Station 14: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Find Station #14: Top of stairwell to undercroft
Prayer
Reader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
Reading
We bring his body to the garden of a man named Joseph.
He is from Arimathea. He has a brand new tomb we can use for Jesus. It is a
little room cut into the rock of the hill. We place his body in the room, all
wrapped up in cloth, just like he was a baby. I am still confused. Who was this
man named Jesus? Why did he have to die? Why do I feel like he died for me
?
Activity on the Church Grounds
For families: Look below at the stairs - you may walk down them. What feels different down here? We are at the end of our journey. I wonder how it feels to come to the end of something important. How do we prepare for Easter and what is to come? Think of ways you can share the love of Jesus this Easter season and all year long.
For adults: O God, your blessed Son was laid in a tomb in a garden and rested on the Sabbath day: Grant that we who have been buried with him in the waters of baptism may find our perfect rest in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Activity at Home
For all: Read Jesus is laid in the tomb from Earnest Illustrations by Earnest Graham.
Litany
Lord Jesus, as we remember how you died for us and rose again to bring us to new life, we ask for your strength to help us now.
For those times we hurt other people.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we don’t listen.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we take each other for granted.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we don’t reach out for love.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we are too scared to do what’s right.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we put other people down.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we react in hate and fear.
Lord, have mercy.
For those times we don’t do our very best for you.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, we ask for your help in all these things, that we may be able to put all our trust and faith in your great mercy and love overflowing, which you showed us by the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. We pray that we may always serve you with gladness and to the honor of your Name. Amen.
Image: 14th Station from Stations of the Cross from Latin America 1492-1992 by Adolfo Perez Esquivel of Argentina
Readings: Text developed over years with Cecelia S. Snyder (Director of Children’s Ministries at Grace Church, Alexandria for 20 years, ca 1985- 2006 and Montessori teacher for over 40 years) and Chrissie Crosby (erstwhile assistant for Children’s Ministries at Grace, MA in Biblical Interpretation, VTS 2014), with Suzanna Green (Director of Children and Family Ministries at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church San Antonio, TX).
Activities (for families): Hannah Teetor, Director of Children’s Formation at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.
Prayers for adults: The Episcopal Church’s Book of Occasional Services, Forward Movement’s Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book (Newly Revised Edition).
