Jesus Carries His Cross

The Stations of the Cross are a fourteen step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus’ final day on earth, which culminates in his death and burial. The fourteen devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of his last day, beginning with his condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as individuals move from station to station. The stations are commonly found in churches as a series of fourteen small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. At each station, individuals recall and meditate on a specific event from Jesus’ last day, specific prayers are recited, and then individuals move to the next station until all fourteen stations are complete.

This sermon series invites us into pilgrimage with Jesus. From his condemnation to his being laid in the tomb, we will sit before pictures—painted by words—that invite us to ponder Jesus’ last hours. Sitting, observing, and ultimately feeling, we will be encouraged to more deeplyexperience Jesus’ suffering, which we hope will evoke sorrow, compassion, and gratitude. Ultimately, it is our desire that by entering into the depths of Jesus’ despair, that longing for resurrection will be aroused and burst forth from within us as we begin to look past death to the hope of Easter life.

Jesus is Condemned to Death

The Stations of the Cross are a fourteen step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus’ final day on earth, which culminates in his death and burial. The fourteen devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of his last day, beginning with his condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as individuals move from station to station. The stations are commonly found in churches as a series of fourteen small icons or images. They can also appear in church yards arranged along paths. At each station, individuals recall and meditate on a specific event from Jesus’ last day, specific prayers are recited, and then individuals move to the next station until all fourteen stations are complete.

This sermon series invites us into pilgrimage with Jesus. From his condemnation to his being laid in the tomb, we will sit before pictures—painted by words—that invite us to ponder Jesus’ last hours. Sitting, observing, and ultimately feeling, we will be encouraged to more deeplyexperience Jesus’ suffering, which we hope will evoke sorrow, compassion, and gratitude. Ultimately, it is our desire that by entering into the depths of Jesus’ despair, that longing for resurrection will be aroused and burst forth from within us as we begin to look past death to the hope of Easter life.

Jesus & Peter, James, and John

Jesus conversed with tax collectors late at night, he visited the homes of those that the religious called “sinners,” and around a table on the night he was betrayed he broke bread and poured wine while declaring, “This is me, for you.” Sharing at Jesus’ common table reminds us that God sustains everything, includes everyone, and is drawing us all together to feast as one. This sermon series therefore intends to elevate our Christian vision of hospitality by pondering ancient stories that cast anti-hospitality and hospitality narratives. Our hope is that these stories awaken in us divine love that facilitates a way of living that recognizes God’s sustenance, makes room for others, and urges us toward generosity and self-giving.

Gomorrah & Caesarea

Jesus conversed with tax collectors late at night, he visited the homes of those that the religious called “sinners,” and around a table on the night he was betrayed he broke bread and poured wine while declaring, “This is me, for you.” Sharing at Jesus’ common table reminds us that God sustains everything, includes everyone, and is drawing us all together to feast as one. This sermon series therefore intends to elevate our Christian vision of hospitality by pondering ancient stories that cast anti-hospitality and hospitality narratives. Our hope is that these stories awaken in us divine love that facilitates a way of living that recognizes God’s sustenance, makes room for others, and urges us toward generosity and self-giving.

Ruth & Boaz

Jesus conversed with tax collectors late at night, he visited the homes of those that the religious called “sinners,” and around a table on the night he was betrayed he broke bread and poured wine while declaring, “This is me, for you.” Sharing at Jesus’ common table reminds us that God sustains everything, includes everyone, and is drawing us all together to feast as one. This sermon series therefore intends to elevate our Christian vision of hospitality by pondering ancient stories that cast anti-hospitality and hospitality narratives. Our hope is that these stories awaken in us divine love that facilitates a way of living that recognizes God’s sustenance, makes room for others, and urges us toward generosity and self-giving.