"Walk With Me"
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Walk with Me”?
Walk With Me is a self-guided, self-paced devotional journey of the events from Christ’s final days leading up to His crucifixion and burial. Each station will contain a visual representation of that event. These are not vignettes – there are no actors, no dramatization. These are merely visual aids to assist the participants in their journey. A devotional booklet will be provided for participants to direct them through the various stations. The booklet will explain each station, and include directions for participating in the interactive experiences as well as recording thoughts, prayers and/or questions. A separate “child-friendly” booklet will be provided for younger children.
The seven stations, taken from Mark’s Gospel, are as follows:
1. Jesus Anointed at Bethany
2. The Last Supper
3. The Garden at Gethsemane
4. Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
5. Peter’s Denial of Jesus
6. Jesus before Pilate
7. Jesus’ crucifixion
8. The burial
When will it take place?
You will have the opportunity to participate in Walk With Me on either Wednesday, April 4, Thursday, April 5 or Friday, April 6. Each station will be limited to 40 participants. To ease traffic flow, time-designated tickets will be available (free of charge) beginning March 11. The first group will begin at 5:30pm each evening; the final group will begin at 8:00pm each evening. While each person will be free to spend as much time as desired at each station, you should expect each station to take app. 10 minutes to complete. The entire journey will take approximately 1 hour, 10 minutes to complete. This will take the place of the traditional Good Friday service.
Are children invited to participate?
Yes. A special child-friendly devotional booklet will be provided so that families can experience the journey together. PLEASE NOTE: Families with children age 3 – 10 are encouraged to participate during our Family Night on Wednesday, April 4, between 5:30pm and 8:00pm. Additional volunteers will be on hand to assist you. To encourage families to experience this event together, nursery will not be provided.
Is there a charge?
No. Tickets and devotional booklets will be provided free of charge.
Will there be an opportunity to take communion?
Yes. Participants will be given the opportunity to partake of communion in small groups of 8 – 10 people at Station 2.
Will the stations be fully accessible?
Yes. All stations will be located on the first floor of Mount Paran North.
How will I know where to go?
All participants will enter and exit through the main Lobby. Signs will be posted outside the facility as well as throughout the first floor hallways. Volunteers will be on hand to direct you and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, a map of the journey will be provided in the devotional booklet. A preview of the map is available here.
What type of experience can I expect?
Click here for a sample devotional from Station 1: Jesus Anointed at Bethany.
Is this similar to a Stations of the Cross service?
Yes. This type of service goes by many names including Stations of the Cross, Via Dolorosa, The Way of Sorrows, Via Crucis, and The Way of the Cross. The service has a long history dating back to the late fourth century when pilgrims from all over the world traveled to the Holy Land to retrace the steps of Jesus. During the time of the Crusades (1095-1270), it became popular to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary, stopping at various stations along the actual streets through Jerusalem to reflect and meditate on Christ’s suffering. By the mid-18th Century, demand for the pilgrimage was very great yet impractical for most followers. Thus, visual representations of the various stations from Jerusalem were set up inside churches and followers would move from station to station praying and meditating just as many others had done in the actual streets of Jerusalem.
The traditional Stations of the Cross service consists of prayers and meditations on 14 occurrences that were experienced by Jesus on His way to the crucifixion. Our journey will incorporate 8 major events taken from Mark’s Gospel. The purpose of Walk With Me, much like a prayer walk, is to guide the faithful and the seeking as they make a spiritual journey that closely follows the path walked by Jesus on His way to the cross, death, and ultimate resurrection.
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