Stations of the Cross (Lutheran)

[tampasteve]

My small family are officially joining the ELCA church we have been attending, membership classes start in a couple of weeks. I know talk about Stations of the Cross is early, but this is something I desire to implement in our church. Has anyone started this in their parish? What challenges did you face? Obviously I need to work with our pastor and if/how to start this. I am willing to fund any expense for placing them in the church or outside on the church grounds, so that part is not an issue.

 

[Tigger45]

The only church body I know of who at least uses the stations of the cross on occasion is the Episcopal Church. I wonder if they’d be of any assistance.

 

[Fidelibus]

The only church body I know of who at least uses the stations of the cross on occasion is the Episcopal Church. I wonder if they’d be of any assistance.

You are forgetting the Catholic Church. In my parish, the Stations of the Cross are recited/observed on every Friday during Lent. Many people in my parish observe them daily or weekly, either alone or in groups.

 

[Fidelibus]

My small family are officially joining the ELCA church we have been attending, membership classes start in a couple of weeks. I know talk about Stations of the Cross is early, but this is something I desire to implement in our church. Has anyone started this in their parish? What challenges did you face? Obviously I need to work with our pastor and if/how to start this. I am willing to fund any expense for placing them in the church or outside on the church grounds, so that part is not an issue.

I would suggest you going to your nearest Catholic Church to see the Stations depicted around the church, (and even attend them next Lenten season) and ask either the Pastor/Priest or Pastoral asst. of any questions you may have. I attend the Stations services on every Friday during Lent and alone monthly during the year. I hope you can get them started in your church.

God Bless you.

 

[Shane R]

I talked to Bp. Heiser yesterday (ELDoNA). They seem to be generally high church. Next time I chat with him, I'll ask if this devotion is common in their parishes.

 

[Tigger45]

The only church body I know of who at least uses the stations of the cross on occasion is the Episcopal Church. I wonder if they’d be of any assistance.

Here is a link to their website concerning the stations. Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross)

Way of the cross (stations of the cross)

A devotion to the Passion of Christ which recalls a series of events at the end of Jesus' life from his condemnation to his burial. The Way of the Cross imitates the practice of visiting the places of Jesus' Passion in the Holy Land by early Christian pilgrims. The first stations outside Palestine were built in Bologna in the fifth century. This devotion was encouraged by the Franciscans, and it became common in the fifteenth century. The number of stations for prayer and meditation in the Way of the Cross has varied, but it typically includes fourteen stations. Each station may have a cross and an artistic representation of the scene. The stations may be erected inside a church or outdoors. The BOS includes the following stations in the Way of the Cross: 1) Jesus is condemned to death; 2) Jesus takes up his cross; 3) Jesus falls the first time; 4) Jesus meets his afflicted mother; 5) the cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene; 6) a woman wipes the face of Jesus; 7) Jesus falls a second time; 8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; 9) Jesus falls a third time; 10) Jesus is stripped of his garments; 11) Jesus is nailed to the cross; 12) Jesus dies on the cross; 13) the body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother; 14) Jesus is laid in the tomb. The BOS notes that eight of the stations are based on events that are recorded in the gospels. The remaining six (stations 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13) are based on inferences from the gospels or pious legends. The BOS allows these six stations to be omitted from the Way of the Cross. The BOS provides opening devotions and the Lord's Prayer. There is a versicle and response, a reading, a prayer, and a collect for each of the fourteen stations. Concluding prayers before the altar follow the fourteenth station in the BOS service. The hymn Stabat Mater has been associated with the Way of the Cross. Verses of this hymn traditionally have been sung between each of the stations when the devotion is done by a congregation. The Stabat Mater appears as "At the cross her vigil keeping," Hymn 159 in The Hymnal 1982. The BOS suggests that verses of this hymn be sung as the ministers enter for the Way of the Cross and as they approach the first station. The BOS also suggests that the Trisagion be chanted as the procession goes from station to station. The Way of the Cross is a popular devotion that is often done on Fridays during Lent. However, it should not displace the Proper Liturgy for Good Friday. Some have questioned its disassociation of Jesus' death from his resurrection.

 

[“Paisios”]

The only church body I know of who at least uses the stations of the cross on occasion is the Episcopal Church. I wonder if they’d be of any assistance.

You are forgetting the Catholic Church. In my parish, the Stations of the Cross are recited/observed on every Friday during Lent. Many people in my parish observe them daily or weekly, either alone or in groups.

Some parishes of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (CEC-NA) use the Stations of the Cross during Holy Week as well.

 

[Tigger45]

Here are some Lutheran ones.
The Way of the Cross

http://www.ststephenlutheranchurch.org/pdf/Stations of the Cross.pdf

Stations of the Cross | Christus Victor Lutheran Church

 

[Tigger45]

You are forgetting the Catholic Church. In my parish, the Stations of the Cross are recited/observed on every Friday during Lent. Many people in my parish observe them daily or weekly, either alone or in groups.

I didn’t forget the Catholic Church and neither did the OP hence why he put ‘Lutheran’ in parentheses. I initially offered the Episcopal Church because they and the ELCA are in communion with each other.

 

[tampasteve]

The only church body I know of who at least uses the stations of the cross on occasion is the Episcopal Church. I wonder if they’d be of any assistance.

That is not a bad idea at all, also perhaps the local Catholic churches. I don't know if the local Episcopal churches do them though, but I can research it.

You are forgetting the Catholic Church. In my parish, the Stations of the Cross are recited/observed on every Friday during Lent. Many people in my parish observe them daily or weekly, either alone or in groups.

I actually was Catholic for around 10 years, so I am pretty familiar with the devotion. However, I left the RCC for various reasons. Actually, I still attend Eucharistic Adoration a few times a month at a local RCC. That said, visiting some different churches to see how they set them up would be of value.

I didn’t forget the Catholic Church and neither did the OP hence why he put ‘Lutheran’ in parentheses. I initially offered the Episcopal Church because they and the ELCA are in communion with each other.

This is true, I know the Catholic church does it, I did not think of the EC, but that is a good place to look since as you mention they are in full communion with the ELCA.

 

[Tigger45]

Our local Episcopal Cathedral has the stations of the cross posted throughout the sanctuary and sets aside times during Lent that those who choose can come together and participate with others.

 

[Shane R]

I talked to Bp. Heiser yesterday (ELDoNA). They seem to be generally high church. Next time I chat with him, I'll ask if this devotion is common in their parishes.

I forgot to ever report on this. The Stations are not a common devotion in ELDoNA.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Not common, but not unheard of in LCC and LCMS.