By Pastor James Fritsche

When visiting China some years ago, Nancy and I visited a beautiful building called the “Temple of Heaven”.  Officially it’s known as the “Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.  It is where the emperor would go twice a year to offer sacrifices for good harvests.  Approaching the temple, you see a raised pathway.  Only the emperor was permitted to travel on this pathway.  Only the emperor could enter the center door of the temple.  

Jesus Christ traveled a road that no one else could ever travel.  It’s often called the Via Dolorosa or “road of sorrows”.  It was a solitary journey that led him from the upper room on Maundy Thursday, to Gethsemane where He prayed and was betrayed by Judas and arrested. It took him before the Sanhedrin where He was condemned, to Pontius Pilate’s palace where He was judged, to the courtyard where he was flogged by Roman soldiers.  The path of suffering continued through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha where our Lord was crucified.  Ultimately that path ended at the tomb, sealed with a heavy stone.

That’s where the Via Dolorosaended.  But our Lord’s journey continued when, on the third day, He burst forth from the tomb and proclaimed His victory over death and the grave.  We invite you to join us on this amazing journey and celebrate Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection.  Holy Week services will be held on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Check our calendar for dates and times.