Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church

The Youth at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church are not our future.... but our present.

Stations of the Cross - Presented by the
Youth Group

Jesus is condemned to death. Look at the man sitting. He is Pontius Pilate. He is the Roman Governor and the most powerful man in Judea. Angry people have told lies about Jesus, and they want Pilate to kill him. Pilate knows Jesus is an innocent man. He knows He should not be killed. But Pilate is afraid. He wants angry people to like him and be his friends, or he might lose his job. So he tells them, "Go ahead and kill Jesus."

Jesus meets His mother. Look at that lady reaching out to Jesus from the crowd. She is His mother, Mary. She comes close and her face is full of tears. Tears are on Jesus' cheeks, too.

Simon helps Jesus carry His cross.Look at that man helping Jesus carry the cross. This is Simon of Cyrene. He was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast when he was stopped and told to help carry Jesus' cross. At first Simon did not like having to help Jesus. He thinks; “Why must I help this man? Who is He that the crowd so hates him.” He has these doubts and questions because Simon did not know Jesus. But later, when he found out who Jesus was, he was proud that he had helped to carry the cross.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Look at that woman standing before Jesus. We call her Veronica, a poor Jewish woman who sees love in this man’s face. She has pushed her way through the crowd to get to Jesus. That was a brave thing to do with all those rough people around to scare her. She does not understand how they can look at his kind, loving face and do these terrible things to him.

Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Jesus dies on the cross. Look at Jesus hanging on the cross. He has been there for three hours. He hurts all over. He is so thirsty, but nobody brings any water. Jesus does not complain. He prays to His heavenly Father and tells Him that He has finished what had to be done. He bows His head and dies.

Jesus is taken down from the cross. Look at Jesus after His body has been taken down from the cross and the blood and dirt washed away. The sharp thorns have been taken off, too. Now he is lying on His mother's lap. She holds Him lovingly. She keeps saying His name over and over. How she loves him! Her heart is broken, but she does not cry or give up. She remembers about waiting three days.

Montreat
Youth
Retreat
2024

Youth Sunday

Today's message was brought to us by the

Class of 2024

Senior Sunday

To you graduates, you are embarking on a new journey, filled with possibilities and uncertainties. Embrace your role as clay jars, carry the precious light of Christ within you. Let this light shine through your words, and actions, let that light shine even through your struggles because you are called to illuminate the world around you. Also, recognize that your imperfections do not diminish your worth; let me say that again for everyone not just the graduates. Your imperfections do not diminish your worth rather, they highlight the profound truth that God’s
power is made perfect in weakness. Remember, the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells within you, equipping you to make
meaningful and lasting impacts on the world. Move forward with confidence, knowing that the treasure you carry is a beacon of hope and
transformation.—therefore live boldly and faithfully, live as vessels of God’s
extraordinary power in the world. Remember, even in your afflictions, perplexities, and challenges, you will not be crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. No…instead, the life of Jesus will be made visible in you, shining bright…As graduates, you stand at the threshold of a new chapter, a time of transition and opportunity.

Move forward confidently, knowing that you are instruments of change in God's hands.

Shine in the darkness with the light of Christ within you.

Proclaim His glory through your words and actions.

Trust that your efforts are part of a bigger picture, contributing to the betterment of the world and
the fulfillment of God's eternal plan.

Children of God, you are the light in this
world, carrying the extraordinary power of God within you. Go shine brightly
and embrace your role as world-changers, now and forever more.

Amen
and Amen

Stations of the Cross

Jesus is condemned to death. Look at the man sitting. He is Pontius Pilate. He is the Roman Governor and the most powerful man in Judea. Angry people have told lies about Jesus, and they want Pilate to kill him. Pilate knows Jesus is an innocent man. He knows He should not be killed. But Pilate is afraid. He wants the angry people to like him, to be his friends, or he might lose his job. So he tells them, "Go ahead and kill Jesus."

Step up close to Jesus. He hurts all over. His head aches. He is thirsty, but in His heart He is not sad like the people. He knows that what He chose to do was the right thing. Now He looks down at the men who nailed Him to the cross and He forgives them. Then He tells Mary to be a mother to all of us and to count us as her children. He keeps thinking of others even when he is dying.

Jesus is taken down from the cross. Look at Jesus after His body has been taken down from the cross and the blood and dirt washed away. The sharp thorns have been taken off, too. Now He is lying on His mother's lap. She holds Him lovingly. She keeps saying His name over and over. How she loves him! Her heart is broken, but she does not cry or give up. She remembers about waiting three days.