In addition to the traditional Lenten and Holy Week church services leading up to Easter Sunday on March 31, this year St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St., Marlborough, will offer a Prayer Path, open to the public on Monday, March 25 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm and Tuesday, March 26 from 5-7:30 pm.
“This year's path will guide people through interactive stations that lead them through confession, forgiveness, grace, and gratitude as they prepare their hearts to enter Holy Week,” said St. Stephen pastor Rheanna Goodrich. The prayer path will be located inside the sanctuary and people are welcome to take a quiet break from their routine for a meditative prayer-walk. Prayer paths in early Christianity were often formed as labyrinths, with a single continuous path. Unlike a maze, which is designed to be confusing, a labyrinth leads you to a center. Dating from the 12th Century, prayer paths were established as part of, or an alternative to pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Chartres Cathedral in France is considered to have one of the most visited Medieval labyrinths, established in the 13th Century. Labyrinths, both outdoors and inside, have had a resurgence in popularity over the past 20 years, and are used by both religious and secular groups. They can be found in churches, parks, hospitals, and retreat centers. In Christianity, prayer paths are considered walking prayers that can lead people closer to God. In addition to the prayer path, St. Stephen Lutheran Church offers these worship services during Holy Week: Palm Sunday Worship, 10 am on March 24; Maundy Thursday Worship, 7 pm on March 28; Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 7 pm on March 29 Festive Easter Vigil, 7:15 (sunset) March 30 Festive Easter Worship, 10 am March 31. Easter Brunch follows the Sunday service. All are welcome. For more information about the church, visit www.sslcma.org or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org). The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Stow, Bolton and Worcester.
0 Comments
|
Categories |