Hundreds gathered in Fort Langley on Good Friday, March 29, for the Stations of the Cross, to tell the story of Jesus, the Cross, and Easter with a movable service stopping at six different places.
Fort Langley’s Stations of the Cross has been held every Good Friday at the village for more than 20 years, a collaboration of the churches of Fort Langley, including the Fort Langley Community Church, Living Waters Church, Parish of St. George – Anglican Church of Canada, United Churches of Langley and Wagner Hills Farm Society ministries.
In a joint statement, the churches said the cross has stood “as a symbol of togetherness and hope.”
“When we stand with the cross, we are saying we are, in fact, all in this together. We’re together in the pain, suffering and brokenness of the world. We’re together in the knowledge that we’ve all in some way or another contributed to that brokenness. But – and this is why the cross has meant so much for so long – we’re also together in hope. The cross says that the world has a way forward – a way of love, of peace, of selflessness.”
Accompanied by music, and prayers, worshipers took turns carrying a cross to locations around downtown Fort Langley to reflect Christ’s journey, beginning with station 1, Jesus Prays in the Garden, at Fort Langley Community Hall, offered by Wagner Hills Farm Society.
Station 2, Jesus Willingly Gives His Life, at St. George’s Anglican Church, was offered by Fort Langley Community Church
Station 3, Peter and the Disciples Forsake Jesus, at Living Waters Church, was offered by Living Waters Church
Station 4, Jesus appears before Pilate, at Living Waters Church, was offered by Living Waters Church
Station 5, Jesus is Mocked, Beaten, Crucified and Forgives, at United Churches of Langley (St. Andrews Chapel) was offered by United Churches of Langley.
Finally, station 6 – Jesus Dies and is Laid in the Tomb, at Fort Langley Cemetery was offered by Fort Langley Community Church
In his closing remarks and prayer, Pastor Jason Lavergne offered blessings to all on the holy weekend.
“Let us await the resurrection of the Christ with quiet contemplation at the foot of the cross, and joyful anticipation of life eternal,” Pastor Lavergne said.
Held around the world, the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows, evolved from the Via Dolorosa (Latin for ‘Sorrowful Way’) in Jerusalem, a traditional processional route symbolising the path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary.
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