The Suffering Servant
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Leader: He was despised and rejected by others.
People: A man of suffering and acquainted with grief.
Leader: He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities.
People: The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
All: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of all the world. Amen.
Collect
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in his death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, in this hour of solemn remembrance we acknowledge with sorrow and shame that our sins are such as sent our blessed Lord to the cross. We know that you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and so we beseech your forgiveness. Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Hymns
"When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
"'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
Good Friday
Second Lesson: Hebrews 10:16-25
Theme: Trust God To Keep His Promise
Call To Worship
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.
Let us hold firmly to the hope we profess, because we trust God to keep his promise. Amen.
Collect
Heavenly Father, on the cross Jesus showed us how to forgive. While he walked among us he taught us that we must forgive even as we are forgiven. Even as we have faith in your promise of forgiveness, we stand beneath the cross of Jesus and ask your help as we seek to follow the example of Jesus in forgiving our enemies.
Prayer Of Confession
We read in the Bible that we should be concerned for one another, help one another, show love, do good, and encourage each other. When we look back on how we have acted among our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers we realize how much we have fallen short of the mark. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us new opportunities to make amends. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done"
"Beneath The Cross Of Jesus"
Good Friday
Gospel Lesson: John 18:1--19:42
Theme: The Trial And Crucifixion
Call To Worship
On this day of gloom and despair when we mark the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus we call it Good Friday because we know the end of the story.
May our sorrow be turned to joy as we follow the Way of the Cross.
Collect
O God, our Father, as we go through life we suffer many injustices. In our despair we cry out, "Life is not fair." We thank you, God, for your Son Jesus Christ who came among us, endured the pain and suffering of an unjust society, but never lost his faith, hope, and trust in you. May we learn from his example! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, we pray your forgiveness for our blind and selfish ways. We fail to perceive the connection between our actions, or failures to act, and gross injustices perpetrated by our society because we do not want to acknowledge our guilt. Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see, our hearts that we may love, and our minds that we may have the wisdom to live as Jesus taught us. Amen.
Hymns
"Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed"
"Were You There?"
Leader: He was despised and rejected by others.
People: A man of suffering and acquainted with grief.
Leader: He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities.
People: The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
All: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of all the world. Amen.
Collect
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in his death for our salvation, may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, in this hour of solemn remembrance we acknowledge with sorrow and shame that our sins are such as sent our blessed Lord to the cross. We know that you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and so we beseech your forgiveness. Lord, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Hymns
"When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
"'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
Good Friday
Second Lesson: Hebrews 10:16-25
Theme: Trust God To Keep His Promise
Call To Worship
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.
Let us hold firmly to the hope we profess, because we trust God to keep his promise. Amen.
Collect
Heavenly Father, on the cross Jesus showed us how to forgive. While he walked among us he taught us that we must forgive even as we are forgiven. Even as we have faith in your promise of forgiveness, we stand beneath the cross of Jesus and ask your help as we seek to follow the example of Jesus in forgiving our enemies.
Prayer Of Confession
We read in the Bible that we should be concerned for one another, help one another, show love, do good, and encourage each other. When we look back on how we have acted among our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers we realize how much we have fallen short of the mark. Forgive us, we pray, and grant us new opportunities to make amends. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done"
"Beneath The Cross Of Jesus"
Good Friday
Gospel Lesson: John 18:1--19:42
Theme: The Trial And Crucifixion
Call To Worship
On this day of gloom and despair when we mark the arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion of Jesus we call it Good Friday because we know the end of the story.
May our sorrow be turned to joy as we follow the Way of the Cross.
Collect
O God, our Father, as we go through life we suffer many injustices. In our despair we cry out, "Life is not fair." We thank you, God, for your Son Jesus Christ who came among us, endured the pain and suffering of an unjust society, but never lost his faith, hope, and trust in you. May we learn from his example! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, we pray your forgiveness for our blind and selfish ways. We fail to perceive the connection between our actions, or failures to act, and gross injustices perpetrated by our society because we do not want to acknowledge our guilt. Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see, our hearts that we may love, and our minds that we may have the wisdom to live as Jesus taught us. Amen.
Hymns
"Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed"
"Were You There?"
