Photo (c) 2012 John M. KIngery
Station 12: Jesus Dies on the Cross (Apartments)
Theme: Jesus stands with the homeless
Tema: Jesús está con los que están sin casa
Scripture: Luke 23: 44-46
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
Reflection by Mark Forker of Habitat for Humanity: Every day in Washington County, low income, hardworking families struggle to find affordable housing. The recession, job insecurity, unemployment and rapidly rising rents force families to live in unsafe, unhealthy and overcrowded conditions. Families are forced to move frequently – children transfer from school to school making it difficult to receive a quality education. In the Beaverton School District alone, 1,800 students are reported to be homeless. And so the cycle of poverty continues.
Believing decent shelter is a matter of conscience and action, Habitat works to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness one house, one family at a time. Beginning in 2008, the St. Pius X Community has sponsored two homes with Willamette West Habitat for Humanity. We worked alongside the Martinez family of four and the Monterroso family of five. Today both families are homeowners, living and thriving in simple, decent and affordable homes
In 2012, St. Pius X Community sponsored another home as part of an Interfaith Build in Aloha. This year, we will again sponsor a home as part of an Interfaith Build in Hillsboro. To date, Willamette West Habitat for Humanity has placed 86 local families in simple, decent homes. 147 adults and 249 children have escaped the cycle of poverty to achieve a better life. For families struggling just to survive, Habitat’s self-help housing program is a beacon of hope.
Annually, 50 families apply for a Habitat home with Willamette West, yet current funds can only support 5-6 homes a year. Let us pray that more of God’s people will hear the call to work tirelessly to eradicate the social injustices of poverty housing and homelessness.
Prayers: We thank you for the homes we have, and remember that our resources are a gift from you. WE THANK YOU, LORD
Petitions: Let us pray for those suffering with homelessness or enduring poverty housing and remember that they need our help. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
Let us pray for Habitat for Humanity, who in our own community and around the world works with our neighbors to build simple homes and neighborhoods for the working poor. O GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER
We commit ourselves to see the homeless, and to support organizations who work to alleviate homelessness. O LORD, WE WANT TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS
LET THE BEAVERTON FOURSQUARE, CEDAR HILLS UCC AND VILLAGE BAPTIST COMMUNITIES TAKE UP THE CROSS
Song: Vengan a la Cruz, Adoremos (repeat as often as desired)