The redemptive Servant
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
The Son of God has died in our place. He lived without sin; but in his death, he bore the sins of all humanity.
People:
He was despised and rejected, the outcast of society. Yet his sacrifice atones for our sins.
Pastor:
Jesus' death gives us redemption because God sent him to save us from sin. And Jesus was faithful to that mission.
People:
Our hearts are heavy because of our Lord's suffering. But we rejoice at the same time, because our Lord's death brings God's gift of new life.
Collect
Father in heaven, who grieves over the sins of humanity, yet whose love provides forgiveness in the atoning death of your Son: Convict us of our sins against your love, and convince us of your desire to forgive, that our Lord's death may fulfill your purpose in our lives. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
What pain and sorrow we must bring to you, Father. And yet what love you pour out to us! Forgive us for what we have let sin do to us, contrary to your created purpose. Cause us to see that our modern ways of avoiding your Son are no better than nailing him to the cross. Transform our hearts, our minds, our whole nature, to live in full commitment to Christ our Redeemer, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Alone Thou Goest Forth"
"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross"
GOOD FRIDAY
Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Theme: Jesus, our great high priest
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We celebrate our Lord's death, not as one taken from us, but as one who takes us to God.
People:
Jesus is like a high priest who enters the very presence of God, and intercedes on our behalf.
Pastor:
Through his death, Jesus atones for our sins, inspiring us to return to God, assured of his grace.
People:
We come to the throne of God, knowing we will find mercy and grace sufficient for our sins.
Collect
Gracious Father, who has given your Son to intercede on our behalf: Inspire us with devotion and steadfastness, that we may accept the atonement which Jesus provides through his death. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are bold to come before you, Father, even though we are guilty of sin. We come because your Son, our Savior, has opened the way into your presence. So hear us as we confess our sinfulness, and forgive us for the sake of Christ who pleads on our behalf. Cleanse us of our unrighteousness; and strengthen us for committed discipleship. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow"
"Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned"
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
"Savior, Thy Dying Love"
GOOD FRIDAY
Gospel:
John 18:1-19:42 or 19:17-30
Theme:
Arrest, trial, and death of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus died because of religious people like you and me.
People:
Religion too easily becomes an act we perform, rather than a way of life to which we commit ourselves.
Pastor:
Jesus' death destroys any reason to pretend with faith; and it challenges us to take up our cross and follow our Master.
People:
Our faith is in Christ who forgives us, strengthens us, and call us into discipleship.
Collect
Almighty God, who suffers through the agony of seeing your Son rejected by those he is trying to save: Grant that our faith may be a sincere acceptance of your Son; that we may cease to bring you hurt, and avail ourselves of the forgiveness of our crucified Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Today we are especially conscious of how sinful we are, Father, and how forgiving you are toward us. We are moved to repentance and confession, truly grieved by our sinful behavior. Forgive us for acting religious, when in our hearts we resist the faith we try to portray. Inspire us to surrender our wills to Christ, that his death may bring us into eternal life. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Behold, the Savior of Mankind"
"Beneath the Cross of Jesus"
"On a Hill Far Away"
"There Is a Green Hill Far Away"
Pastor:
The Son of God has died in our place. He lived without sin; but in his death, he bore the sins of all humanity.
People:
He was despised and rejected, the outcast of society. Yet his sacrifice atones for our sins.
Pastor:
Jesus' death gives us redemption because God sent him to save us from sin. And Jesus was faithful to that mission.
People:
Our hearts are heavy because of our Lord's suffering. But we rejoice at the same time, because our Lord's death brings God's gift of new life.
Collect
Father in heaven, who grieves over the sins of humanity, yet whose love provides forgiveness in the atoning death of your Son: Convict us of our sins against your love, and convince us of your desire to forgive, that our Lord's death may fulfill your purpose in our lives. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
What pain and sorrow we must bring to you, Father. And yet what love you pour out to us! Forgive us for what we have let sin do to us, contrary to your created purpose. Cause us to see that our modern ways of avoiding your Son are no better than nailing him to the cross. Transform our hearts, our minds, our whole nature, to live in full commitment to Christ our Redeemer, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Alone Thou Goest Forth"
"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross"
GOOD FRIDAY
Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Theme: Jesus, our great high priest
Call to Worship
Pastor:
We celebrate our Lord's death, not as one taken from us, but as one who takes us to God.
People:
Jesus is like a high priest who enters the very presence of God, and intercedes on our behalf.
Pastor:
Through his death, Jesus atones for our sins, inspiring us to return to God, assured of his grace.
People:
We come to the throne of God, knowing we will find mercy and grace sufficient for our sins.
Collect
Gracious Father, who has given your Son to intercede on our behalf: Inspire us with devotion and steadfastness, that we may accept the atonement which Jesus provides through his death. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are bold to come before you, Father, even though we are guilty of sin. We come because your Son, our Savior, has opened the way into your presence. So hear us as we confess our sinfulness, and forgive us for the sake of Christ who pleads on our behalf. Cleanse us of our unrighteousness; and strengthen us for committed discipleship. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow"
"Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned"
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
"Savior, Thy Dying Love"
GOOD FRIDAY
Gospel:
John 18:1-19:42 or 19:17-30
Theme:
Arrest, trial, and death of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus died because of religious people like you and me.
People:
Religion too easily becomes an act we perform, rather than a way of life to which we commit ourselves.
Pastor:
Jesus' death destroys any reason to pretend with faith; and it challenges us to take up our cross and follow our Master.
People:
Our faith is in Christ who forgives us, strengthens us, and call us into discipleship.
Collect
Almighty God, who suffers through the agony of seeing your Son rejected by those he is trying to save: Grant that our faith may be a sincere acceptance of your Son; that we may cease to bring you hurt, and avail ourselves of the forgiveness of our crucified Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Today we are especially conscious of how sinful we are, Father, and how forgiving you are toward us. We are moved to repentance and confession, truly grieved by our sinful behavior. Forgive us for acting religious, when in our hearts we resist the faith we try to portray. Inspire us to surrender our wills to Christ, that his death may bring us into eternal life. In his name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Behold, the Savior of Mankind"
"Beneath the Cross of Jesus"
"On a Hill Far Away"
"There Is a Green Hill Far Away"
