Washington County Walk of the Cross

WASHINGTON COUNTY WALK OF THE CROSS

Good Friday April 14, 2017

Welcome to the Walk of the Cross. The Walk is a one-mile Ecumenical pilgrimage through downtown Beaverton, with stops at several different “stations.” Each station examines a different aspect of Life, Peace and Justice through Scripture, personal witness and prayer.

Representatives from various congregations will lead us at each station. Walking between the stations, participants carry a large cross to remind us of the cross that Christ carried over 2000 years ago and which is still being carried today. We invite you to help carry the cross, if you feel so inspired, by joining at the cross when your congregation is announced. Christians from every denomination are invited to join us for the Walk and to reflect together on how we can better understand and carry out Christ’s mission of Peace and Justice in our day.

Please join in response to the prayer leader with “WE THANK YOU, LORD,” “O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER,” or “O LORD, WE WANT TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS,” as indicated in the program. You are also invited to join in the singing as we walk between stations.

May Christ’s Peace be in your heart!

We journey to Easter!

Gathering – Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ, 5150 SW Watson Ave.

Instrumental Music – Owen Hofmann-Smith, Cello and Director of Music Bethel UCC

Welcome – Rev. David Randall-Bodman, Sr. Minister – Bethel UCC

We are honored to host the gathering of this ecumenical Good Friday walk of the cross. As we worship and walk together we will be aware of our similarities and our differences – in music, culture, language and even some of our religious beliefs. Our diversity is a gift – we have much to learn from each other. We have been intentional this year in our planning to balance Protestant and Catholic beliefs and traditions. Our hope is that this experience will connect you with the whole Body of Christ and deepen your appreciation for your own and others’ ways of following Jesus.

Amazing Grace Owen Hofmann-Smith, pianist

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Call to Worship and Petitions: Rev. David Randall-Bodman

We have gathered here to proclaim the cross of Christ. The suffering it represents unites us with God and with one another.

WE TAKE UP OUR CROSS TO FOLLOW OUR LORD

Jesus carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem on this day long ago.

TODAY WE CARRY OUR CROSS THROUGH THE STREETS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

The streets we will walk today look different from ancient Jerusalem, but the issues of prejudice, power, fear and hard-heartedness that create social injustice are still with us.

WE LIFT THIS CROSS OF SUFFERING TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS THE CHRIST IS RECONCILING US TO GOD AND EACH OTHER.

We walk together today, in a spirit of lament. As we face the brokenness of our city, we can feel a sense of despair. Will God’s will ever be done here on earth as it is in heaven?

TODAY IS GOOD FRIDAY BECAUSE EVEN SUFFERING AND DEATH CANNOT CRUSH HOPE.

God's reconciling act in Jesus Christ has turned sorrow into joy…

HEAR OUR PRAYERS, OUR STORIES, AND HEAL OUR WORLD, 0 GOD.

Scripture: John 19:14-18

Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and it was about noon. He said to the people, "Here is your King!" They cried out, "Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him! Pilate asked them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but the emperor." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is Golgotha.

LET THE COMMUNITY OF BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TAKE UP THE CROSS

Ken Bussell, office manager, Rowland French and Carolyn Rundorff will carry the cross.

Processional Song: Were You There?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Station 1: Jesus prays in the garden (Bethel Congregational peace pole)
Theme: Jesus offers a “manual” for peacemaking in the Sermon on the Mount

Tema: Jesús ofrece un "manual" para la pacificación en el Sermón del Monte

Scripture: Mt 5: 3-10

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection by BernadettaDevlaeminck, Spirit of Grace Lutheran and Catholic Community

In his message for the 50th World Day of Peace, January 2017, Pope Francis asks”…may nonviolence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our actions, and indeed of political life in all its forms.”…. “Violence is not the cure for our broken world. Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migrations and enormous suffering, because vast amounts of resources are diverted to military ends and away from the everyday needs…”

“Jesus himself lived in violent times.”... “He taught his disciples to love their enemies … He told Peter to put away his sword." Pope Francis continues “I emphatically reaffirm that “no religion is terrorist”. ... Let us never tire of repeating: “The name of God cannot be used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!”

“If violence has its source in the human heart, then it is fundamental that nonviolence be practiced before all else within families.”...”I plead for disarmament and for the prohibition and abolition of nuclear weapons… I plead with equal urgency for an end to domestic violence and to the abuse of women and children.”

”Active nonviolence is a way of showing that unity is truly more powerful and more fruitful than conflict. Everything in the world is inter-connected.”...”I pledge the assistance of the Church in every effort to build peace through active and creative nonviolence.”

Prayer: Gracious God we know that you desire us to provide a nonviolent witness to the world. We thank you for this time when we come together for peace and justice. WE THANK YOU, LORD

Petitions: We ask your protection and aid for the refugees and immigrants who are fleeing violence. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

We pray for all those who are persecuted because of their nationality, skin color, or religious beliefs. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

We pray that you will help us to remove the violence from our own hearts, speech, and actions.

O LORD, HELP US TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS

LET THE MURRAY HILLS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY and SPIRIT OF GRACE COMMUNITY TAKE UP THE CROSS

Song: Vengan a la Cruz, Adoremos (Repeat as needed)

Station 2: Pilate Condemns Jesus to Die(Veterans Memorial Park)
Theme: If you want peace, work for justice

Tema: Si quieres la paz trabaja por la justicia

Scripture: Luke 23:2-5

“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 Barabbas ... [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.”

Reflection by Rev. Karyn Dix, Murray Hills Christian Church:

The Veterans Memorial Park pays tribute to all veterans of all our Wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. We pause and honor our veterans as we remember the sacrifices they have made. We recognize the debt we owe to those who put their lives in harm’s way; we also recognize the part we play in the need for those sacrifices.

Let us acknowledge our history of resolving conflict with aggression; fear with violence. Let us admit we find it easier to respond with violence than take the longer, harder road to peace and understanding.

Pope Paul VI said, "if you want peace, work for justice."

We understand that true justice work is hard. It requires us to put aside our judgments, to accept different beliefs and different ways of living. True justice requires us to forgive instead of retaliating with violence. Justice and Forgivness are the road to peace. A lasting peace that brings healing and wholeness to the world. Not just safety for a few. May we seek this path of justice so that all may live in lasting peace.

Prayer: We thank you for making us all in your image; sisters and brothers in Christ.
WE THANK YOU, LORD

Petitions: We pray that people throughout the world work for the lasting peace that comes only with justice for all people. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

We pray for the courage to stand for peace and work for justice for all.

O LORD, WE WANT TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS

LET THE SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY AND TAKE UP THE CROSS

Song: Jesus Remember Me (Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.) (Repeat as needed)

Station 3: Jesus Accepts His Cross (Peace Vigil)

Theme: We are all one in Christ Jesus

Tema: Todos somos uno en Cristo Jesús

Scripture: Galatians 3:28: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection by Rev. John Schuck, Southminster Presbyterian Church

In a recent study by Investigate West and the Pamplin Media Group it was reported that

“In Multnomah County, ticket by ticket, arrest by arrest, African-Americans are charged three to 30 times as often as white residents for everything from pedestrian and transit fare violations to drug charges and crimes related to interactions with police. For black people in Multnomah County, unequal treatment in the criminal justice system is nothing new.

Lauretta Reye Austin, 22, described being hassled by a cop while waiting at a MAX station.

TeressaRaiford, 46, and a leader of Don’t Shoot PDX, said it was only after talking to white girls that she learned police didn’t know all young kids by name — just the black kids.”

“We are all one in Christ Jesus.” Is that a statement of reality or a promise of what can be?

We are not one…

when more African-American men are in prison than college,

when people of color are targeted by police for arrests of petty crimes more than white people,

when people of color are more likely to be killed by police than white people,

when people of color experience a higher rate of poverty than white people,

when white people don’t understand that they benefit materially from institutionalized racism.

Racism is real. Racism is America’s original sin. Racism is America’s cross.

Yet redemption is possible. May we be honest with ourselves and with others about how the sin of racism distorts our lives as individuals and as a society and may we find the courage of heart to dismantle it.

Petitions: Spirit of unity, Open our eyes to see our common humanity.

Spirit of honesty, Open our hearts to the truth about ourselves and others.

Spirit of compassion, Open our ears to listen to the experience of those who suffer.

Spirit of strength, Empower our minds and bodies to be living witnesses to Christ’s love and justice.

LET THE CEDAR HILLS UCC COMMUNITY TAKE UP THE CROSS

Song: Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Repeat as needed)

Station 4: Simon helps Jesus to carry his cross (Fountains)

Theme: The truth shall set you free

Tema: La verdadteharálibre

Scripture: John 8:32

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Psalm 45:4

“In your majesty ride forth victoriously

In the cause of truth, humility and justice;

Let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.”

Reflection by the Mission Team, Cedar Hills United Church of Christ:

The prophets and the Psalms repeatedly call for action based on truth - truth about God and God’s will. And the truths that they talk about relate to common issues today: care about the homeless, the hungry, the refugees. And there is an additional truth at stake in our world - knowledge based on knowledge and accurate data about a conditions in the world. Beyond our normal social justice work, we face an issue of looking for accuracy in what we portray and what we ask others to present. We cannot let our values lead us to over or underplay the issues in current society. We cannot afford to merely talk to others like us, to count on our social media friends for the full truth of a situation. We need to understand those who oppose us and work towards a common discussion that helps us all find the truth in situations - facts, the science, and the emotional truths that we all hold.

Prayer: Holy God, let us set our agenda to find and speak the truth and to understand that even those we challenge have truths of their own. Help us to find and share the common truth that lets us move on towards your loving world. WE THANK YOU, LORD

Petitions: We pray for wisdom and courage to develop connections with those who disagree with us and with our “facts”. Guide us in creating relationships that allow for thoughtful discussions.

O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

May we remove our masks and willingly accept the truths that have often been our crosses to bear. OGOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER

Dear God, We are so often sure we know that we are right and they are wrong. We believe that we have the facts and the truth. Help us to be less certain and more merciful as we try to walk with others. OPEN OUR EYES, O LORD, AND HELP US TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS

LET THE HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TAKE UP THE CROSS

Song: Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? (Repeat as needed)

Station 5: Jesus Speaks to the Women (Farmers’ Market)

Theme: We honor creation when we honor our sisters

Tema: Honramos la creacióncuandohonramos a nuestroshermanas

Scripture: Luke 23:28-31

“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.’”

Reflection by Alejandro Tecum of Adelante Mujeres:

Sadly, women are overly represented in the ranks of the poor. Women account for 70% of the world’s population living on only $1 per day. And yet, when given the tools and resources for success, they represent the key to health and well-being in families around the world. Their instinct to nurture and protect will benefit whole communities and change their destinies.

Adelante Mujeres educates and empowers Latina women and their families through holistic programs that ensure their full participation and active leadership in the community. It strives to advocate ecological awareness and action for a sustainable economy and healthy communities.

At Adelante Mujeres, Latina women and their families grow healthy and nutritious food that restores the spiritual meaning of food production: respect and care of nature.

Their families eat the healthy food they grow. The surplus crops are sold at Farmers’ Markets. This gives the community the opportunity to also enjoy nutritious food. Farmers’ Markets also give women, immigrants, and farmers a chance to earn more than $1 per day.