There's a place here for you
We are worshiping in our sanctuary each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with safety protocols.
GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS.
celebrate resurrection
We invite you to worship with us on Easter Sunday at 9 a.m. Please wear a mask for the safety of all.
Good Friday PRAYER WALK
Walking With Jesus through Suffering Today
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church will host a Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross beginning at noon Good Friday, April 2.
The approximately one-mile, one-hour trek is a prayer walk starting at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, (480 Diagonal Street—a block north of Main at 5th—we will meet outside the church) making a total of twelve stops as it winds down to the river. It will feature music by soloist Aaron Gentes and readings and prayers led by Pastor Laura Gentry and members of the church.
The Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross, commemorates Jesus’ journey as he carried his cross to die on Calvary. The devotion originated with pilgrims in Jerusalem retracing the traditional steps Jesus is believed to have followed on Good Friday. For centuries, Christians have practiced it as a way to relate to the suffering of their Lord.
The Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross invites us to reflect on the ways in which Christ continues to suffer. Jesus, the poor one, bears the burden of his people. Carrying the cross, he carried them, and he carries us. The cross represents the whole history of hatred, injustice, discrimination, oppression, and violence of the world—a world Christ came to redeem. As Christians, this is our mission, which is why at Baptism and whenever we renew our Baptismal vows, we promise to “work for justice and peace in all the earth”.
Carrying a large wooden cross, the group will make stops at places symbolic of suffering today. There they will ponder the deeper roots of pain, sing and pray for God’s blessing upon our community as well as the world. The final stop will be at the Mississippi River representing the promise of resurrection and new life.
All are welcome to join the prayer walk for all or part of the journey. Homemade signs with messages of peace and justice are encouraged. Please stand a six foot distance from other participants. Those with mobility issues may travel by car and park at each of the stops.
The stations will be as follows:
STATION 1: JESUS PRAYS IN THE GARDEN OF OLIVES
Location: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
STATION 2: JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH
Location: Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home
STATION 3: JESUS IS FLOGGED & CROWED WITH THORNS
Location: Schweitzer Chiropractic Clinic
STATION 4: JESUS FALLS
Location: Kee High School
STATION 5: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS
Location: Kwik Star
STATION 6: JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS
Location: Lansing Lift Food Shelf
STATION 7: JESUS COMFORTS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
Location: Lansing City Park
STATION 8: SIMON CARRIES THE CROSS OF JESUS
Location: Fire Station
STATION 9: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS
Location: Lansing City Hall
STATION 10: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
Location: Flag Pole (by Fire Station)
STATION 11: WATER FLOWS FROM JESUS’ SIDE
Location: River Front
STATION 12: WE AWAIT RESURRECTION
Location: River Front
This Good Friday prayer walk highlighting the ways in which Jesus continues to suffer today flows from the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, of which Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Lansing is a part.
The ELCA is a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. As part of this call, we seek the common good for society, provide moral vision and are committed to addressing social and cultural injustices and issues. The ELCA participates in God’s just and loving purpose for all of creation in many different ways, from the daily actions of members as citizens, to efforts in social service, to public witness for justice.
In response to God’s gracious love that seeks justice, the ELCA equips and nurtures us for our callings in the world, fosters social service and ministries of mercy, encourages learning and moral deliberation around social and cultural concerns, enacts social teaching and policy documents, interprets and applies social policy, and partners with agencies, organizations and institutions dedicated to service and justice.
While this service brought up some pressing social concerns, there are many more for people of faith to address. We hope it invites you into greater participation for the sake of the world God loves. Resources for advocacy, social messages and statements adopted by the ELCA can be found at:
https://www.elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society
Following the event, it will be posted at the church’s YouTube channel.
YOU ARE A PART OF THE TEAM
We are so grateful for your partnership in our ministry. Thank you for your continued financial contributions, which can be mailed to: Our Savior's Lutheran Church, PO Box 147, Lansing, Iowa 52151.
WE WELCOME ALL BECAUSE GOD WELCOMES ALL!
WE ARE A CONGREGATION OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
“Faith is God’s work in us. It changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. This faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.
It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly." —Martin Luther
