

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

Scripture: Matthew 27: 57-60

Reader: When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.

Pastor: Lord, there is a lesson of love and servitude in what Joseph of Arimathea did with your body after your death. Just as you served others during your time on earth, Joseph selflessly served you after you breathed your last.

All:  Dear Lord, grant us your compassion that we may always provide for those in need.

Closing Prayer

Pastor:

Lord Jesus Christ,

As we have spent this evening

Reflecting on the sacrifice you  made for us

That day on the cross, driven deep into the soil of Golgatha,

Help us to remember that the price you paid

Unites earth and heaven,

And reconciles all of us to you.

And Lord, help us to always remember

That we are your disciples, your apostles,

That we are your hands and feet on earth

Until you come again.

Help us to follow fearlessly in your footsteps

So that we may one day share your glory in heaven,

where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

for ever and ever.

All: Amen