STEP UP CLOSE TO JESUS

Living Stations of the Cross

(for St. Francis Borgia Parish)
by Sister Mary Terese Donze, ASC

Prior To Program Beginning:

Prayer for all cast and crew:

 Carefully move jugs and table with sound
box to back wall corner by credence table.
Lord Jesus,  Place two kneelers between altar and ambo.
 Microphone on stand with longer cord
Help me to remember set low by kneeler closest to altar.
that this presentation  Cordless microphone in front pew.
is not about me,
 A bowl and a pitcher with a small amount of
but about you.
water are on a table near Priest's chair.
This is your story to tell.
Let me be the means to deliver your truth,  I-pod music set up to go by cantor's
so you may reach the hearts and minds microphone.
of those willing to come to you.  Sound system turned on - test sound.
Jesus, use my body to show your story  Lights on: Altar, Inner, Center, Side Wall
that all may see something lights, master switch for pew Lanterns.
in a different way, this time.
 Reserve signs on front three left pews.
Jesus, use my voice to clearly tell your story
that all may hear a special way  Side aisle doors closed with signs asking to
to become closer to you, this time. be seated in center sections.
Jesus, use my talents to play the music in my soul  Brochures handed out as people enter.
that all may join in worship
of the everlasting life
that comes from your suffering for us.
May we serve your purposes, Lord Jesus, Music Is Playing:
to the best of our abilities.  We Are the Reason -
by Avalon
Amen.  Mighty is the Power of the Cross -
by Chris Tomlin
 By His Wounds -
from Glory Revealed Album
INTRODUCTION In the penitential spirit of Lent,
these Living Stations also act as
Thank you for being here this evening, an Examination of Conscience,
and joining us as we enter more fully allowing each of us to look
into Jesus’ suffering tonight. into our own hearts and
find the ways we have drifted away from God.
There will be three readers The actors, readers, and musicians are here
for each station this evening: to help you visualize
part of Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Reader 1 will introduce each station. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you tonight,
Please note your response in the handout helping us all to become closer to Jesus.
during each introduction. (Because by your...)
However, we will not kneel
during this response Speaker exits through sacristy door
as there is another time set aside for this. and closes it.
Reader 1 continues describing what takes place
during each station of the cross.
Lighting: Turn off main lanterns switch
Then a second reader will come forward
representing each one of us
and take us up close to Jesus. After lights are adjusted,
We will reflect with a whisper in our hearts.
It is during this reflection time Pilate and Servant Girl enter from sacristy
that we will ask you to kneel Pilate sits in Priest's chair
along with the readers
if you are able to do so. Servant girl stands by water table
Readers and remaining cast process into
Finally our third reader church from the gathering area,
brings us back to our lives today, as follows:
giving us all something on which to reflect
Readers 1 & 3
for our own lives.
Readers #2
You may then be seated
Jesus
when all of the readers return to their seats.
Guards "pushing" Jesus,
Remaining cast follows as crowd
There will also be times when our cantors and
musicians will lead us in singing Readers 1 & 3 go around ambo to the right
parts of songs. staying on main floor until the side
All of the music is found Readers #2 are seated in the front pew
in the program guide or
in the RED, HARD-COVER GATHER HYMNAL. Soldiers guide Jesus into sanctuary to Pilate
The song numbers will also be shown standing between Pilate and altar, then
on the boards. turn to face audience
Soldier 1 near altar
At the end of Station 14, Soldier 2 near Pilate
there will be time for silent prayer. Crowd follows going to server's chair area
You may stay and pray if you wish. staying on main floor until the side
When you leave,
please do so in complete silence,
saving any conversation for outside
or in the gathering area.
1 JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

Reader 1: The first station: Reader 2:

Jesus is condemned to death.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, See how hard and fast He is breathing.
and we praise you. He is afraid.
He could stop these men
All Reply: Because by your holy cross if He wanted
you have redeemed the world. because He is the Son of God.
But then who would make up for our sins?
See intro page for scene set up. So Jesus is going to let it happen
because He loves us.
Reader 1: He wants to save us
and win heaven for us.
Look at the man sitting. Still, He's afraid.
He is Pontius Pilate. Put your hand in His.
He is the Roman Governor Let Him know you care.
and the most powerful man in Judea.
Angry people have told lies about Jesus, Let us now kneel, if you are able.
and they want Pilate to kill him. (pause until all kneel)
Pilate knows Whisper to Jesus in our hearts:
Jesus is an innocent man. "Jesus, I’m here. I’ll stay with you."
He knows
He should not be killed.
But Pilate is afraid. Short pause (count 3) before reading.
He wants the angry people
to like him,
to be his friends, Reader 3:
or he might lose his job.
So he tells them, Pilate points Dear Jesus,
"Go ahead and kill Jesus." at Jesus please make me brave
so I can do what is right
even when it is hard to do.
Pilate rises and washes his hands. Don't let me be afraid
to stand up for somebody
Servant girl takes pitcher, bowl, and towel into
when others are telling lies
sacristy. Changes her sash to a cloth over
about that person.
her head. Waits in back until station #2.
Help me to not
Pilate takes the table and goes back into put luxury, success, popularity,
sacristy to change out of server's alb and or my own opinions
dresses as John. Waits until station #2. above what is right?
Soldier 2 takes the priest's chair into sacristy
and then gets the purple cloak and crown Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
of thorns.
Soldiers put a purple robe and crown of thorns Soldier 2 goes to back corner by cross
on Jesus (Jesus assists for his comfort). and waits there.
Soldiers push Jesus forward toward the pews.
2 JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS

Reader 1: The second station: Reader 2:

Jesus takes up His cross.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, See what a hard time he has
and we praise you. getting the cross onto his shoulder.
It is clumsy and heavy. Jesus adjusts cross
All Reply: Because by your holy cross His shoulders are already sore
you have redeemed the world. because they have whipped Him
extensively.
There are thorns around His head too.
John (formerly Pilate) and Sometimes the cross hits these thorns.
They go into Jesus' head like sharp nails.
Weeping Woman (formerly servant girl)
- now become part of crowd.
Let us kneel, if you are able.
Soldier 2 brings cross forward to "stage" back (pause until all kneel)
corner. Whisper in our hearts:
"Jesus, make me brave like you."

Reader 1:
Short pause (count 3) before reading.
Look at the quiet way
Jesus does what they tell Him.
He does not fight Reader 3:
with the men who push him.
He does not hate them Dear Jesus,
and say rough words to them. when something is hard for me to do,
If they had known He was dying for them help me to remember
and for all of us, how you took the cross
they would have acted differently. without fussing about it.
So Jesus forgives them. Help me to be good and kind to others
He thinks only of how Soldier 1 pushes Jesus even when it is not easy.
He loves them and us. toward the cross. Help me to control the anger in my life.
Then He takes up the cross Help me to take responsibility
but in His heart Jesus places cross for both the good
He asks His heavenly Father on his shoulder and the bad things
to help Him carry it bravely. then faces pews that happen to me.

Soldiers and Jesus should be standing facing Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
pews but as far back as can be
Soldier 1 is now between Jesus and the crowd SONG: Behold The Wood of the Cross
Soldier 2 is behind Jesus (Refrain only)
3 JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Reader 1: The third station: Reader 2:

Jesus falls the first time.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, See Him trying to get up.
and we praise you. He wants to keep carrying His cross.
Everybody around Him is yelling Crowd
All Reply: Because by your holy cross and poking at Him. points
you have redeemed the world. But Jesus does not get angry.
He offers all the hurting
to His heavenly Father for us
Crowd comes up from server's area to be because He loves us.
closer to Jesus carrying the cross. Then He pulls Himself to His feet
and walks forward. Jesus stands up
Soldiers motion pushing Jesus with spears
Think that you takes one step
to hurry him along.
put your arms around Him. to his right

Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)

Reader 1: Whisper in our hearts:
"Jesus, teach me to be loving like you.
Look at how Jesus is stumbling along,
struggling just to stand.
The cross is crushing His shoulder, Short pause (count 3) before reading.
and the sharp stones in the road
cut His bare feet.
All around Him Reader 3:
people are shouting and pushing,
and the Roman soldiers, Dear Jesus,
who have been ordered to crucify Him, if something hurts me today,
want Him to hurry. remind me to offer my hurt to God.
Jesus tries as hard as He can to move faster Do not let me be mean
but He stumbles and falls. to anybody who gets hurt,
or who makes mistakes,
or to anyone who is different from me.
Jesus falls onto one knee with the cross. Help me
Soldier 2 helps balance cross during fall. to love others
as you loved us.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

4 JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

Reader 1: The fourth station: Reader 2:

Jesus meets His mother.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, He feels so sad to have His mother
and we praise you. see him all bruised and beaten.
He knows it makes her unhappy.
All Reply: Because by your holy cross But she is brave like Him.
you have redeemed the world. She knows that He chose to carry the cross.
And if that's what God planned for Jesus,
she wants Jesus to do it.
Simon joins the crowd near the back. They are both willing to do
John comes behind Mary and puts his hand on what God wants them to do
her shoulder. because they know that
what God wants
They both come forward and Mary touches
is always good for us.
Jesus' hand on the cross.
Jesus looks toward west side pews. Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
Mary looks toward stain-glass windows above Whisper in our hearts:
readers 1 & 3. “Help me to always do what is good!”

Reader 1: Short pause (count 3) before reading.

Look at that lady

reaching out to Jesus from the crowd. Reader 3:
She is His mother, Mary.
She comes close Dear Jesus,
and her face is full of tears. when I have to be away
Tears are on Jesus' cheeks, too. from someone I love,
You can tell how much they love each other. help me offer
Look at Jesus and see a Son my lonely feelings to You.
who honors and respects his mother Help me to do
out of the great love he has for her. what God wants me to do today.
Jesus performed his first miracle Help me to respect those in authority.
because his mother expressed concern Help me to always do
for the shortage of wine at a wedding. what is good and just.
Although this man is the Son of God
and needs nothing,
He still follows the Father’s command Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
to honor His mother.
But Mary is not allowed to stay close to Jesus,
to say kind and loving words to Him.
They make her go away.

Soldier 1 then "pushes" Mary & John back to

the crowd.
5 SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS

Reader 1: The fifth station: Reader 2:

Simon helps Jesus carry His cross.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, See how Simon is trying
and we praise you. to get hold of the cross Simon
and carry it for Jesus. adjusts
All Reply: Because by your holy cross Simon is strong cross
you have redeemed the world. but the cross is heavy,
yet not too heavy.
Jesus never asks us to do
Soldier 2 roughly grabs Simon something we cannot do.
and then makes him help with the cross. Sometimes,
when you have hard things to do,
Simon and Jesus stand side by side facing
it is Jesus asking you to carry the cross,
pews, each holding one of the "arms" of the
as He asked Simon.
cross.
Try to think then,
Jesus is making you strong.
Reader 1:
Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
Whisper in our hearts:
Look at that man helping Jesus carry the cross.
"Jesus, I want to be proud like Simon
This is Simon of Cyrene.
that I helped you with your cross."
He was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem
for the Passover Feast
when he was stopped
Short pause (count 3) before reading.
and told to help carry Jesus' cross.
At first Simon did not like having to help Jesus.
He thinks; “Why must I help this man?
Reader 3:
Who is He that the crowd so hates him.”
He has these doubts and questions
Dear Jesus,
because Simon did not know Jesus.
But later, when he found out who Jesus was, make me strong
when I have to do something hard.
he was proud
When I don't like to do something
that he had helped to carry the cross.
do not let me push it off
on somebody else.
I don’t really want to be singled out,
but one look at Simon
shows me the importance
of helping my brothers and sisters.
Help me to willingly and joyfully
help others.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

SONG: The Summons Verse 1

6 VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

Reader 1: The sixth station: Reader 2:

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, Think how, if men can be proud
and we praise you. because Simon helped Jesus,
females can be proud
All Reply: Because by your holy cross because Veronica helped Jesus too.
you have redeemed the world. It does not matter who we are.
What is important to God
is what is in our hearts.
Veronica comes forward with the cloth. If our hearts are good and kind,
Picture of Jesus' face is folded to the inside. that is the best
and most important thing.

Reader 1: Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)

Whisper in our hearts:
Look at that woman standing before Jesus. "Jesus, print your face
We call her Veronica on my mind and my heart,
a poor Jewish woman so I can learn to be more and more like you."
who sees love in this man’s face.
She has pushed her way through the crowd
to get to Jesus. Short pause (count 3) before reading.
That was a brave thing to do
with all those rough people around
to scare her. Reader 3:
She does not understand
how they can look at his kind loving face Dear Jesus,
and do these terrible things to him. let me be thankful
But she does not think of them. to people who help me
She thinks only of how when I need help.
she wants to give Jesus Veronica gives Help me do kind things for other people
a handkerchief cloth to Jesus even if I don't get any reward.
to wipe his face. Jesus wipes face Jesus you based your words and actions
When Jesus gives it back to her Jesus gives cloth on charity
there is an image of his face back to Veronica and the greater good of others.
on the handkerchief. Veronica looks at it Help me to be gracious and generous.
It was Jesus' way of thanking her.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

Soldiers push Veronica back.
Veronica blends back into crowd.
Veronica steps away from Jesus toward pews
and turns to hold up cloth for all to see
the face of Jesus.
SONG: The Summons Verse 2
7 JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

Reader 1: The seventh station: Reader 2:

Jesus falls the second time.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, Stoop down to where
and we praise you. He has fallen in the street.
He is out of breath
All Reply: Because by your holy cross and very tired.
you have redeemed the world. It would help
if He could just lie there a minute.
But He gets up Jesus slowly gets up
Reader 1: and tries walking again. Simon gets up
You were not there with him.
Look at how hard it is for Jesus to walk. when all this happened;
He feels weak and shaky. but remember,
He has had nothing to eat or drink what you do or say to Jesus now
and He hurts all over. counts as if you had been there.
But the soldiers won't let Him stop and rest.
They keep pushing at Him to walk faster. Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
He tries, but again He falls down Whisper in our hearts:
in the dirty street, "Jesus, thank You for showing me
and the heavy wooden cross how always
falls on top of Him. to get up and to keep going.”

Jesus falls to his hands and knees. Short pause (count 3) before reading.
Simon also falls down to one knee.
Simon holds most of the weight of cross, Reader 3:
but the other "arm" of the cross
rests on Jesus' back. Dear Jesus,
when I try to do something
and mess it up,
help me to start over again
as You did.
If somebody falls down or gets hurt,
let me feel for them
and help them if I can.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

8 JESUS MEETS THE WEEPING WOMEN

Reader 1: The eighth station: Reader 2:

Jesus meets the weeping women.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, Listen when He talks to these women.
and we praise you. It is hard to behave well
when you are sick or feeling bad.
All Reply: Because by your holy cross It takes much courage
you have redeemed the world. to be unselfish like that.
But Jesus does not think of Himself.
He thinks only of being kind
Women come forward with handkerchiefs - to these ladies.
dabbing at their eyes as if weeping.
Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
Whisper in our hearts:
Reader 1: "Jesus, help me to be thoughtful of others
as you are."
Look at the women of Jerusalem
who are standing at the corner of the street
where Jesus is passing. Short pause (count 3) before reading.
When Jesus draws near, Women kneel
they fall to their knees by Jesus
sobbing and weeping for him. Reader 3:
They feel sorry for Him
and say loving words to Him. Dear Jesus,
They are weeping show me how I can help others
because they have been touched and make them happy.
by the immense love and compassion Teach me to share what I have
of Jesus. with others
Jesus has never given them worldly goods, and to not always try to keep
but he offered his love, his mercy, the best of everything
his hope, and now his life. just for myself.
He tenderly Slowly and painfully Help me to think beyond my possessions,
reaches out to them. Jesus reaches out and to think about things
Even now in his pain, to them that bring joy to others.
he doesn’t think of himself Simon bears
but stops to comfort them. weight of cross
He tells them that He will feel better Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
if He knows they will always be kind
and gentle toward everyone
for love of Him Soldiers then push the women back into the
and if they will teach their children crowd and make Jesus retake up his cross.
to do the same.
They are good women.
They will do what Jesus asks.
9 JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

Reader 1: The ninth station: Reader 2:

Jesus falls the third time.
Step Up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, He is flat on the ground.
and we praise you. It is very hard for Jesus to move,
but he gets to his knees and
All Reply: Because by your holy cross pushes himself up again. Jesus slowly
you have redeemed the world. He knows He has to go on. stands up
Jesus does not like all this pain.
He would like to be rid of it.
Reader1: But He can't stop now
if he wants to do what will help us.
Look at Jesus now. And . . . He wants to.
He is walking slower and slower. He started this way of the cross
He’s been nearly beaten to death for God and for us,
and has fallen twice already. and He wants to finish it.
The soldiers wish He would hurry.
They are afraid that Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
all the excited people watching Jesus Whisper to Him in our hearts:
and yelling at Him may cause a riot. "Jesus, You are a hero!”
Jesus is packed in so close
He can hardly breathe.
He takes several more steps Short pause (count 3) before reading.
and then falls down in the dirty street
for the third time.
Reader 3:

Jesus falls flat on the ground, Dear Jesus,

Simon stays standing with cross. if I am slow and people rush me;
help me not to get upset.
Help me to be kind to everybody
because every one of us
needs help sometimes.
When I fail, please give me
the strength and the courage
to keep picking myself up and continuing.
Help me to keep going
when times are tough and
it would be easier to quit
than to continue.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

Entire crowd moves back down to server's

chair area.

SONG: Change our Hearts-(Refrain only)

10 JESUS' CLOTHES ARE TAKEN AWAY

Reader 1: The tenth station: Reader 2:

Jesus' clothes are taken away.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, He stands there without His clothes.
and we praise you. He is like a wrestler or boxer
who takes off his ordinary clothes
All Reply: Because by your holy cross so he can fight better.
you have redeemed the world. Jesus is getting ready for a fight also.
He is fighting against death and sin.
He wants to win the fight.
Simon takes the cross and steps back, He wants to make it possible
holding the cross upright for all of us to have a life
that lasts forever in heaven.
We are on Jesus' side
Reader 1: and want Him to win.

Look at Jesus. Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)

He is outside the city of Jerusalem now Whisper to Him in our hearts:
and standing on a hill called Calvary. "Jesus, I am cheering for You."
The soldiers are going to crucify Him here.
One of them is pulling off Soldier 2
Jesus' clothes. removes purple cloak Short pause (count 3) before reading.
The clothes are sticking and takes spear,
to Jesus' sore back. goes into sacristy
It hurts when they are pulled off and waits Reader 3:
just as it hurts when somebody
pulls a Band-Aid off a sore on your knee. Dear Jesus,
keep me strong in the battles
Dismas, a thief, I will have to fight
is being crucified along side of Jesus. to be good and true to You.
He realizes his sins and asks Jesus to forgive him, Let me never forget
to remember him when He comes into His that I can pray for Your help
kingdom. when I am at Mass.
Jesus promises Dismas Help me to share the gifts
that he will join Him today…in paradise! God has given me
with those who need them.

NOTE: Soldier 2 has taken the spear and

leaned it against the wall and credence Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
table so that it is ready for watching the
tomb in station 14
11 JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

Reader 1: The eleventh station: Reader 2:

Jesus is nailed to the cross:
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, He hurts all over.
and we praise you. His head aches.
He is thirsty,
All Reply: Because by your holy cross but in His heart
you have redeemed the world. He is not sad like the people.
He knows that
what He chose to do
Simon brings the cross forward behind Jesus was the right thing.
and supports it upright Now He looks down at the men
Jesus grabs "arms" of cross from underneath who nailed Him to the cross
and behind and He forgives them.
Soldier 2 comes back with rubber mallet and Then He tells Mary
red ropes to be a mother to all of us
and to count us as her children.
He keeps thinking of others
Reader 1: even when he is dying.

Look at Jesus. Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)

He has been laid flat down on the cross. Whisper to Him in our hearts:
One soldiers takes spikes "Jesus, I love you."
and hammers them through Jesus' hands.
(PAUSE) Soldier 2 pretends to hammer,
while Soldier 1 wraps red cord Short pause (count 3) before reading.
to "tie" Jesus' wrists to the cross.
Out of sight, someone hits metal with a
hammer 3X for each hand and his feet. Reader 3:
Simon takes mallet and goes to sacristy.
After Jesus' feet also are nailed, Dear Jesus,
the soldiers fix the cross into a hole when somebody hurts me,
so it will stand straight. help me to be forgiving,
Everybody stands around and looks at Jesus. and help me to live
The good people feel unhappy so Mary will be proud
because they love Jesus. to count me as her child.
The people who don't love him are unhappy too,
because they have done something bad.
It was a very sad day - that first Good Friday. Turn off ALTAR lights

Mary comes forward with John Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
John holds the kneeling cushion to his side
away from pews. SONG: Were You There
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Lighting crew cracks open the door by ambo
and prepares for turning off lights.
12 JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

Reader 1: The twelfth station: Reader 2:

Jesus dies on the cross.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, He is dead on the cross.
and we praise you. He suffered all this
because He wanted to put down death
All Reply: Because by your holy cross and find a way to give life.
you have redeemed the world. He has met death
and won the fight with it.
But it does not look that way.
Reader 1: He hangs there so still
as if death has Him for good.
Look at Jesus hanging on the cross. But it doesn't.
He has been there for three hours. Jesus once said He was life.
He hurts all over. He told everybody that,
He is so thirsty but nobody brings any water. if they would wait three days
Jesus does not complain. after His death,
He prays to His heavenly Father He would show them
and tells Him that He has finished that Life had won the fight over death.
what had to be done.
He bows His head and dies. Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
(PAUSE) Jesus bows his head. Whisper to Him in our hearts:
Mary and John kneel near the cross "Jesus, I believe You bring life. “
using the kneeling cushion.
Crowd kneels also by steps.
Readers 1 & 3 go to kneelers, Short pause (count 3) before reading.
Everyone in church kneels briefly
Reader 1 counts to 10 then stands
Turn off INNER lights Reader 3:
A soldiers runs a spear into Jesus' side.
Blood and water come out, Dear Jesus,
a sign that Jesus gave everything. no matter where I am,
how long I live,
Many will wish or what happens to me,
that they would have met him sooner let me always be thankful
so that they could have lived their lives that you died for me.
according to His way. At the hour of your death,
You still have that chance. I will look at you
and see love, hope, and mercy.

Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.

SONG: Were You There

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
13 JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

Reader 1: The thirteenth station: Reader 2:

Jesus is taken down from the cross.
Step up close to Jesus.
We adore you, O Christ, All His enemies are gone now,
and we praise you. so those who love Him Crowd
can come near gathers
All Reply: Because by your holy cross and stay with his mother. by Mary
you have redeemed the world. If you had been there
you would have done the same.
And you would have been proud
Soldier 2 unwraps the rope from Jesus' hands of Mary's being so brave.
and holds the cross upright You would not have cried either
John helps brace Jesus as he "falls" down even though your heart would hurt for Jesus.
and helps lay Jesus near Mary You would be thinking
about the third day.
Mary removes the crown of thorns,
gives it to John and
Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
John hands it to Soldier 2
Whisper to Him in our hearts:
Soldier 2 takes cross, thorns, & rope into "Jesus, I love You."
sacristy and waits till next station
Jesus rests his head on cushion
Mary gently puts her hand on his shoulder Short pause (count 3) before reading.

Reader 1: (PAUSE) Reader 3:

Look at Jesus Dear Jesus,

after His body has been taken down when somebody dies,
from the cross help me to remember
and the blood and dirt washed away. that You have given new life
The sharp thorns have been taken off, too. and that I can see that person in heaven.
Now He is lying on His mother's lap. Let me be kind and helpful
She holds Him lovingly. if someone in my family is sad.
She keeps saying His name over and over.
How she loves him!
Her heart is broken, Pause 15 seconds, then sit down.
but she does not cry or give up.
She remembers about waiting three days.
SONG: Were You There
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
14 JESUS IS PUT INTO THE TOMB

Reader 2:
Reader 1: The fourteenth station:
Jesus is put in the tomb. Step up close to Jesus.
You cannot see Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, because He is still inside the tomb.
and we praise you. It is Saturday, the next day.
Pontius Pilate,
All Reply: Because by your holy cross the judge who let Jesus be killed,
you have redeemed the world. sent soldiers to the tomb
so that nobody would steal
the body of Jesus.
Soldier 2 returns with black cloth The soldiers sit by the tomb
While READER 1 is reading..... all day and all night.
Imagine that you also sit there
Musicians get ready to play last song on ipod
and that you watch, pray,
and then leave the church area
and remember
Both soldiers hold cloth to hide Jesus while the promise of the third day.
Jesus crawls to the sacristy (tomb) behind the
black cloth and closes door when text is Let us kneel. (pause until all kneel)
read Whisper to Him in our hearts:
John and Mary follow the cloth to tomb "Jesus, I am waiting for You."
Soldiers remain at the tomb
Short pause (count 3) before reading.
The crowd sits on the steps in the server's
chair area
Reader 3:

Reader 1: Dear Jesus,

help me to pray
Look at how Jesus' friends even when I cannot see you
have put clean clothes on His body or You don't seem very near to me.
and sprinkled Him Teach me how to wait
with a sweet smelling perfume. when I cannot have what I want
Now they are putting His body into a tomb. cloth right away.
The tomb is a small cave-like room covers Help me to be patient
cut out of a big rock. Jesus and allow Your ways to happen
After they lay Him inside, crawling as You have them planned.
they leave the tomb soldiers
and roll a giant stone slide Count to 10, then turn off CENTER lights
in front of the doorway. stone
It is so large that it takes several big men over All readers, musicians, and cast walk back
to roll it into place. door to gathering area
Then they all go home. in COMPLETE SILENCE

Soldiers remain and sit on steps by door. Songs: play quietly in the background
Soldier 1 grabs spear. You Are My King (Amazing Love) by Newsboys
John and Mary lead the crowd, Above All by Michael W. Smith
to be seated in pews.