It’s the week before Easter, which means churches all over were reflecting on the last events of Jesus’ life on earth. We did the same…well, the same in a Water’s Edge way. Our angle was to think through the events from the perspective of the disciples. They had been so faithfully (although imperfectly) following Jesus and now things were just getting kind of crazy! I mean, can you imagine what they must have been thinking and feeling? Those dirty, tired feet of theirs had traveled a lot of ground to get them to Jerusalem – so we did our best to walk in those shoes for the night.
No band this week – just me and my guitar. We opened with “Here I am to Worship” and then John got up to share. He spoke for less than 10 minutes about what had been happening since Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem. About the triumphant entry with Palm branches waving; about the upset in the temple and Jesus’ teaching there; about the way the disciples kept insisting they would stand by Jesus’ side even to death. And then they slowed down and shared in the Passover Meal together. That’s where the talking stopped and the experience began.
We set up three stations.
One for communion: on our stage, where the band would normally be, we set up a long low table with cushions on the floor. On the table lots of pottery and candles – bread and juice. The scripture posted there for everyone to read was Luke 22:13-20. They were to recline at the tabel, imagine sitting there with the Son of God, knowing there was something dangerous around the corner, and receive the sign of the new covenant about to be made between God and humanity.
One for the footwashing:on both sides of our room we set up footwashing stations. 2 people on each side knelt before containers of warm soapy water ready to serve. The scripture to read at this station – John 13:4-17 Many people took us up on the opportunity to humbly receive such a personal and intimate blessing. Even those who weren’t comfortable enough to receive it were moved by the beauty of it.
And one station for the Garden: In the back of our room, on both sides, we set up some tables and chairs. Along the back side of the tables we created a “garden” out of plants we borrowed from a local nursery. The palms used in the morning services were laid out among them. On the front side there was a long strip of paper with markers, and candles to light it. The scripture to read – Matthew 26:36-43 People were invited to picture themselves, scared, worried, and sitting in that garden waiting for Jesus. What would they’re prayers have been? We asked them to write those prayers down on the sheet of paper and to imagine how helpless those disciples must have felt.
During the station time, there were several songs with videos going on our screen. One I bought, called “Are You Amazed?” The other songs had backgrounds we made: “Small Enough” by Nichole Nordeman and two by David Crowder Band “Oh God where are you now” and “The glory of it all”.
When the station time was over, we turned our attention back to the scripture. Using footage from “The Passion of the Christ” as a background, we heard the rest of the story: from Jesus’ arrest in the garden through his burrial in the tomb. It was a 12 minute piece of video that was very powerful. Following it I attempted to sing “Why” by Nichole Nordeman. This is an extraordinarily moving song for me. I only made it about half way before getting so choaked by emotion that I could barely sing. Eventually, I finished. I closed in prayer and we left in the darkness of that tomb.
I’ll add some pictures soon.
Here are our prayer requests this week:
(Anyone can ask for prayer, just let me know! You can talk to me or drop one of our prayer request cards in the worship space Drop Boxes.)
:: Jackie Anderson is going through another rough patch – pray for strength and patience, and now a new job.
:: Sonya Cooper’s Aunt – Mary – is home and feeling pretty good. Pray that she will continue to feel good as long as possible as her battle with cancer continues. She leaves for more treatment in Mexico on Easter Day.
:: Louise & Keith Kenney’s daughter in law – Michelle Kenney – has FINISHED her treatment for breast cancer and so far all is good!!! Keep praying for her and her family (husband and two kids)!
:: Pray for Lynn Kelly – she’s doing good, but still struggling with several recovery issues. Her sister-in-law also just had emergency surgery for cancer – her name is Susan.
