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A passionate journey

For use on Passion Sunday

© The Rev Roger L D Wiig

 

On moving into an English parish I found that they had a “tradition” of presenting in worship symbols each Sunday in Lent to link the Christmas Tree with the cross. Of course they only told me of this “tradition” when we were already in Lent.  So I decided to see if I could write something that could be used on Passion Sunday picking up the use of some of the symbols of passion and making a connection between the Christmas tree and the cross.

Fortunately the Christmas tree was still out the back. The scouts cut off the dried and dead branches and then cut off the top quarter of the trunk and, using their fancy knots, tied it across the trunk to form a cross.

I recruited some readers one of whom pointed out a poem framed on the wall of one of the rooms in the hall. It was right on the theme and had been written by a former member. With appropriate permission from the Stewards (the poet had died some years before and had left the framed version of the poem to the congregation), I incorporated the poem. The poem “Guardian trees o’er Bethlehem’s stable” may be used in the context of this service.

Characters:

Reader 1
Reader 2
Oil Carrier 
Palm Branch Carrier
Money Bag Carrier
Water Carrier
Towel Carrier
Woman
Person 1
Person 2
Person 3
Peter
Whip Carrier
Robe Carrier
Crown Carrier
Nail Carrier

Each of the “Carriers” at the appropriate time lays on a table in front of the “Christmas Tree” Cross their symbol. On the table there is also a gold cross. When the Offering is brought forward, bread and wine are also presented.

An order of service was prepared that contained only enough of the text to enable the congregation to read the written responses. Music was used under copyright licence.

(The reading begins at the door to the church. As they read the two readers move slowly forward down the aisle)

R: Tell me Isaiah, You are looking for someone to lead us, who are you expecting?

R2: I look back and into the future and see a servant figure who grew up like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with afirmity; and as one from whom others hid their faces he was despised and we held him of no account.

Surely he has born our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

(Readers move one to lectern and the other to the pulpit.)

R: It all began with a woman and an angel, or so the story goes.

R2: It all began with God.

R: And God’s desire that we should know that the whole world is enfolded in love:

R2: That it is grace that holds us,

R: Love that nurtures us,

R2: Littleness that is to be valued,

R: Humanity that is to be honoured.

R2: It all began with a journey to Bethlehem and a young woman and her husband seeking shelter from the winter winds to give birth to their first child.
And two thousand years on we give thanks for the birth of the child.

R: We celebrate the birth for we have seen in that child God coming to dwell with us.

R2: And each year we celebrate with trees and presents and laughter and love.

R: And there’s beauty on the tree and beauty all around and we give thanks.
Let us pray:
All holy God, to you we give thanks for you have stamped your image upon us and valued our humanity by joining us in the struggle for life; and you have shown us a way to live. It is the way of self-giving, of sacrifice, of risking, not shyness or withdrawal, but confidence and strength. It is a costly way and so we pray, walk with us this day Lord God, that we might not only know how it all began and how it all ends, but how your power brings new life as pure gift. In the name of Jesus, the passionate one, crucified and risen, whom we follow. Amen.

Hymn “We sing the praise of him who died…”

R: And the tree

R2: The tree

R: The tree

R2: Decorated with bright lights is also the tree of the cross.

R: Guardian trees o’er Bethlehem’s stable
leafless and stark,
with moonbeams sifting through twisted branches
on frosted bark.
Wood of a tree sets me a-wonder
at all our gain or loss,
for of wood at Christmas came a cradle,
and at Calvary a cross.

Eager youth in the shed at Nazareth
plying his plane;
did he read man’s lot in the stubborn knot
and the seemly grain?
Wood of a tree sets me a-wonder
at parable unborn,
for of wood they made the supper table and the crown of thorn.

“From your sycamore tree come down, Zacchaeus,
I’ll be your guest;
Soon shall you climb the Tree of Life
and scorn the rest.”
Wood of a tree sets me a-wonder
At questions deep:
Must we ever curse the barren fig tree,
Or cherish and keep?

By crackling logs in the High Priest’s yard
Came the denial;
By another fire, near the lake at dawning,
Came faith’s retrial.
Wood of a tree sets me a-wonder
At our frail word,
Which at cock-crow says, “I never knew him”
And “I love thee, Lord.”

Solo: (Mission Praise 287)
I love thee Lord, and I lift my voice
to worship you. O my soul rejoice!
Take joy my king in what you hear
Let me be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

R2: Jesus was in the town of Bethany, eating at the home of Simon, who had leprosy. A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ head. (The oil carrier moves forward and pours a little oil on the gold cross) But when his disciples saw this they became angry and complained, “Why such waste? We could have sold this perfume for a lot of money and given it to the poor.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and he said:

R: “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. She has poured perfume on my body to prepare it for burial.”

(The “Oil Carrier” says:) “Jesus, receive this gift. Love is all I have — as sweet as this poured for you, and I give it gladly. (The oil is placed on the table.)

People: Would that we could give as openly, lovingly, generously, Lord. But we keep watching the cost and thinking of other places where our money might be spent. Forgive us Lord; turn us onto your passionate road.

Hymn “My song is love unknown…”

R: Jesus and his disciples reached Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives. When they were getting close to Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of them on ahead. He told them: “Go into the next village. As soon as you enter it you will find a donkey that has never been ridden. Untie the donkey and bring it here.”

R2: The disciples left and found the donkey tied near a door that faced the street…
They led the donkey to Jesus, put some of their clothes on its back, and Jesus got on. Many people spread clothes on the road, while others went to cut branches from the fields. (Palm branch carrier moves to front)

R: In front of Jesus and behind him, people went along shouting,
“Hosanna! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. God bless the coming kingdom of our ancestor David. Hooray for God in heaven above.”

(Palm branch carrier says:) Hosanna, Hosanna, hosanna in the highest. (And lays the branch on the table)

People: And we have our enthusiasms too Lord, and we want to welcome you and enjoy you and live in your loving way, but the pull of the world is strong and there are other things to do and then we forget. And so we pray, forgive us Lord; turn us onto your passionate road.

R2: Then Satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples.

R: Judas went to talk with the chief priests and the officers of the Temple police about how he could help them arrest Jesus. They were very pleased and offered to pay Judas some money. He agreed and started to look for a good chance to betray Jesus when the crowds were not around.

Money Bag carrier: Money makes the world go around. And thirty pieces of silver are thirty pieces of silver, a good reward for a loyal citizen. The world is changing and we need to hold onto the old ways, the old certainties, the forces of law and order. Thirty pieces for calm not chaos. (The money bag is placed on the table.)

People: And we can betray by doing what we think is best while we avoid listening to the heart and fail to do what we know would lead us on to a new life. And so we pray, forgive us Lord; turn us onto your passionate road.

Hymn “He came singing love…”

R: It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world and he loved them to the very end.

R2: Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. (Two people come forward, one carrying a large bowl of water, one a towel. The “bowl carrier” sits down, placing the bowl at his/her feet and removes his /her shoes. The “towel carrier” washes and dries the feet as the story is being read.) He put some water into a large bowl, then began washing his disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing.

(The bowl and towel are placed on the table) The “towel carrier” says: Servant God you have shown us how to care, how to serve, how to honour the gift of the humanity of the people we meet. Take our gifts and through your spirit give to us the humility of accepting love.

The Offering is taken up. The people stand and say:
We would be servants and risk the way of Christ. We would be your generous people serving and giving with freedom. And we would be your accepting people receiving the gifts given to us with thankfulness. As we give these gifts let your Spirit open our hearts to receive your love and care and give thanks for your amazing grace. Amen.

(When the people are seated the bread and wine are brought forward.  As the story is read the minister performs the actions.)

R2: During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body.”
Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and drink it. This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. From now on I am not going to drink any wine, until I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.” then they sang a hiymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Hymn “Teach us O loving heart of Christ…”
Teach us, 0 loving heart of Christ,
what only love can say:
"Father, forgive" and still forgive
the blindness of our way.

Torn is the world you came to save –
it bleeds from hands and side,
slow is your Church to bear the scars
where suffering love has died.

We have not healed our neighbour's hurt
nor learned our neighbour's tongue:
across the span of creed and race
your song is not yet sung

We have not found your way of peace
when lack of peace is death:
we have not fed with word or bread
the hunger of the earth.

Christ in whose hands were thrust the nails
and yet for us could pray -
forgive the things we have not done,
the words we do not say.

R: Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his disciples went with him. When they got there, he told them, “Pray that you won’t be tested.”
Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you will, please don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”
Then an angel came from heaven to help him. Jesus was in great pain and prayed so sincerely that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood.
He got up from praying and went over to his disciples. They were asleep and worn out from being so sad. He said to them, “Why are you asleep? Wake up and pray that you won’t be tested.”

R2: While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. It was led by Judas, one of the twelve apostles. He went over to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss.
Jesus asked Judas, “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

R: When Jesus’ disciples saw what was about to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we attack them with a sword?” One of the disciples even struck at the High Priest’s servant with his sword and cut off the servant’s right ear.
“Enough of that,” Jesus said. Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed it.

R2: Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the temple police, and the leaders who had come to arrest him. He said, “Why do you come out with swords and clubs and treat me like a criminal? I was with you every day in the Temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is your time and darkness is in control.”

R: Jesus was arrested and led away to the house of the high priest, while Peter followed at a distance. Some people built a fire in the middle of the courtyard and were sitting around it. (Four people come forward) Peter sat with them, and a servant girl saw him. Then after she had looked at him carefully, she said,

(Woman) “This man was with Jesus!”
Peter: “Woman, I don’t even know that man.”
A little later someone else saw Peter and said,

(Person 2) “You are one of them.”

Peter: “No I’m not”.

R2 About an hour later another man insisted:

Person 3: “This man must have been with Jesus. They both come from Galilee.”

Peter: “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

R2: Right then, while Peter was still talking, a rooster crowed.
The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said, “Before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you do not know me.”
Then Peter went out and cried hard.

Hymn (Congregation remain seated) One verse of  “He came singing love…”

R: The men who were guarding Jesus made fun of him and beat him. They put a blindfold on him and said, ”Tell us who struck you!” They kept on insulting Jesus in many other ways.

R2: That day the insults continued through the abuse of the legal system The Council of the nation responded to their prejudice and took him to the Roman governor, Pilate. There in the court of the foreign power that otherwise they would not have entered they started accusing him and said, “We caught this man trying to get our people to riot and stop paying taxes to the Emperor. He also claims that he is the Messiah, our king.”
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Those are your words,” Jesus answered.
Pilate told the chief priests and the crowd, “I don’t find him guilty of anything”.
But they all kept on saying, “He has been teaching and causing trouble all over Judea. He started in Galilee and has now come all the way here.”
When Pilate heard this he asked, “Is this man from Galilee?” After Pilate learned that Jesus came from the region ruled by Herod, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at the time.

R: For a long time Herod had wanted to see Jesus and was very happy because he finally had his chance. He had heard many things about Jesus and hoped to see him work a miracle.
Herod asked him a lot of questions, but Jesus didn’t answer. Then the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses stood up and accused him of all kinds of bad things.
Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends, even though they had been enemies before this.

R2: Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders and the people. He told them, “You brought Jesus to me and said he was a troublemaker. But I have questioned him here in front of you, and I have not found him guilty of anything that you say he has done. Herod didn’t find him guilty either and sent him back. This man doesn’t deserve to be put to death! I will just have him beaten with a whip and set free.”
But the whole crowd shouted, “Kill Jesus!”  “Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was in jail because he had started a riot in the city and had murdered someone.
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he spoke again to the crowds. But they kept shouting “Nail him to a cross. Nail him to a cross!”
Pilate spoke to them a third time, “But what crime has he done? I have not found him guilty of anything for which he should be put to death. I will have him beaten with a whip and set him free.”

The “whip carrier” says, “The whip, the whip, cutting cruelly into innocent flesh; flogging bent submissiveness. The crack, and crack, and crack met silence.” (The whip is placed on the table)

People: Lord there are times when we hold onto  power, expecting things to be done our way, expecting others to do what we want. Our desire for control can be cutting and cruel. Sometimes others can find our behaviour unthinking, uncaring. And so we pray, forgive us Lord; turn us onto your passionate road and help us to release into freedom the ones you love.

R: The governor’s soldiers led Jesus into the fortress (The “Robe Carrier” and the “Crown Carrier” come forward) and brought together the rest of the troops. They stripped off Jesus’ clothes and put a scarlet robe on him (The Purple cloth is draped over the arms of the cross.) They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head (The “crown” is placed on the cross) and they 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.

People: Words can be cruel. Actions can be destructive. Derision and cynicism can beat and destroy the soul. Forgive us Lord; turn us onto your passionate road.

R2: And the story continues

R: The passion story continues and Jesus is led away to be crucified.

R2: And there are passion plays that tell of those events.

R: But this is no play.

R2: He carries his cross to Golgotha and there is nailed to a cross.
Cruelty upon cruelty.

The “Nail Carrier” comes forward and says: “Was it the worst we could do Lord, nail you to a cross, hang you on cold, flesh-piercing iron? Was it the worst we could do? Or do we crucify you still with our unwillingness to honour others and treasure their humanity and be sensitive to their spirit?”

People: Passionate Lord, in living you have shown us how to live. In your death you inspire us to be strong. In your resurrection you gift us with hope. Lead us on Lord on your passionate journey.

Prayers of Intercession
Sung response is “O lord hear my prayer…”

Hymn “Lift high the cross…”

Final Prayer: Lord protect us from evil and help us to serve you from the fullness of our hearts.
Blessing Go in peace to love and serve the Lord wherever he is to be found in the brokenness of humanity. And the Blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life be upon you and remain in you this day and forever. Amen.