Welcome to the 2010 Journey

Thank you for joining us today.   You are about to embark on a
journey that invites you to enter into reflection and meditation
that aims to bring the ancient story of Christ's passion into a
personal experience in the life of the seeker today. 

We have designed today’s experience for you to go on a journey
into the life of Christ.  We have designed a series of “thresholds”
(the starting point for a new state or experience; the smallest detectable
sensation; the entrance, the space through which you enter). You are
invited to step across the threshold to another time, another place.
Using all of your senses, you are encouraged to participate fully
in each one. Each Threshold has a scripture reference and many
have other things like poems, lyrics, or other wording.


Each threshold of the physical vigil will be presented in a
separate post on this blog. Be sure to continue to the 
"older posts" to see all of the thresholds.

Feel free to “journal” your experience.  We encourage you
to share any special thoughts you may have and leave it
n a comment for those who come after you to read.
Throughout the day we will add notes from the physical
vigil to the virtual vigil and vice versa. At the end of the
day, we will have a service in the church sanctuary
beginning at 7:30 p.m.  At that time we will read aloud
any comments that have been left.   

 
If you are near Brimfield, please join us on Easter Sunday
Morning for a Sunrise Service beginning at 6:30 a.m. at
100 Tower Hill Road, followed by a pancake breakfast at
the church.  Easter Service of Celebration will begin at
10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.  

Our regular Sunday Worship Services are at 10:30 a.m.  

For more information about the church call 413-245-7162.  

Prayer Wall

As you begin the journey, take a moment to focus and center yourself. If you have a concern for yourself (please no requests for others without their permission) to lift to God write as a comment to leave it on the prayer wall. We will pray for these concerns at the Vespers Service at 7:30.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’ When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:1-11

You know the story; the men were in their boats, they saw Jesus on the shore, he tells them to “come follow me” and leaving everything behind they do just that. The story in John tells us that Andrew and Peter had already met Jesus when they were following John the Baptist.

What about you?... What do you know of this Jesus…you’ve heard the stories about him…. you may have even met him a time or two….perhaps you once followed him but then chose to go your own way…. Do you know how much He Loves You?..Look, He’s on the shore….He is calling YOU… Calling YOUR name....He wants YOU to FOLLOW HIM….Go ashore … follow …. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Priestly Bells

There is a tradition that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle / Temple with a rope tied to his foot and/or with bells around his waist. It is said that when the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies at Yom Kippur during the last couple of centuries of the Temple, a scarlet rope was tied to his foot. A priest in the Holy Place tended the other end of this rope. The rope had a purpose. If the High Priest's sins were not atoned for properly, he would die in the presence of the shekinah, the glory of God, that filled the Holy of Holies. Since nobody else could enter that part of the Temple without also dying, the priests felt they needed a way to retrieve the body of the High Priest, if necessary. That was the purpose of the rope - to pull the body out. The bells jingling would be the sign that the priest had fallen to the ground dead. If true, this is a powerful reminder of God's holiness - and how we should praise Jesus for the direct access to God's throne he provides!

The Transfiguration

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

Mark 9:2-8

Peter, James and John witnessed a miracle when Jesus told them to push out into the deep to fish. Now they find themselves high on a mountain. Each of these experiences was seen as a threshold to another realm where holiness may be touched. Experience the sudden unearthly transformation of light and imagine what it means to be in the company of holiness. Do you know that God loves you so much; He wants you to see holiness.

Touching the Hem

Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?” ’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

Push through the “worldly crowd”. Look for Jesus….Have the faith to touch Him. Find the healing he has to offer you. (when you find the right garment, you will find the words of healing). Do you know God loves you so much He wants you to be healed?

“My touch is STILL a potent healer. Be STILL

FEEL my touch.

SENSE My Presence,

and the fever of WORK,

the fever of WORRY,

the fever of STRESS

and the fever of FEAR

—will melt into nothingness

and

HEALTH, JOY, and PEACE, will take it place.

The Palms

After saying these things, Jesus headed straight up to Jerusalem. When he got near Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says anything, asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'His Master needs him.' " The two left and found it just as he said. As they were untying the colt, its owners said, "What are you doing untying the colt?" They said, "His Master needs him." They brought the colt to Jesus. Then, throwing their coats on its back, they helped Jesus get on. As he rode, the people gave him a grand welcome, throwing their coats on the street. Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God's name! All's well in heaven! Glory in the high places!

Luke 19:28-38

Have you ever walked down a street days after a parade? What does what is left behind say about what happened? What would it have been like to have been in the crowd on Palm Sunday? Can you hear the crowd now as it cries out for Jesus' death? Do you know how much God loves you?

Garden of Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus prays “not my will, but your will be done” When you pray do you ask God to answer your prayers the way you want them done, or do you truly ask God to answer your prayers according to God’s will? What would it be like if instead you prayed as Jesus did “not my way, but yours?” Do you know Jesus loved you so much He chose God’s will not His?

Dinner at Mary & Martha's

Six days before Passover, Jesus entered Bethany where Lazarus, so recently raised from the dead, was living. Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them. Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus' feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house. Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, "Why wasn't this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces." He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them. Jesus said, "Let her alone. She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you. You don't always have me."

John 12:1-8

This alabaster jar is all I have of worth
I break it at your feet, Lord.It's less than you deserve.
You are far more beautiful,
More precious than the oil,
The sum of my desires,
And the fullness of my heart...


the time that I have left
Is all I have of worth.
I lay it at your feet, Lord.
It's less than you deserve.
And though I've little strength,
and though my days are few,
You gave your life for me,
so I will live my life for you...

Imagine you are at Martha’s table. Smell the fragrant aroma of this exotic ointment. Imagine the scene when Jesus was anointed with this precious gift. If you like, put some on yourself. As you wash your hands or feet, imagine you are washing Jesus’ feet. Or better yet, imagine that Jesus is washing you. He is washing away your sins so that you may be clean, fresh and ready to face what may come. Do you know God loves you so much He wants to be present with you even at your table?

The Last Supper

When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God." Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, "Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives." Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory." He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you. "Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table? It's true that the Son of Man is going down a path already marked out—no surprises there. But for the one who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man, this is doomsday." They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.

Luke 22:14-23

Join Jesus at the table, the folding cha the folding chair is for you, Jesus sits in the other. This meal has been prepared just for you. Take a piece of bread and dip it in the cup. As you cup your hand under the soaked bread you may catch a drop of the grape juice. Recall that Jesus proclaimed this to be his blood. What does it mean for you this Good Friday to have Jesus’ blood on your hands? Do you know God loves you so much He wants to break bread with you?

The Tomb

After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.

John 19:38-42

Stones symbolize permanence.  Jesus was laid in a stone tomb with a stone to cover the entrance.  He left the tomb,
proving that God's love is more permanent than death. Do you know how much God loves you?  Would you willingly give
your life for another?

The Denial

While all this was going on, Peter was down in the courtyard. One of the Chief Priest's servant girls came in and, seeing Peter warming himself there, looked hard at him and said, "You were with the Nazarene, Jesus." He denied it: "I don't know what you're talking about." He went out on the porch. A rooster crowed. The girl spotted him and began telling the people standing around, "He's one of them." He denied it again. After a little while, the bystanders brought it up again. "You've got to be one of them. You've got 'Galilean' written all over you." Now Peter got really nervous and swore, "I never laid eyes on this man you're talking about." Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.

Mark 14:66-72

There is no ignoring the crow of a rooster. How harshly does that sound grate your ears when it serves to remind you of the many ways you have denied Christ in your daily life? Do you know God loves you so much that even when you deny Him, He is still there waiting for your return?

The Suffering of Jesus

So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face.

Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, "I'm thirsty." A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done . . . complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

John 19:1-3, 28-30

Jesus was mocked with a crown of thorns and purple cloak. His torturers flogged him and then paid mock homage to the bleeding king. On the cross he was offered sour wine for his thirst. You can smell and taste the bitter vinegar on the table. Do you KNOW how much God loves you?

The Nails

Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

Luke 23:32-34

Friday
I am imagining the soldier
who drove the nails,
clambering around or stretching
to reach the hands,
trying to avoid seeing
the face and the eyes,
ignoring the eternal life line
dividing the palms
from fingers down to wrists,
glimpsing the lips
moving silently,
mouthing words not meant 
for ears to hear.
And I'm wondering
how many keepers of reliquaries
claim to own those nails,
or perhaps even the letter home
written by the nailer
or some other soldier ordered
later to do his duty
and pull them out.
                     Warren L. Molton

Jesus could have called down angel armies to save himself, but he accepted death. Who killed Jesus? Didn't he allow the stinking rotten system created by human sin to kill him? Take the hammer in your hand and drive the nail for surely your participation (even through silence) in systemic evil nails Jesus to the cross still. As Woody Guthrie sang, “If Jesus preached today like he preached in Galilee, we'd lay Jesus Christ in his grave.” Do YOU know how much God loves you?

The Cross

Levanta la espranza is Spanish for lifting up hope. Our hope of salvation, Christ, was lifted on the cross. Today we want to lift up hope for our brothers and sisters in Chile. They know first hand what it is to experience an earthquake like the earthquake at the time of the crucifixion. Our church is a member of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. Our Conference has been in partnership with the Pentecostal Church of Chile for over a decade. Help up help our mission partner by providing relief. Please click here to find out how you can donate.

The Veil

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Matthew 27:51-56

The veil was made using many layers of cloth. The thickness was over three feet. The curtains overlapped and made a small maze through which the priest walked. Do you know God loves you so much He tore the veil for you?

The Holy of Holies

קֹדֶשׁ הַקָּדָשִׁים Qṓḏeš HaqQŏḏāšîm

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Now the veil is broken. God invites you and encourages you to go into the Holy of Holies, to be in the presence of Holiness! You no longer have to fear facing God. You don’t have to worry about being in the presence of Holiness; God loves you so much He wants to be near you!!

Jesus Makes Breakfast

Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

John 21:3-17

So just like those first disciples you have come full circle. Jesus is offering you “food” to fill your soul.

He asks you, “Do YOU love me, more than these?

Again he asks, “Do you LOVE me?

And again, “Do you love ME?

“Then GO, into the world, and FEED my sheep, my people, LOVE them and CARE for ALL, as I LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU.”

Prayers of Joy

Now as your journey away from Friday toward Sunday, share your prayers of gratitude and joy. This also will be shared at our Vespers Service tonight.

Have a blessed Easter.