Emily Hoffman

When our congregation was worshiping virtually through the Lent, Easter, and Pentecost seasons of 2020, we developed outdoor worship stations to provide opportunities for church members to experience and celebrate the promises of Jesus’ ascension to heaven in person. We arranged the stations around our church building and made them available for an extended weekend following Ascension Day. For each station, we laminated a poster that included Scripture and catechism passages, instructions for the activity, and a reflection. Any necessary materials were available in weatherproof containers. With a little creative thought these worship stations could be adapted for an indoor experience.   INTRODUCTION After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days and then was taken up into heaven. It is easy to share his followers’ confusion and even dismay at the ascension, but this event is a reason for us to celebrate. Crucified, Christ put an end to sin and death; resurrected, he brings us to life with him; ascended, he reigns with the Father, intercedes for all believers, and promises to send the Holy Spirit to remain with us on earth. The ascension of our Lord is our assurance that there is a place in heaven for all who are raised with Christ. These worship stations use statements from the Heidelberg Catechism to help participants, celebrate, and experience what Ascension Day means. They may visit the stations in any order, and are encouraged to take time to wait for the Lord’s presence and to hear his voice in these activities. The Prayer Leaves, The Wind, and Gifts stations are adapted from “Outdoor Worship Stations” by Sara Hargreaves and Sam Hargreaves (engageworship.org/ideas/outdoor-worship-stations).   A PLACE FOR ME Materials for this station: bird’s nest (found or purchased) placed somewhere visible “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” —John 14:1–2 We have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 49b Think about a bird’s nest. How does its location, materials, and structure provide for the birds who live there? What does it mean to you that Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven? Take some time to hold your thoughts, feelings, and questions about this before the Lord. Before his suffering and death, Jesus comforted his disciples with the promise that although he was leaving them, he was going to heaven to prepare a place for them there. This echoes the language of marriage in Israel: the groom would go away to prepare a room for himself and his bride, and when it was ready he would bring her there for the marriage celebration. Our Lord’s ascension assures us that Jesus is preparing a place for each of us in heaven, and one day he will bring us there to live with him.   PRAYER LEAVES Materials for this station: paper leaves, ornament hangers, pens or markers Who then is the one that condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. —Romans 8:34 Christ is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 49a Write a prayer on one of the paper leaves and hang it on the tree. Remember that, just as our Father provides sunlight and water for the trees to grow, in Jesus’ name God hears our prayers and cares for our needs. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that Christ is the only one with authority to condemn us for our sins, and he died and was raised to life for us. Ascended to heaven, he is now our advocate in the presence of the Father. Jesus understands our needs and our struggles; he hears our prayers and intercedes for us in heaven.   THE WIND Materials for this station: wind sock (homemade or purchased), wind chimes And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:16–17 He sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge. By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 49c Think about the wind. What senses do you use to experience it? How is the wind useful to us? How do you experience the presence of the Holy Spirit? How does the Spirit help you? Pray that the Lord would help you to be open to the Holy Spirit’s work in you and to respond in faith. The Holy Spirit is one of the greatest promises of the ascension. While the resurrected Jesus was present on earth in only one place at a time, through the Spirit the ascended Christ is with us always, wherever we are. The Holy Spirit comforts us, corrects us, and guides us as we set our minds and our hearts on the kingdom work which Jesus has set out for us.   GIFTS Materials for this station: small paper cups, potting soil, seeds (quick-sprouting flowering plants work well) But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” —Ephesians 4:7–8 Through his Holy Spirit he pours out gifts from heaven upon us his members. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 51a Hold a seed in your hand and think about the spiritual gifts you recognize in your own life. Pray that the Lord will continue to show you the gifts he has for you and help you to use them for the good of his church. Fill a paper cup with soil and plant the seed. Take your seed with you to remind you that Christ has promised to work in you and through you by his Spirit—even when you may not see the fruit. Before he ascended to heaven, Jesus promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to his church. The Spirit comforts us, corrects us, and gives gifts of preaching, faith, wisdom, prophecy, evangelism, healing, and other skills that support and encourage the service of the church. The apostle Paul reminds us that our Lord gives many different gifts through the Holy Spirit, but they are all for the good of his people and their witness to the world.   WORTHY OF WORSHIP Materials for this station: a nearby tree And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. —Colossians 1:18 Christ ascended to heaven to show there that he is head of his church, the one through whom the Father rules all things. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 50 Look at this tree and think about how it gives glory to God. What does each part of the tree (trunk, branches, leaves, roots) teach you about worship? How can you worship in a similar way? What would it look like to offer every part of yourself to honor Christ? Take some time to place yourself before the Lord in worship. Resurrected and ascended, Jesus is the glorified head of the church. When we worship him, we participate with all the saints and angels in heaven who gather around his throne. We also join with all creation in giving glory to our creator. This is a joy and a responsibility, and we know that Christ is worthy of our praise.   FORGIVEN Materials for this station: wooden cross, hammer and nails, cards with the text of Colossians 2:13–14 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” —John 10:27–28 By his power he defends us and keeps us safe from all our enemies. Christ will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation, but will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 51b, 52a As you pick up a nail and feel it in your hand, think of a burden that you are carrying today. Maybe it is guilt or shame for something you have done wrong, or concern for someone you love. Hold this burden before the Lord. When you are ready, hammer the nail into the board and allow Jesus to take your burden. Take a card to remind you that Christ is the final victor over sin; nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from his love. Jesus used the image of a shepherd and sheep to describe his relationship to his followers. Just as a shepherd protects the flock from danger, our Lord provides us with safety from the work of the enemy. Ascended to heaven, Christ has been given all power to conquer sin and death. We trust in him to forgive our sins.   CONFIDENCE Materials for this station: hand-sized flat stones, a pre-made cairn But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. —Philippians 3:20–21 In all distress and persecution, with uplifted head, I confidently await the very judge who has already offered himself to the judgment of God in my place and removed the whole curse from me. —Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 52b Pick up a stone and feel its weight. Think and pray about what your citizenship in heaven means to you. Place your stone on or next to the cairn. Remember that your confidence is found in Christ alone, not in anything you can do or create. These stones are a symbol of our hope in Christ, both for you personally and for our collective church family. The ascended Christ reigns from heaven, and we wait for the day when he will return to bring us to himself. Trusting in Christ to sustain us through the troubles of our lives, this is our confidence and hope. When he returns in victory, we will no longer struggle against sin. Our bodies will be made new, and we will be raised to heaven with our Lord and Savior.

Each Advent, our congregation uses candles and an Advent wreath to mark the weeks of anticipation before Christmas. Lighting another candle each week helps us to measure the time of waiting, and the growing light reminds us of the ways Christ’s life illuminates our lives. This year, we echoed this Advent tradition by lighting candles on the six Sundays of Lent. While Lent is often understood as a time of gathering darkness as the church prepares to remember Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and death, experiencing the season with increasing candlelight was an opportunity for our congregation to consider the work of Christ in our lives and to remember our dependence on his light even in a world where darkness seems to reign. We took time in worship each Sunday to reflect on our journey toward the cross, hear Scripture, and light a purple candle. On Good Friday we held a Tenebrae service in which we extinguished the six Lenten candles plus the Christ candle as we remembered the darkness of Jesus’ Passion. As we celebrated the resurrection on Easter morning, we relit the Christ candle. The following readings accompanied the candlelighting each week. Each reading includes a narration exploring the theme of the sermon text for that day, followed by an encouragement from Scripture. The congregational response, repeated each week, highlights our dependence on Christ’s light as we follow him. Seasonal Introduction for the Bulletin During the season of Lent, the church travels with Jesus on the road to the cross. As we prepare to remember our Savior’s betrayal, arrest, suffering, and death, we reflect on what things in our lives we may need to put to death so we can live in the newness of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. We will mark the weeks of Lent by lighting candles in the sanctuary; these same candles will be extinguished on Good Friday as we remember the crucifixion. May the light of Christ shine more deeply into our hearts as we walk this road with him, revealing the darkness within us and making us new. Responsive Refrain Lord Jesus, as we walk with you through these forty days, let your light shine into our hearts. Brighten the darkness of our lives, and show us where we need to repent. In our thoughts, words, and actions, teach us to rely on you. Renew us as your people, that we may carry your light to the world. Candlelighting Readings First Sunday in Lent Matthew 21 As we enter the season of Lent, we look to Jesus, our Savior. We remember that he is our prophet, priest, and king; he has all authority in heaven and on earth; and he reigns as our risen Lord. It is through Christ’s sacrifice that we are able to come before our God, and so we look to him to save us and our world. Hear these words from Hebrews 4: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. —Hebrews 4:14–16 [The first candle is lit from the flame of the Christ candle.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Second Sunday in Lent Matthew 23 On this second Sunday of Lent, we hear Jesus crying, “Woe to you, hypocrites!” He condemns the Pharisees and the teachers of the law for doing religious works to be seen by others, for following the letter of the law without understanding its true meaning. We remember that we too are tempted by this kind of hypocrisy, wanting recognition, glory, and human approval more than God’s presence. Let us commit ourselves to sincere faith, which looks to God in honest humility, that we may be cleansed from our sins and do his will. Hear these words from Psalm 40: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—       but my ears you have opened—       burnt offerings and sin offerings       you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—       it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God;       your law is within my heart. —Psalm 40:6–8 [The second candle is lit.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Third Sunday in Lent Mark 13 Today is the third Sunday of Lent. This morning Jesus tells us to keep watch for signs of the arrival of the kingdom of heaven, when he will return in glory. Even though the world around us seems dark, we trust that the struggles we face will produce the fruit of righteousness in us as God works out his will in his beloved children. Let us be watchful and ready for Jesus’ work in us and through us. Hear these words from Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;       Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive       to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,       Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness,       so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,       and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord       more than watchmen wait for the morning,       more than watchmen wait for the morning. —Psalm 130:1–6 [The third candle is lit.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Fourth Sunday in Lent John 14 On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Jesus reminds us to prepare ourselves for the coming of his kingdom. He calls us to be faithful in continuing his work on earth: to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the captives, and release from darkness; to bind up the brokenhearted and comfort those who mourn. We commit ourselves to this work, confident in our hope for Christ’s return. Hear these words from Hebrews 12: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. —Hebrews 12:1–3 [The fourth candle is lit.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Fifth Sunday in Lent John 17 Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent. As we travel with Jesus toward the cross, we hear him praying for his disciples and for all who will believe in him. We remember that just as he prayed for us during his ministry on earth, the risen Christ continues to pray for us as he reigns in heaven. Let us take comfort in this promise and seek the unity that will display God’s glory to the world. Hear these words from Ephesians 4: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. —Ephesians 4:1–6 [The fifth candle is lit.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday) John 13:1–17; Luke 22:14–20, 39–46 This Palm Sunday, we are eager to join the people of Jerusalem in crying, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” But we remember how quickly these cries turned to words of hatred and condemnation as the people called for Jesus to be crucified. Because of his great love for us, this is how our Lord provides for our salvation: through his suffering and death, Jesus paid the price of all our sins, and through his resurrection, he brings us into new life. Hear these words from Colossians 2: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. —Colossians 2:13–15 [The sixth candle is lit.] Responsive Refrain See sidebar Easter Sunday Luke 24:1–12, 36–49 Today is Easter Sunday! The tomb is empty, and we celebrate the good news of the resurrection: Christ, who died for our sins, is risen, and we are raised to new life with him. Our lives are no longer our own, but because we belong to the risen Christ, we live by his Spirit. Hear these words from 2 Corinthians 5: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. —2 Corinthians 5:17–20 [The Christ candle is relit.] Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Including the Whole Church There are always individuals who are not able to physically join worship. Consider recording one such individual leading the first portion of the candlelighting liturgy and playing that video for the gathered worshipers. Then invite someone present to light the candle and lead the response.

These two services are based on the full texts of the letters of Ephesians and James, providing worshipers an opportunity to hear, dwell in, and reflect on God’s Word to each of us. This echoes the way the early church would have experienced these words—prayerfully listening as the letter was read aloud. In planning these services, we let the Scripture guide the order, pausing for praise, prayer, and reflection where the text suggests.