GOOD FRIDAY EVENT
This event takes place outside and inside and uses some activities from Experience Easter, and some from Experience Easter Outdoors. Churches who have done the outside stations (some have even done them in the snow!) recommend that you advise people in advance to come appropriately dressed!
If you want to buy copies of the Experience Packs, I have some for sale in the office or you can buy them from the Gloucester Diocese,
Follow the path of the cross – signposts.
Gathering
People needed:
Welcomer, introducer, explainer about how event works.
Someone to put together a powerpoint with some pictures and music which reflects Isaiah’s words.
Someone to act as guide and make sure that people know where to go next.
- Explanation of how the event works.
- Music and images from some of these verses – examples below.
53The people reply,
“Who would have believed what we now report?
Who could have seen theLord's hand in this?
2It was the will of theLordthat his servant
grow like a plant taking root in dry ground.
He had no dignity or beauty
to make us take notice of him.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing that would draw us to him.
3We despised him and rejected him;
he endured suffering and pain.
No one would even look at him—
we ignored him as if he were nothing.
4“But he endured the suffering that should have been ours,
the pain that we should have borne.
All the while we thought that his suffering
was punishment sent by God.
5But because of our sins he was wounded,
beaten because of the evil we did.
We are healed by the punishment he suffered,
made whole by the blows he received.
6All of us were like sheep that were lost,
each of us going his own way.
But theLordmade the punishment fall on him,
the punishment all of us deserved.
7“He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly;
he never said a word.
Like a lamb about to be slaughtered,
like a sheep about to be sheared,
he never said a word.
8He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die,
and no one cared about his fate.
He was put to death for the sins of our people.
9He was placed in a grave with those who are evil,
he was buried with the rich,
even though he had never committed a crime
or ever told a lie.”
10TheLordsays,
“It was my will that he should suffer;
his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness.
And so he will see his descendants;
he will live a long life,
and through him my purpose will succeed.
11After a life of suffering, he will again have joy;
he will know that he did not suffer in vain.
My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased,
will bear the punishment of many
and for his sake I will forgive them.
12And so I will give him a place of honor,
a place among the great and powerful.
He willingly gave his life
and shared the fate of evil men.
He took the place of many sinners
and prayed that they might be forgiven.”[a]
Allow people to move off immediately or stay for a while.
Go slowly and thoughtfully. There is no hurry – it does not matter if you don’t get to the end. Spend the time you need with each scene
For each station you will need a person to set up and make sure that all resources are there.
And a person to read introduction and help people with the activity.
INSIDE PALM SUNDAY – Hopes and Dreams (EE)inside – Write or draw on a stone the hopes and dreams that you have for your future.
INSIDESERVANT KING – Foot washing, (EE)prayer of St Teresa of Avila, mark hands with cross, serving others in ordinary ways.
INSIDETHE LAST SUPPER – Sharing a meal(EE)– inside – grapes and bread – something which helps you to remember a special time
OUTSIDEGETHSEMANE (EEO) – Alone – Hide 4 or 5 green plates amongst the plants. Make a plasticine model, shape or object to remind you of the time you were all alone like Jesus.
OUTSIDE THE COURTYARD(EEO)–Brazier, twigs to burn – Peter’s Denial, considering times when we have said and done things that let God down. Hold twig then put in brazier.
OUTSIDE GOLGOTHA(EEO)– 3 crosses, symbol of the cross. Use natural resources to make a cross – think about your life and the world and the forgiveness needed.
INSIDETHE CLOSED TOMB(EEO)– Table with drapes, greenery round, large stone, real or card in front of entrance. When did you/do you think that all hope is gone and that it’s not worth carrying on? Write words/feelings on large piece of paper. Needs to be somewhere it can stay until Sunday morning ( Open, light inside, folded cloths)
INSIDE REFRESHMENTS and CHAT ABOUT IDEAS Hot cross buns and coffee
Activity for those who finish early.
- Busted Halo Virtual Stations of the Cross
- This or other activity:
“Foamies”and3M foil tapeare the secret ingredients for this project! You can buy these thin sheets of foam in a 9×12 size at any art or craft supply store
Look for the foil tape at any hardware store in rolls that look like shiny foil duct tape (used for plumbing).
Materials:
- 4x6 inches foam sheet
- 12inches foil tape
- scissors
- ball point pen (medium point)
- hole punch
- Sharpies (F) in a variety of colors