Here are some files that will enable you to use the service, there is a Materials and media list ODT File list, and you will need the PDF art file to make the Stained Glass Window outlines. The service booklets are here A5 PDF Booklet and A5 ODT Booklet Enjoy.

In this service we met in the hall below first. We then created these “Stations of the Cross.” Each station was cut into a big black piece of cardboard ahead of time. The black then served as the stained glass window outline. People then used the media given to them at each table to make a background to go behind each window. These were then literally put up against our worship space windows, so that they were lit from behind. It took about 15 minutes to decorate/create the backgrounds. All the preparation and trial and error was done ahead of time, so that the leaders could guide the people in how to efficiently create a background. They were given their scripture, and instructions on how to use their media. Once complete, they took it upstairs, and used BlueTack to stick it to the window. When everyone was gathered, the service continued. First off a group member read the scripture. Another then explained what they had used, and any meaning behind their artistic impression. Make sure the group doing window one are the most creative people available, so that they can mentor good explanation of their artwork to the congregation.

The artwork concept came from the Stations of the Cross by John Drawbridge at the Sisters of Compassion. Nick and Steph Brook adapted,expanded and modified the original concept. We moved from the original Roman Catholic version, so that we could do a more protestant version, without Veronica, and without Jesus falling. The PDF artwork is the work of Nick Brook.

Once prepared, the stations were decorated at the 9:30 service. They were given colour and texture:

– glitter on duraseal
– feathers on duraseal
– water based paint on butcher paper (dried with a heat gun)
– grated crayon, melted with an iron
– coffee filters, coloured with died water and food colouring (and dried with a hair dryer)
– pastels
– doilees
– fine felt tips to make a pattern on paper
– water colours
– pressed flower petals
– vivids on tinfoil
– tissue paper on duraseal

Durasel was used to over the back of most, to keep things clean and neat. Each art piece covered a window. The windows and doors not used were blacked out with black curtains, so it looked like one great big “light box.”

Welcome and Opening prayer

Song

Stay with me, remain here with me. Watch and pray, watch and pray. (Repeat x3)

[01] JESUS PRAYS ALONE

Matt 26: 36-46 JESUS PRAYS

Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”

Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by making me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”

He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”

Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”

Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.

Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.

Thought

Jesus said: “I no longer call you servants but friends.”

Being a friend can be hard work at times, our friends can expect a lot of us, sometimes more than we want to give; especially when we are tired.

When have you been a friend to someone when you were really tired? When have you gone the extra mile?When have you been a friend to someone, when others were being horrible to them?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you needed friends, and we need friends. Help us to be kind and gentle to each other. Help us to value long term friendship; and give us the grace to help those friendships grow.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[02] JESUS IS BETRAYED AND ARRESTED

Matt 26: 47-56 JESUS IS ARRESTED

Jesus was still speaking when Judas the betrayer came up. He was one of the twelve disciples, and a large mob armed with swords and clubs was with him. They had been sent by the chief priests and the nation’s leaders. Judas had told them beforehand, “Arrest the man I greet with a kiss.” Judas walked right up to Jesus and said, “Hello, teachers.” Then Judas kissed him. Jesus replied, “My friend, why are you here?” The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him. One of Jesus’ followers pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut of his ear.

But Jesus told him, “Put your sword away. Anyone who lives by fighting will die by fighting. Don’t you know that I could ask my Father, and straight away he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? But then, how could the words of the Scriptures come true, which say that this must happen?”

Jesus said to the mob, “Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like a criminal? Day after day I sat and taught in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But all this happened, so that what the prophets wrote would come true.” All Jesus’ disciples left him ran away.

Thought

Some people know what is it to not accepted by their community – the disabled, the unwanted, the poor. Those who others have washed their hands of. Jesus’ life was one of service to them.

Who have I been unkind to, or not included? Those who don’t learn as quickly as me, who are unpopular, who want to play other games, who are different to me? Can I see Christ in them? Wouldn’t Jesus have embraced them?

Prayer:

Lord we ask you to give us the gift of kindness; never to condemn anyone around us, seeing God in everyone.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[03] PETER’S DENIAL/SANHEDRIN CONDEMN JESUS TO DIE

JOHN 18:15-27

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple knew the high priest and he followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest’s house. Peter stayed outside near the gate. But the other disciple came back out and spoke to the girl at the gate. She let Peter go in, but asked him, “Aren’t you one of that man’s followers?”

“No, I am not!” Peter answered. It was cold, and the servants and temple police had made a charcoal fire. They were warming themselves around it, when Peter went over and stood near the fire to warm himself.

The high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching. But Jesus told him, “I have spoken freely in front of everyone. And I have always taught in our meeting places in the temple, where all our people come together. I have not said anything in secret. Why are you questioning me? Why don’t you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said.”

As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, “That’s no way to talk to the high priest!”

Jesus answered, “If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?” Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest.

While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself, someone asked him, “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ followers?” Again Peter denied it and said, “No, I am not!”

One of the high priest’s servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with that man?” Once more Peter denied it, and at once a cock crowed.

Thought

Jesus’ best friend left him. He pretended not to be his friend when Jesus needed one.
Have you ignored a friend? Have you gone and been friends with someone else instead of them?
Or has someone done this to you? Friendships are hard.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you needed friends, and we need friends. Help us to be kind and gentle to each other. Help us to value long term friendship; and give us the grace to help those friendships grow.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[04] PILATE CONDEMNS JESUS TO DIE

Matt 27: 15-26 THE DEATH SENTENCE

During Passover the governor always freed a prisoner chosen by the people. At that time a well-known terrorist named Jesus Barabbas was in jail. So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, “Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous.

While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him.”

But the chief priests and the leaders convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be killed. Pilate asked the crowd again, “Which of these two men do you want me to set free?”

“Barabbas!” they replied.

Pilate asked them, “What am I to do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?” They all yelled, “Nail him to a cross!” Pilate answered, “But what crime has he done?” “Nail him to a cross!” they yelled even louder.

Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, “I won’t have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!”

Everyone answered, “We and our own families will take the blame for his death!”

Pilate set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and nail him to a cross.

Thought

Jesus had many things said about him which weren’t true. He had to endure these false accusations for years.

When have I lied about someone or something? Have I sought forgiveness from them and God?
When has someone said something false about me? Have I offered them forgiveness?
When have I seen something happen that is not right, and stood aside and not said anything?

Prayer:

Lord, we ask you to give us strength to be truth-bearers, give us courage, grace, determination and gentleness in being people of truth in the world.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[05] JESUS SCOURGED, BEATEN, CROWN OF THORNS

Matt 27:27-30 SOLDIERS MAKE FUN OF JESUS

The governor’s soldiers led Jesus into the fortress and brought together the rest of the troops. They stripped off Jesus’ clothes and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head, and the put a stick in his right hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. They made fun of him and shouted, “Hey, you king of the Jews!” Then they spat on him. They took the stick from him and beat him on the head with it.

Thought

Jesus was stripped of his clothes and was naked. He was stripped of his dignity. Yet Jesus saw beauty and worth in everyone, including those nailed to the crosses beside himself.

Do I recognise everyone’s dignity as a child of God? Do I judge people in different ways? Do I like to surround myself with those who seem more popular or “cool”? Do I remember that Christ was despised and humiliated for me?

Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember your teaching about caring for everyone. When we give help, support, and love to the least in our communities, we are serving you.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[06] JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

l

Matt 27:31 JESUS IS NAILED TO A CROSS

When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him led him off to be nailed to a cross.

Thought

Jesus had many crosses to bear – the disapproval of his mother and family; the disapproval of the religious and secular leaders; the betrayal of friends, and more. But he devoted himself to lightening the crosses that others had to bear.

Do I struggle under the weight of my own crosses, the things that I find hard? Where do I draw strength to carry on?

Prayer:

Lord, we ask you to give us strength to carry on when life is hard. May we use your example to encourage us to be strong.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[07] SIMON HELPS TO CARRY THE CROSS

Matt 27:32-34

On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. There they gave Jesus some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it was, he refused to drink it.

Thought

Can I use my experience and my gifts to help others and lighten their loads? Do I look for opportunities to help those who are struggling? When I die and people come to my funeral, will they say I helped people? Likewise, will I allow myself to be helped? Will I ask for help?

Prayer:

Lord we thank you for the gifts you have given us. We ask you to help us see those who are suffering in our playground and in our community. May we be more like the Good Samaritan and less like the Levite who turned away.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[08] JESUS SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

Luke 23:27-31

A large crowd was following Jesus, and in the crowd a lot of women were crying and weeping for him. Jesus turned to the women and said: Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me! Cry for yourselves and for your children. Some day people will say, “Women who never had children are really fortunate!” At that time everyone will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” They will say to the hills, “Hide us!” If this can happen when the wood is green, what do you think will happen when it is dry?

Thought

The women were faithful. They did not run away and hide. They were there at the foot of the Cross, in the hardest of times. They conquered their fear and stayed with Jesus. Would I have stayed with Jesus? Will I give up my life to devote myself to the poor and needy?

Prayer:

We pray for the gift of faith, of steadfastness, of loyalty. May the women at the foot of the Cross remind us that resurrection always follows death.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[9] JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

Matt 27:35-37

The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes. Then they sat down to guard him. Above his head they put a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Thought

This is the most violent and shocking of the ‘Stations’. Are you scared or daunted by shocking situations? Who do you know who is excluded from their family or community that needs to be embraced and shown love?

Do I look away when someone is hurt or needs help? Can I open my heart and mind to those with the most suffering and not turn away?

Prayer:

Lord, help us to see the suffering around us and in the world. May we find many small ways that we can help and bring comfort, according to our gifts.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[10] CRIMINALS

Matt 27:38, Luke 23:39-43

The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.

One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!” But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man? We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!” Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”

Thought

Are there people who are beyond my forgiveness? Should I be forgiving them?

Jesus forgave the thief beside him, he also forgave those who crucified him.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to see the suffering around us and in the world. May we find many small ways that we can help and bring comfort, according to our gifts.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

Song

Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom
Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom (x3)

[11] JESUS CARES FOR HIS MOTHER

John 19:25-27

Jesus’ mother stood beside his cross with her sister and Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary Magdalene was standing there too. When Jesus saw his mother and his favourite disciple with her, he said to his mother, “This man is now your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “She is now your mother,” From then on, that disciple took her into his own home.

Thought

Mary gladly said “yes” to the call of God. She showed caring and faithfulness, and also strength, determination and loyalty. Mary’s life cannot have been easy. Do I turn to the example of Mary, knowing that she has experienced great sorrow? Do I let her accompany me and comfort me?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus may you give us strength to follow in your ways like your mother Mary. May you send the Holy Spirit to minister to us, to alleviate our sadness, regrets and disappointments.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[12] JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Matt 27:45-50 THE DEATH OF JESUS

At midday the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o’clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”

Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine, then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus. Others said, “Wait! Let’s see if Elijah will come and save him.” Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died.

Thought

Jesus showed us how much God loves us by dying for us. While we aren’t all called to die for our faith like the martyrs, will we give our life for God and God’s people?

What am I prepared to do for God and our faith? Do I give up when it is too hard? Do I try to follow the example of those who have dedicated their lives to God?

Prayer:

Lord, help us to dedicate our lives to you in everyday ways. Strengthen us when we feel criticised or left out because we choose to follow you. Help us to remember you love us always.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[13] JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

Luke 23:51-54

There was a man named Joseph, who was from Arimathea in Judea. Joseph was a good and honest man, and he was eager for God’s kingdom to come. He was also a member of the Jewish council, but he did not agree with what they had decided. Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that has been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Thought

How this was done? Was it done roughly, by the soldiers, glad that their work was finished, or was it done with gentleness, respecting the body of Christ? Hospice nurses know all about tenderness, nursing the dying and the incurable. Do I show gentleness and tenderness? Do I try to understand when others are sad? Do I treat others well every day?

Prayer:

We ask you for the gift of gentleness and tenderness, knowing that this is your way. Banish unkindness and judgement of others from our lives. Help other people to know you through our good example.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

[14] JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Matt 27:60-61

Then Joseph put the body in his own tomb that had been cut into solid rock and had never been used. He rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away. All this time Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb.

Thought

Now the time of surrender, of being at rest begins for Jesus. On the seventh day God rested from the work of creation. And you, the Son of God, rest and await the dawn of the eighth day when all will be made new—and we wait with you.

Joseph of Arimathea was brave enough to ask for the body of Christ. He had been a secret disciple, but now he was ready to declare his faith and loyalty.

Are we courageous; not afraid to be open about our love of God? Will we allow God’s love to turn us to action, to care for God’s people especially the most vulnerable and needy. How brave am I about showing my faith? Do I show God’s love to others, by what I do and how I treat others?

Prayer:

Lord, we ask you for the gift of courage. May our love for you shine forth in our lives, drawing people to you by our joy.

Lord hear us E te Ariki

Lord hear our prayer Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou

Song – How deep the Father’s love for us

Blessing

Let us go now into today remembering that God died for us in Jesus. Let us remember the cost of the blessing that God gives to us unconditionally. And the blessing of: God the creator, God the redeemer and God the life giving Spirit be with you and all who you love today and always. Amen.