First experienced by theStory , Good Friday 2008 

Video: Clips filmed by Branden Dale and Joe Manafo (except for Bono speech), edited by Joe Manafo. All videos can be downloaded and saved appropriatly at www.vixy.net .

Images: All images courtesy of the world wide web and The Passion in Art

Supplies: potted tree, dry leaves, journals and pens, cue cards and markers, communion supplies, 8 laptops, clothes pins.

Thanks: Nathan for his computer wizardry, theStory for taking the risk, Richard Harries for the insparation found in The Passion in Art

Can I use this?: This resource is FREE for you to use under the Creative Commons Liscence Agreement.

Brief Synopsis: The intent of this event was to raise the question; What does Jesus look like upon his death? Travelling through time, theology and persepective, the images shown speak of people working out their faith outloud, each observing Jesus from a different point of view, thus adding another piece to the puzzle. And on Good Friday, we too stare at the cross, faced with the same query. 

Each section is concurrently accompanied by the corresponding image and corresponding video (video's loop for the duration of the event after they've been turned on at the appropriate juncture).  Also, the eucharist was split into to parts...wine on Friday, bread on Sunday. The reason we tried this was to create the uneasy sense that Christ's work wasn't complete until He rose again. Hopefully the day and a half gap between elements drove the point home.

“I Witness”
Good Friday 2008

(Curator & musician(s) off to the side as to not obstruct the view of the images & tree)

Image: Eye on Record

Opening:
Is mystery more important than knowledge? When we mix confusion with wonder, sorrow with hope, is our end goal to know all the facts and have a grasp on the situation or is there something else, something just beyond our reach, something we know, yet don’t fully understand. 

Today we find ourselves embroiled in a paradox of emotions – we both celebrate and mourn Christ’s death.

Today is about pain, suffering, sorrow, degradation and the brutality of sin.

Today we find ourselves at the foot of a tree, our eyes recording information, our brains and souls organizing this data the best it can, creatively filling in the gaps with homemade and borrowed symbols, experiences, ideas and images.

Today we leverage these things in an attempt to decipher what has happened. We need to do this in honesty, and admit that we are not able to look at the cross objectively since each of us is covered in the fingerprints of our upbringing and contexts.  The risk we take is that our fears, pre-suppositions and agendas will be exposed, and at worst, or maybe best, challenged.
 
Today we gaze at the cross, and ask the question: What does a dying God look like? What does He look like from where you sit? What has He looked like from the vantage point  of those who have come before us?

Today we’re going to hopscotch through symbols and imagery of the last 2000 years, we will eaves drop on people who were working out their theology out loud through art, and hopefully today, we will be able to immerse ourselves in what is both the highlight of the Christian calendar but at the same time, our darkest hour.

=>DESCRIPTION OF MORNING

Scripture: Luke 23:33-46
=>BLOW OUT CHRIST CANDLE
Response:  Hymn: Wonderful Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

1. 33 Laps Around the Sun

Eyes: Wide Open, blinking; a child’s eyes

Historical Image Description:
In the earliest depictions of the Passion that have survived, Christ is shown alive on the cross.  The reason for this and the eventual move to show Christ dead on the cross is intimately related to the theological controversies of the time.  The major theological issue that concerned the Church from the fourth to the eighth centuries, in one aspect or another, was the person of Christ.  The church came to assert that he is truly God and truly human, yet he remains one undivided person. If this is the case then how should Christ be depicted on the cross? If he was simply shown dead, or in the tomb, people might wonder what had happened to his divinity. So it would seem that from the fourth to the end of the seventh centuries artists tried to avoid controversial questions by not showing him dead on the cross at all. In that ear, Christ was at times shown with arms outstretched, head upright and eyes open, very much alive.  However, between the seventh and eighth century, it seems the church resolved its doctrinal dilemmas leaving the way open to find artistic ways to represent all aspects of Christ’s nature. Thus, as in this image from the 11th century, Christ would be shown dead on the cross, indicating he was indeed fully human, experiencing death just like us.

Corporate Reading: Philippians 2:5-8

Counter Image: Roadside Monument image

Counter Image Thoughts: What does it mean for us to see God as a human? To acknowledge that divinity fused with humanity in such a way words like frail, tired, & hungry could now be used to describe God. How do we use human language and symbol to speak of God made man, enduring 33 laps around the sun, then succumbing to a fate no human can escape.

In thanks, today we erect a roadside monument, a makeshift shrine.  The road is stained and marked, leaving a reminder of what happened, but at the same time it continues on, hinting at life beyond death.

Creative Response: In a journal write a prayer of thanks.
Music: I Remember by The Violet Burning; lyrics on slide

Oh how sweet is the blood of Jesus
That was poured out for me
Oh how lovely is the face beaten for me
Oh how sweet, is the blood of the Lamb

For the life You gave I could never repay
The precious blood poured out for me

I remember Your body
I remember Your blood
I remember You died for me
I remember Your love for me
Your sweet, precious love.


2. Both at Once

Eyes: Upward in reverence and awe

Hstorical Image: Volto Santo (Holy Face)

Historical Image Description:

In this carving, named ‘Volto Santo’ or ‘Holy Face’ we see Christ in triumph, reigning from the tree. He is depicted in a long sleeved robe, with a distinctive knotted belt, rather than in a loin-cloth and half naked. His two feet are separated but not nailed.  At the time sculpture was created, the book of Revelation played a distinct role in the spiritual life of the church. In chapter 1 of Revelation, Christ is described as a high priest ‘clothed with a long robe and with a golden belt.’ Here we catch a glimpse of a Christ that is not only crucified but also who intercedes for us as priest and king.

Corporate Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," God said. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Counter Image:  I.O.U. image

Counter Image Thoughts: When we come to the realization that we have nothing apart from Christ, when we finally arrive at the place of submission, where we admit that we are broken and weak, it is then, and only then that Christ can invade us, relieve us, redeem us, and strengthen us.

Creative Response: Silence & Prayer: In a moment of silence and prayer, ask God to break you. If you dare, pray that your hopes, fears, ego and self-worth be submitted to Him fully that His power would be made perfect in your weakness.


3. Oh God, Where are you Now?

Eyes: shifting everywhere looking around, blinking

Historical Image: Menorah by Roger Wagner, 1993 

Historical Image Description:

“God where are you?  Where were you?” are sentiments that some have been brave enough to verbalized, and all have fearlessly thought. This image, entitled Menorah, dares to voice the question.  In the foreground are victims. They convey an impression of utter, abject grief. To the left a man, staring in horror, comforts his wife. One man hides his head and bends low, unable to look anywhere; two others cover their faces with their hands as a woman looks away while she and the man next to her hold out their arms in anger and dismay.  The sense of impotence and dismay make them speechless. Beyond them hang Jesus and the two thieves. Motionless. Abandoned. In the background, 7 smokestacks, arranged to resemble the Menorah, a Jewish candle stick symbolizing the presence of God.  This image begs the question, ‘Oh God, where are you now?”

Corporate Reading: Psalm 22:1-11

Counter Image: Holy Toast  image

Counter Image Thoughts:

Is our God a God who only makes guest appearances, randomly surfacing on slices of bread and in crazed visions? Why does he appear to be speaking loud and clear to others and not me? Why does it sometimes seem that when we need him most He’s the furthest away? Can He hear me scream? Can He hear me whisper? Where did he go?

Creative Response: Listen: Oh God, Where are you Now by Suftjan Stevens (lyrics on screen)


4.  Between Thieves

Eyes: Scowl, Disbelief, Offended, Angry

Historical Image: The First Depiction of Christ on the Cross, 5th Century 

  Historical Image Description:

The death sentence of a common thief? What an embarrassment, the Son of God hanging from a tree depicted here for the first time, at sompoint in the fifth century.  Filling out the scene we find John his disciple, Mary his mother, and a soldier with spear in hand. Also pictured, in deliberate contrast, is Judas the traitor. Judas too is hanging on a tree, thirty pieces of silver spilled out onto the ground at his feet. The branch bends, almost breaking, with his weight. Christ however, appears strong, muscular, and fully alive. This is no defeated Christ: his eyes are open and head upright, his chest pushed outwards and his arms firmly stretched.

But why were the first Christians so reluctant to show Christ crucified on the Cross? Why wait until the 5th century? One reason may be that the crucifixion was, quite simply, a form of public execution, a horrible judicial torture.  To an onlooker, crucifixion conveyed not only agony but disgrace. The cross as capital punishment was an affront, an assertion of lawlessness. With this in mind, there was little motive to display Christ on the Cross and every social reason why this should not be done. However, in the late 4th century and during the 5th, Christians did begin to depict Christ on the cross.  This clearly had something to do with the fact that the emperor Constantine abolished crucifixion as a form of public execution when he became a Christian.  It was fitting, then, for Christ to be shown on the Cross, for his death would no longer be interpreted as the death of a criminal, but as the saving act of a God in whom even the Emperor now believed.

Though executed as a common thief, Christ reigns from the tree with strength and power.

Corporate Reading: Romans 12:9-21

Counter Image:  Between Thieves Image

Counter Image Thoughts:

Between friends. Between a rock and a hard place. Between two worlds. Between thieves.  Being caught in the middle leaves us feeling like we belong to neither side.   But what if  instead of feeling trapped and out of options, we were to consider our self awareness as marching orders? What if like Christ, we’ve been commissioned to bring hope to those who have none? On our shift as the church, what if evil was overpowered by good?

Creative Response: Watch: Bono Video (4:25-end)

Historical Image:  The Incredulity of Thomas, 420 

Historical Image Description:

This piece is entitled “The Incredulity of Thomas”. Here Thomas is shown pointing at a wound in Christ’s left side. Christ holds his left hand high displaying the spot where he was pierced by the spike. Above his head are the words ‘the doors were locked’ from John 20:26 referencing that no doors or even the grave could keep him captive. This scene became a standard and was reproduced countless times over subsequent centuries.

However, what’s most intriguing about this particular version is the alteration inflicted by an unknown contributor. At some point in time, someone felt compelled to scratch out Thomas’ face, likely villanized for asking the question that everyone was thinking: “Jesus, is it really you?”

Corporate Reading: Matthew 18:1-5

Counter Image:  Doubt image

Counter Image Description:

Are there any ‘faceless’ amongst us? If so, wear it like a badge of honour. Never be afraid to ask the hard questions. For too long has the good new of Jesus been sequestered from healthy questions and sincere doubt, from those genuinely curious about the cross. Thomas asked because he sought the truth. How can one answer if no one dares ask? From the cross Jesus calls us to come close, to come as children, and find rest for our souls.

Creative Response: Hymn: Come All You Weary by Thrice

Come all you weary with your heavy loads
Lay down your burdens find rest for your souls
Cause my yoke is easy and my burden is kind
I’ll take yours upon me and you can take mine

Come all you weary move through the earth
Surrounded by rest stones and kicked out of church
A couple of loaves sit down at my feet
Lend me your ears and break bread with me

Come all you weary
Come gather round near me
Find rest for your souls

Come all you weary, crippled you lay
I’ll help you along you can lay down your canes
We’ve got a long way to go but we’ll travel as friends
The lights growing bright further on towards the end


6. Sweet Jesus

Eyes: Tearing, crying

Historical Image: Isenheim Altarpiece, 16th Century 

Historical Image Description: Christians had often found it impossible to believe that the divine Son of God should be shown weak and suffering on the cross. But  we must understand that the weakness and suffering of Christ on the cross is an essential element to our faith. The Son of God became fully human in all aspects sharing our suffering to the full, in order that He might redeem us.  Interestingly, it was not until the 14h century that Christ was depicted with a crown of thorns, instead, He was shown crowned with a halo or golden wreath symbolizing majesty and victory. In some ways, that approach may have lent itself to skipping past the brutality of his death in favour of the ultimate outcome. In this piece from the 15th century, Christ  is shown in sheer agony: mouth open, eyes closed and brow furrowed, stomach drawn in to the spinal column, his flesh dreadfully marked. This portrayal of Christ expresses, in the most brutally realistic way, the conviction that God himself in Christ experiences the violence of human life, of which people in the 15th century and even now in the 21st century were and are so very conscious.

Scripture:  John 15:9-14a

Counter Image: Testamints

Counter Image Thoughts:
How do you make attractive that which is not?
How do you sell emptiness, vulnerability, and non-success?
How do you talk descent when everything is about ascent?
How can you possibly market letting-go in a capitalist culture?
How do you talk about dying to a church trying to appear perfect?
How do you package spilled blood?
How can a sweet taste come from a bitter cup?

Creative Response: Read Together: For Miles

I know one day, all our scars will disappear, like the stars at dawn
And all of our pain, will fade away when morning comes
On that day when we look backwards we will see, that everything is changed
And all of our trials, will be as milestones on the way

Together:
As long as we live, every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart
For there's no greater love, than the One who shed his blood for his friends

On that day all of the scales will swing to set all the wrongs to right
All of our tears, and all of our fears will take to flight
But until then, all of our scars will still remain, but we've learned that if we
Open the wounds and share them, then soon they start to heal

Together:
As long as we live, every scar is a bridge to someone's broken heart
For there's no greater love, than the One who shed his blood for his friends

We must see that every scar as a bridge
We must open up these wounds

When someone stands in your shoes and will shed his own blood
There's no greater love

Together:
We must open up these wounds


7. My Personal Jesus

Eyes: closed

Historical Image Description:
In the period between1300-1500, religious art ceased to be a purely public matter. Images were present in peoples homes and went with them on their travels. Very often someone who commissioned a work of religious art would have their own image, worshipping Christ, incorporated in the picture. Religious manuals encouraged the supplicant to imagine that they were actually present in the scene, holding the Christ Child or suffering with the adult Christ.  By the 17th century, the portrayal of Jesus alone on the cross became popular.  Before this time it was common to show other people present, and often the scenes became very crowded and dramatic. Yet here we find Christ alone. 

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Counter Image: Consumer Christ

Counter Image Description:

Did Jesus simply die so that I could live the good life? Or does His death go beyond my individual life and individual wants and needs? At times the good news of Jesus has been tampered with, leveraging the needs of one people group over another.  On other occasions, the good news of Jesus has been used to promote a lifestyle or even instigate war.

Let the truth be told:

Jesus died for the rich and the poor.
Jesus died for the victim and the assailant.
Jesus died for the Canadian and the Iraqi.
Jesus died for all.
Jesus died for the sake of sinners.

On the tree, Jesus bore the weight of humanity’s guilt, corruption and rebellion so that all could be redeemed.

So that all could be redeemed.

So that all could be redeemed.

Including, but not limited to, you.


Creative Response: Today, may we recognized our participation in Christ’s death. Symbolically, let us write our names and on these cards then hang them on the tree representing the sins that Christ bore on our behalf.

Next, unearth a cup that represents the spilt blood of Christ, then, be seated until all have been served. We will then drink together.


Ending Thoughts/ EyeWitness

Eyes: Staring back

*if you care to see more photos, go here . 

*and if you're curious, this is what the room looked like on Resurrection Sunday (before the kids played their part)

 (after the kids played their part)

As part of our Xmas gatherings at theStory, we put together the following Worship Installations to provoke thought and renew focus on what this season is all about. Feel free to use, tweak and reinvent the following:

1. Welcome to Our Home
Idea: Participant has to physically lower themselves (as Christ did) to see images of the world that Christ came to, our home.
Supplies: Welcome mat, photos from Century , printed excerpt from Philippians 2

2. Take Christ our of Christmas
Idea: Playing on the idea of ‘keeping the Christ in Christmas’, we reversed the thought and tried to create and image of what Christmas truly stands for today, and how it has nothing to do with Christ.
Supplies: Christmas flyers, printed text: Please take the Christ out of Christmas. Now.

3. The Big Picture
Idea: Reminding people why Christ came, and where he came to.
Supplies: Printed text: What’s the Big Picture? Jesus came into the word to save sinners; printed mural of the globe. (you can blow up any picture and make it mural size here.)

4. Voices
Idea: What have people said about Christ? Who do they think he is?
Supplies: Old school microphone, printed quotes:
“I like your Christ, but don’t like your Christians. You Christians are so unlike your Christ.” (Ghandi)
“If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, then look more redeemed” (Neitzche)
“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” (Mother Theresa)
“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” (Napoleon Bonaparte)
“Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is himself the way.” ( Karl Barth)
“I Like this quote I dislike this quote”I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong.” (John Lennon)
“No man ever loved like Jesus. He taught the blind to see and the dumb to speak. He died on the cross to save us. He bore our sins. And now God says, ‘Because He did, I can forgive you.”” (Billy Graham)
“The authors of the gospels were unlettered and ignorant men and the teachings of Jesus have come to us mutilated, misstated and unintelligible” (Thomas Jefferson)
“Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said, Bob, why are you resisting me? I said, I’m not resisting you! He said, You gonna follow me? I said, I’ve never thought about that before! He said, When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.” (Bob Dylan)
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” (Bridget Willard)
“The good news is that Jesus is coming back. The bad news is that he’s really pissed off.” (Bob Hope)

5. Xmas Comix
Idea: Taking a comical look at how Christmas is viewed and experienced.
Supplies: printed comics

6. The First Noel: The Birth of Christ under the Shroud of Genocide
Idea: Juxtaposing the lyrics from ‘The First Noel’ with Matthew 2:16’s description of the genocide caused by the birth of Christ
Supplies: Paper, knick knacks, marker

7. Out of Order
Idea: the image of the gum ball machine evokes for our community (due to the series we just finished) the idea of the broken world that we find ourselves in. However, we also understand that along with Christ we are working towards the redemption of all people and all creation.
Supplies: gum ball machine, hammer and nails, icon, broken stuff, printed text: We are Christ’s fellow Workers (Ephesians )

8. Suggestion Box
Idea: suggestion box directed at God
Supplies: ballot box, paper, marker

9. Born to Die
Idea: Remind participants of the culmination of Christ’s incarnation.
Supplies: Tree of Life image, printed text: Luke 24:44

10. Moved into the Neighbourhood
Idea: A little background info on the idea of Jesus ‘tabernacling’ or, in fact, ‘tenting’ among us. Included in this installation: historical background on ‘tabernacling’; a tent, and the Moved In short film playing on a laptop inside the tent.
Supplies: Tent, Film, Laptop, info.