Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

I have come to cherish Good Friday when we mix contemporary music, post-modern art with the ancient readings and prayers of sacred tradition. And we will do it again on Friday, March 21st at 7 PM at First Church on Park Square (27 East Street, Pittsfield, MA).

This year's "Liturgy of the Nails" retells the Passion of Christ using scripture, the music of George Harrison, Cat Power, Over the Rhine, U2, Joan Osborne and the Beatles as well as a host of visual images. For the past six years, I have been experimenting with ways to reclaim the ancient Good Friday liturgy so that the reality and spirituality of the Cross isn't frozen in time. This is also part of our commitment to"Free Jesus" from all "isms" be they of the Right or the Left. It is also a chance for our emerging band to shine and the voices of my colleagues, Dianne and Jenna, are heavenly.

One of the Good Friday prayers puts it like this: Gracious and Eternal God, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed into the hands of his adversaries and to suffer death upon the cross; and grant us to rejoice in the benefits of his passion; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.



For an encounter in radical incarnational spirituality - and some GREAT music - join us at 7 PM.