Several years ago our church creative arts ministry offered an event called “7” — a self-directed art-walk focusing on the last seven words of Christ spoken from the cross. Similar to a prayer-walk, an art-work utilizes art to help you prayerfully meditate while walking through a series of stations. There were seven stations and at each was a banner with the words of Christ, a poem by author and poet Sarah M. Wells, and a painting by artist Matt Durbin.

We will be re-creating a “virtual” version of “7” through the Create-A-Day posts with poetry by Sarah and artwork by Matt paired with songs. Our hope is that these posts will prepare your hearts for Resurrection Sunday, help you consider the cost of Christ’s priceless gift, and worship Jesus more deeply during this blessed season.

“It is finished.”

If you would ever look to re-create an event like this for your own church or ministry, here’s further information and ideas to assist you:

Banners: We borrowed these amazing banners (pictured left, above and below) painted by another church’s creative arts ministry under the direction of artist Mark Burleigh. Using earth-toned paint with a splash of red on muslin fabric, the artists painted images of Jesus’ face, hands, feet, etc. accompanied by the scriptures of the last words of Christ. They were gracious enough to let us borrow them.

“I thirst.”

Poetry: Sarah is a poet and writer that attended our church and was part of our creative arts ministry. I gave her the seven passages and challenged her to create a poem for each. Her words later challenged me as they caused me to ponder much more deeply the words that Christ spoke. Encourage a writer in your church or ministry to do the same.

Artwork:  Matt was a senior art major at Ashland University at that time. He had painted on several occasions during our church services so we used those paintings, as well as others he had painted for school projects and his senior exhibition. Again, encouraging an artist (or artists) to create pieces related to these scriptures can be equally challenging for the artist and for those who view their work.

Promo: below is the flyer we used to promote the event. Logistics: The art-walk was set up in a part of our chapel that could be accessed throughout the day and evening so the art-walk was available whenever the chapel was open. We had recorded music playing and battery operated candles “burning” to create a sense of a sacred space. Even though it was fairly self-explanatory, there were directions near the entrance. We also placed a journal at the end so people could sign it like a guest book and share their thoughts. We had it set up from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.

Should you have any other questions, please feel free to comment below. I pray that as we venture through the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday you yourself will be challenged to ponder more deeply the words spoken by Jesus as he hung on the cross, and that those words will change both how you live and how you worship.

“7” Virtual Art-Walk thru Art, Poetry & Song:

• Day 1: “Father forgive them…”
• Day 2: “Today you will be with me…”
• Day 3: “Dear woman, here is your son…”
• Day 4: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
• Day 5: “I am thirsty.”
• Day 6: “It is finished.”
• Day 7: “Father, into your hands…”

Blessings of ARTistry, CREATivity & BEaUty, Jody

P.S. Missed previous posts? Click here.

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(C) 2014 Jody Thomae

What is Create-A-Day?  Just as One-A-Day® Vitamins help restore the nutrients we deplete in our bodies, so too do we need to refill, replenish and renew our creative souls. In 2015, watch for daily* posts to undergird your ministry; lead you to resources to nurture the creative spirit within; and draw you more deeply in worship of Jesus Christ. My goal is to provide you, the creative Christian, with over 250* resources to help you develop your ARTistry, CREATivity & capacity for BEaUty. Books, worship arts ministries, video series, websites, conferences—all geared towards artists, creatives, worshipers and people serving in worship and creative arts ministries. So, visit my blog every day* to see what creative resource I’ve hunted down for you. You can stay connected by following me on Twitter or Facebook. Or better yet, sign up to receive email updates by clicking the button to the left. We’ll watch the resources pile up as the year unfolds!

* I am a proponent of family time and Sabbath rest so don’t look for posts on weekends or Holidays.

Jody Thomae is the author of God’s Creative Gift—Unleashing the Artist in You, a devotional book with Bible studies to nurture the creative spirit within and to serve as a resource for creative Christians, artists, musicians and worshippers. She has been involved in worship arts ministry since 1997, coordinating artistic involvement in church services and regional worship events through dance, drama, poetry and fine arts and has had the opportunity to perform, teach, choreograph, preach, coordinate and lead workshops in the area of creativity, spirituality and embodied prayer. She has also recently released a devotional CD, Song of the Beloved.

Her passion is for the revelation of God to be made more real through the prophetic use of the arts in church and formational ministry. It is her desire to portray the message of Christ’s desperate and unfailing love for His people to help sustain the hearts of the broken and weary. Life scriptures include Psalm 27; Isaiah 50:4-7; and Zephaniah 3:14-17.