Many people today doubt the existence of hell and Satan. "The devil is old-fashioned and a figment of imagination," some will tell you. They will go on and explain that "sin does not exist because people are basically good. They just make mistakes in life." The one thing that almost everyone will admit, however, is that we all die.

Good Friday, April 2, 2010 - Click each photo to enlarge.

Part of the Cross Project Crew arrives. Ralph Utter, Charlie Canning, and Steve Vasko (l to r) assess the site while they wait for the planned display.

Steve Vasko and Charles Canning begin to unload the crosses for the project.

It is not as simple as it looks. There are six pieces and everything is pre-measured for easy assembly.

The pieces are assembled prior to screwing components together.

     This is the liturgical season of Easter. It continues into May. The great Reformer, Martin Luther, struggled with evil in the world and ultimately reached conclusions consistent with the Bible concerning "sin, death, and the devil." Luther was so convinced of Satan's activities that he actually threw his ink bottle at the devil when he was tempted in his faith. Later, he would pen these words, "For God's word and work do not intend to be idle, but are bound to produce great things, to wit, set us free from sin, death, and the devil, and every kind of fear...." (from Luther's Sermon, "Of Confession and the Lord's Supper in General," public domain). His words come from a sermon on the occasion of Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus Christ gave His followers Holy Communion.

Click each photo to enlarge.

Charlie Canning aligns the two pieces of cross while Steve Vasko fastens the pieces together with screws.

Pete Midgarden (r) counts units of concrete walk and takes his square out to figure where last year's holes are for the crosses. Pipes have been buried from last year to make the alignment easier for us this year.

The holes have been dug and the central cross is carried to its mounting hole. The two crosses on the side of the Christ cross will be aligned with it.

Once the line for the holes has been established, the digging of holes begins. The pipes indicating the mounting positions for the crosses have been found.

     During the Easter Season in April and early May, the Zion Lutheran Church will examine the historical and Biblical background for understanding sin, death, and the devil in our times in a sermon series which will delve into the realities of Satan, sin, and death. Friends and visitors to Zion's Sunday morning worship at 10 AM are invited to explore the Scriptures with the congregation and discover a Lutheran perspective on Luther's "sin, death, and the devil."

Click each photo to enlarge.

It takes the muscle power of four men to raise the cross. Imagine the effort to raise a cross with Christ on it!

With time, the three crosses are in place on the corner of Zion Lutheran Church in Silverhill.

Pete Midgarden places the "INRI" sign on the central cross, now arrayed in a scarlet robe symbolizing the On Who suffered and died on the cross for the sins of mankind. "INRI" is an abbreviation for the charges Governor Pilate placed on the cross of Jesus Christ, i.e., "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

The job is not done yet. Peter Midgarden and Charlie Canning mount a spotlight to illumine the crosses at night.