Tag: Liturgy

Imprisoned: #narrativelectionary

Acts 17:16-31, Luke 6:18-19 , Alternative: Psalm 142

Call to Worship

Lord, you have opened the door for us
Help us to come out, blinking, into the light
Lord the resurrection is the beginning of healing
Let us celebrate and share the resurrection with one another in worship here today.

 

Prayer of Confession: (unison) Mighty God, we confess that we feel the weight of our chains. Our sorrow and suffering, our prejudices and petty judgements, our hurts and helplessness. Each one of us has something binding us. Give us the hope and inspiration that we need to live life freed from chains we pray. (Silent Confession). Amen

Assurance of Pardon:We know that even when our persecutions seem too great, you God are stronger than any chains that try to bind us. Your resurrection frees us from all prisons. Hear the good news, in Jesus Christ we are freed: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen

Prayer of Dedication: Let us go into the world free children of God, energized by hope and empowered to tell the good news, passing the freedom of justice to every person we meet! Amen.

 

Also anyone else have this running thru their head?

When in Doubt: #GoodFriday, Tenebrae Nail #liturgy based on the book of John

Good Friday
New Covenant Presbyterian Church Won’t You Be Our Neighbor?
INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE
The service tonight is known as the “Service of The Nails”. It is a series of readings, responses, and silent reflection and prayer designed to help us enter more deeply into the meaning of Good Friday. Everyone is requested to take a nail to keep it with them for use during the service. For the service, you are asked to remain seated

Call to Worship
L The Lord be with you.
P And also with you

THE NAIL OF BROKENNESS*
“We are a resurrection people” we like to say
And we say it often
“But resurrection doesn’t erase or replace the real life that happens before, during and after, the real life that we all know.
The places where we are broken.
Where we are grieving
where we are sad
where we are angry
where we are hurting
where we are anxious
Where we are lonely
where we are human—fully
And we each carry around the expreicnes of trauma, and loss and hurt, that are a real part of our life.
Those experiences live within us, and they exist before, during and after resurrction. Yes, we are a resurrection people
But we are also human—fully.
and that means that we know death, just as surely as we know life.
Death is real, it is excruciating, and painful, and it is a part of life.
But God is not afraid of death. God is big enough hold us in our hurt, in our brokenness, in those places of death where we cannot hold ourselves. When we find ourselves in those places, when we cannot imagine ever feeling joy again, may we remember, that although God will not erase the pain. God will hold us, God will stand with us.

John 18:2-5
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ 5They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’* Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (silence)

Prayer*
O God, will your stars never shine again?
Will they never again sing their songs to my soul?

THE NAIL OF HATRED
JOHN 19:1-6a Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. 3They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face. 4Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.’ 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ 6When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?
O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross? (silence)

Prayer*
O God, will your stars never shine again?
Will they never again sing their songs to my soul?

THE RESPONSE
ACT OF CONFESSION
You are invited to have your sins nailed to the cross

Meditation and Prayer
Prayer*
O God, will your stars never shine again?
Will they never again sing their songs to my soul?

THE NAIL OF STUMBLING JOHN 18:15-17, 25-27
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ 18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Sung Response Extinguishing the Light
Were you there when left him on the cross?
Were you there when they left him on the cross?
O, Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when they left him on the cross? (silence)

Prayer*
O God, will your stars never shine again?
Will they never again sing their songs to my soul?

THE NAIL OF DEATH JOHN 18:28-30
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Sung Response Extinguishing the Light
Were you there when the sun refused shine?
Were you there when the sun refused shine?
O, Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (silence)

Prayer *
O God, will your stars never shine again?
Will they never again sing their songs to my soul?

RESPONSIVE READING: THE PROMISE OF MERCY*
O God of my heart, peel back the night and let the straight pour out upon my upturned face, Let my eyes drink a day of stars. Let my heart bathe in the stunning light, until my soul sings again with the conviction of the faithful. In your mercy and justice, O God of my heart call me by name, and the stars will shine once more, as they did on that morning when they first began to sing.

 

Communion
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We life them up to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise….(Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer)
Jesus came into the world, not to judge it, but to save it.
We are so grateful for God’s infinite love, and we celebrate with all of creation, the saving work, of our Suffering Saviour. On the night before he was nailed to the merciless cross,
Jesus shared His last meal with His friends. He took the bread, He broke it, and He gave thanks, and then He passed it among them saying,
This is my body which is broken for you. Eat it and remember Me.
He took the wine, and He gave thanks, and then He passed it among them saying,
This is my blood which is shed for you. Drink it and remember Me.
And so, we take, we eat and drink, and we remember:
There is no greater love, than this sacrifice which You, Jesus, made for us
God is with us, even when we fear
Come, let us taste and see the Lord

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (silence)

 

*These Prayers are  from Dying Liturgy of NextChurch national gathering 2018

 

Prayers and Liturgy by Pastor Katy Stenta who is the solo pastor at a bigger on the inside church in Albany, NY and enjoys reading fantasy, soaking up sunshine, playing with her three sons and visiting her husband at his work, the library.

When in Doubt: Prayer Resource #MaundyThursday, #Communion #Liturgy, #LastSupper

John 19:23-30 and Psalm 26:3

Note: The Narrative Lectionary takes up this account of the cross, rather than Footwashing, for Maundy Thursday. Therefore, I have taken these images to describe the Supper in the litany that follows.

John 19:23-30 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says,

“They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”

25 And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And because of* that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

* Most translations render the phrase, ap’ ekeinës tes öras, as “from that hour” or “after that hour,” but, besides the temporal meaning, the phrase can also mean “because of that hour.” Sophia Park, The Galilean Jesus: Creating A Borderland at the Foot of the Cross (Jn 19:23-30), Theological Studies 70 (2009).

Litany to be used after the Scripture reading/sermon on John

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,*

One: one piece of Christ’s body is given,

MANY: and Christ’s whole body is given.

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,

One: We are each individual parts of Christ Jesus’ body

MANY: and together we are the complete body of Christ Jesus.

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,

One: Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”

MANY: and to the beloved disciple, “Here is your mother.”

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,

One: We are each a part of God’s family

MANY: and together we are the abundant family of God.

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,

One: it was finished

MANY: and it had just begun.

ALL: FROM THAT MOMENT ON, BECAUSE OF THAT HOUR,

One: Jesus’ thirst was answered with sour wine, and he gave up his spirit;

MANY: our thirst is answered with the cup, and we partake of the Spirit.

Invitation

From that moment of crucifixion on, because of that hour,

we gather at the Lord’s table to eat this bread and drink this cup.

The one who fed great crowds with just five loaves offers himself as the bread of life. The one who offers the cup is himself living water. He is the bread of life.

Whoever comes to him will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in him will never be thirsty.

*In John 19:27b, “most translations render the phrase, ap’ ekeinës tes öras, [regarding the beloved disciple taking Mary to his home] ‘from that hour’ or ‘after that hour,’ but, besides the temporal meaning, the phrase can also mean ‘because of that hour.’ Sophia Park, The Galilean Jesus: Creating A Borderland at the Foot of the Cross (Jn 19:23-30), Theological Studies 70 (2009).

Great Thanksgiving

The Lord is with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

O Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

You alone give the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world.

Empower us to work for the food that endures for eternal life.

Give us this bread always, that we may live forever.

We come to you and will never be hungry.

We believe in you and will never be thirsty.

We eat this bread, your flesh, given for the life of the world.

We partake of this true food and this true drink.

We abide in you, and you abide in us. We live because of you.

We thank you and praise you for the great mystery of faith:

Christ has died,

Christ is risen,

Christ will come again.

Thanks be to God.

Words of Institution

Jesus taught about the bread of his flesh, saying:
“Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life. 

Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven.

Whoever eats of this bread will live forever;

and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

.

And Jesus turned water into the very best wine,

providing abundantly for a celebration of love and family,

the first of the signs revealing his glory, so that his disciples believed in him.

Epiklesis

O God, send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and cup,

that they may be for us Christ Jesus’ body and blood,

Give us your eternal food and your abundant cup,

so that we may abide in you and you in us.

*This liturgy uses images from the Gospel of John;  traditional words of institution may of course be used instead.

More Lent Prayer Resources

Rev. Dr. Barbara Hedges-Goettl has her doctorate in liturgy and has worked on the new Book of Common Worship for the PCUSA, she is particularly interested in Communion, and uses her writing skills for bulletins, sermons and IEPs for children with special needs.

 

lent

When in Doubt: Peter’s Denial #worship and #liturgy resource, including Communion

Prayers & Liturgy written by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, all available for use with credit.

More resources for Lent available here.

lent

John 18:12-27 and Psalm 17:1-7

Prayer of Great Thanksgiving

One: The Lord be with you.

Many: And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

O God, since speaking Creation into being,

you have spoken openly to the world.

You teach your people wherever they come together.

You do nothing in secret.

You speak aloud rightly to all who would hear,

You use the testimony of those who hear what you say.

Sometimes, we are able to testify to your love and your works.

At other times, we are not even sure we know you.

At times, belonging to you is a joyful affirmation.

At other times, belonging to you is more of an accusation.

We doubt our ability to stand with you when danger arises,

We are immobilized by our doubt.

But your faithfulness and love are not dependent on us.

You proclaim them regardless of our feelings and participation.

When our commitment is in doubt, your commitment is sure.

When we deny your claim on us, you claim us still.

You act with justice and mercy to redeem all creation.

In everlasting love, you choose your people as your own.

Hearing our cries of fear and doubt,

you deliver us from the house of bondage.

Loving us still, you make us heirs with Christ of the covenant.

Like a mother, you do not forsake your nursing child.

Like a father, you run to welcome your prodigals home.

ALL: You are faithful still.

Despite our unfaithfulness,

in spite of the moments when we deny you,

you claim us.

You sent your Son: born to among us as one of us.

He lived among us, full of grace and truth,

your servant and the servant of the people you created,

speaking and healing, leading and comforting.

He was crucified, one person dying for the people;

he rose from the dead, conquering death and evil,

and all that separates us from you and from each other.

He promised the full coming of your Kingdom,

and emboldened those he left behind to walk and witness to your way.

We praise you for your great and glorious work,

joining our voices with all who came before us—

prophets and martyrs, disciples and followers,

and with all the people belonging to you in every time and place,

who forever sing the glory of your name.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,

speaking openly so all may hear.

Hosanna in the highest.

O God, send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and cup,

that they may be for us the body and blood of your Son,

joining us to him and to you and to one another.

May your faithfulness inspire our faithfulness,

making our witness potent and powerful,

enabling us to testify to being your people,

who are called to proclaim and practice all that Christ said and did.

We pray the only way we can—

through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,

by his power, grace and mercy.

We pray in the only unity that holds:

in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

We pray to you, the only one worthy of glory and honor;

all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,

now and forever. Amen.

Prayer After Communion

Lord, we thank you that we belong to you even when we are not sure.

May this bread and cup be for us tangible evidence of our relationship to you,

showing us your call and claim on us individually

and as the church, your body.

May we offer bread and body, cup and service, to your people,

carrying them and their burdens as you have carried us.

Potential hymns:

Ah, Holy Jesus
Before the Cock Crew Twice

Bitter Was the Night

Christ, the Life of All the Living

Guide me Ever, Great Redeemer/Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer

Here, Lord, We Take the Broken Bread

My Song is Love Unknown

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

O Sacred Head Surrounded/O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Psalm 31:9-16

Sharing Pascal Bread and Wine/Shadows Lengthen into Night

This is The Night. Dear Friends, The Night for Weeping

‘Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies

What Wondrous Love is This  

When My Love to God Grows Weak

When We Are Tempted to Deny Your Son

Potential art

Jesus Before Caiaphas   http://www.pitts.emory.edu/dia/bridge.cfm?ID=450

The Denial of St. Peter (Carvaggio, Baroque period)

https://honorsartatthemet.ace.fordham.edu/files/original/2425ce4528557ba00b62e31482fde4e9.jpg

Denial of St. Peter by Adam de Costner (this one may be here > once; this is better image)

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=6HtF3_kMJLdxHM:

The Denial of St. Peter c. 1623

https://collections.artsmia.org/art/1886/the-denial-of-st-peter-gerrit-van-honthorst

Peter Denies Jesus But Receives God’s Forgiveness

https://hopestreamradio.com/peter-denies-jesus-but-receives-gods-forgiveness/

Peter About to Be Struck in Front of the High Priest Annas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanhedrin_trial_of_Jesus#/media/File:Jes%C3%BAs_en_casa_de_An%C3%A1s_Museo_del_Prado_Jos%C3%A9_de_Madrazo.jpg

The Repentant Peter (El Greco)

https://www.wga.hu/support/viewer/z.html

Peter Denying Christ (Rembrandt)

http://www.abcgallery.com/R/rembrandt/rembrandt5.html

Denial of St. Peter ( (Tournier)

https://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/t/tournier/denial.html

Condemnation of Christ and the Denial of St. Peter

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=oCUme6ZMInYDZM:

Diatessaron (conflated gospels) Denial of Peter

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=tdOmyW4Y5w2bDM:

Contemporary version Denial of Peter

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=rsUOQtmJQwY7CM:

Another contemporary version

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=3K8T8EwYH0ydCM:

Church of St. Peter/Gallicantu. Jerusalem

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=shpcvwX7WpmwxM:

Contemporary Metal Sculpture at Church of St Peter/Gallicantu, Jerusalem

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=b2dmi82lx0YCDM:

Contemporary clay sculpture, Church of St. Peter/Gallicantu, Jerusalem

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=68IZNHGVFmaUBM:

Peter After His Denial of Christ

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=FbtLo-z-XdTuMM:

Denial of St. Peter (Renaissance)

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=vhurCdiQ7H0g_M:

St. Peter’s Repentance

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=rPRmbme3q4YHqM:

Black & white contemporary line drawing

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=Bwqkw2ybmpNUwM:

The Cock

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=P7yyfRA986FvXM:

Third Denial (Tissot)

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=FcppgOxJYMjxyM:

Denial of St. Peter (Preti)

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=WK7ab8w-zw-A8M:

Passion of Jesus

https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Condemnation+of+Christ+and+the+Denial+of+Saint+Peter&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqvrugjJrZAhVhw1kKHee9DCMQ7AkIXw&biw=1242&bih=535&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=LJ8_HD4vfPZQWM:

#ChristmasEve Liturgy, Lessons and Carols

Includes Joseph emphasizing Emmanuel, Includes Mary’s Magnificat dovetails Myrrh/Communion also, ends Shepherds rejoicing/Joy to the World & Mary’s pondering/Silent Night

Highlights: Includes Joseph emphasizing Emmanuel, Includes Mary’s Magnificat (recently decided that this should be essential for Christmas Eve as it tells why Jesus is coming), dovetails Myrrh/Communion also, ends with the Shepherds rejoicing/Joy to the World & Mary’s pondering/Silent Night

TR006799
USA, California, Los Angeles skyline, sunset

*Highly rec passing out some kind of manger stickers for kids to participate/follow along with during the worship

Prelude                “ O Holy Night”

FIRST LESSON                                                               Luke 1:26-35, 38                                 CAROL                     “It Came Midnight Clear”

WELCOME              

SECOND LESSON                                                   Matthew 1:18-23                                    CAROL “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Prayer of Confession (Unison) Merciful God, we confess that we find your good news frightening and unsettling, especially when we consider its demands as well as its promises. Forgive us, melt us, mold us, remake us. Give us the courage to lay ourselves open to the wonder and healing of your coming. Be born again into our world, be born again into our hearts and lives. Hear now our silent and personal confessions as we prepare ourselves for your nativity. (Silent Confession)  Amen —–based on a prayer written by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins 

Assurance of Forgiveness: Christ has come, love incarnate, salvation of the world! Know the Good news, Jesus Christ will be born this very night, and it is in him we are each, and every one of us, forgiven Thanks be to God.

THIRD LESSON Luke 1: 46-55                                                                                      Contemplative Music: “Away in the Manger” 

FOURTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7                                                                                                Lighting of the Christ Candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love & Christ

 All Children are invited forward to assist with the lighting (Note I let the children light the candles each week, basically youngest to oldest, we have about 12 kids and usually end up impromptu-ly including them all)

Anthem

FIFTH LESSON                                                               Luke 2:8-12                   CAROL                                          “The First Nowell” v. 1-2

SIXTH LESSON             Luke 2:13-14                                                                       CAROL                       “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Offering                                              

FOURTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-12                                                                                    CAROL “We Three Kings of Orient Are” v. 1-4

Holy Communion

Invitation from Christ

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Lift up your hearts

We lift our hearts to the lord

Give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right to give our thanks and praise….(prayer continues)

….and praying as his son taught us to pray……..The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the glory and power forever. Amen.

Bread & Cup: Communion will be taken by intinction, where congregants come forward and dip the bread in the cup. If you need assistance, the pastor will come to serve you individually.]

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:15-18, 20                                                                     CAROL                                                         “Joy to the World”

SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:19                                                                                     CAROL                                                         “Silent Night”

#GoodFriday #Bulletin #Worship #liturgy

Short Liturgy of the Nails Featuring “Were You There”

Good Friday April 14th, 2016 6:30pm

New Covenant Presbyterian Church Won’t You Be Our Neighbor?

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE

The service tonight is known as the “Service of The Nails”.  It is a series of readings, responses, and silent reflection and prayer designed to help us enter more deeply into the meaning of Good Friday.   Everyone is requested to take a nail to keep it with them for use during the service. For the service, you are asked to remain seated.

 

Call to Worship  (based on Is. 52:13-15)

L  The Lord be with you.

P  And also with you

L  See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.  Just as there were many who were astonished at him–so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals– so he shall startle many nations;  kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.

THE NAIL OF STUMBLING                                           MATTHEW 26:36-45

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.  Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Sung Response Extinguishing the Light

      Were you there when he prayed upon the hill? 

      Were you there when he prayed in upon the hill? 

O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;

       Were you there when he prayed upon the hill?…..(silence)

Meditation and Prayer

O God – help us consider how we waver, how we seek to avoid

responsibility and to blame others for our actions.

O God – do not let us deceive ourselves. 

       Our indecision hurts us and creates walls between us and others.

                                

THE NAIL OF BETRAYAL                                       MATTHEW 26:48-56

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.”  At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.”  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.  Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at  once send me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”  At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit?  Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me.  But all this has taken  place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.”  Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

   

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

      Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;

                 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?(silence)

THE NAIL OF CRUELTY                                 MATTHEW 27:27-31, 39-42

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him.  They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head.  They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.  After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!  If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.”

Sung Response Extinguishing the Light

Were you there when left him on the cross?  

      Were you there when they left him on the cross? 

O, Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;

      Were you there when they left him on the cross? (silence)

Meditation and Prayer

O God – help us consider how we are cruel to others, how we malign

and slander others and add to the evil that comes upon them.

O God – do not let us deceive ourselves.  

       Our cruelty hurts us and creates walls between us and others.

RESPONSIVE READING: THE PROMISE OF MERCY       ISAIAH 53:8-13

They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper.

Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.

The righteous one, God’s servant, shall make many righteous, 

   and he shall bear their iniquities. 

Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

THE NAIL OF HATRED                                          LUKE 6:22, 32-33, 44-46 “ Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last..”

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light

Were you there when the sun refused shine?  

      Were you there when the sun refused shine? 

O, Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;

                Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (silence)

Meditation and Prayer

L   O God – help us consider how we show hate to others, how we fail to

care for others and make distinctions among them.

O God – do not let us deceive ourselves.

       Our hatred hurts us and creates walls between us and others.

THE RESPONSE

ACT OF CONFESSION                                             ISAIAH 53:4-6

You are invited to have your sins nailed to the cross

Meditation and Prayer

O God – help us consider how we betray others, how we abandon

them in their time of need, how we think of ourselves first

O God – do not let us deceive ourselves.  Our acts of betrayal hurt us and           

      create walls between us and others.

Communion

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Lift up your hearts

We life them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right to give our thanks and praise….(Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer)

Jesus came into the world, not to judge it, but to save it.

We are so grateful for God’s infinite love, and we celebrate with all of creation, the saving work, of our Suffering Saviour. On the night before he was nailed to the merciless cross,

Jesus shared His last meal with His friends. He took the bread, He broke it, and He gave thanks, and then He passed it among them saying,

This is my body which is broken for you. Eat it and remember Me.

He took the wine, and He gave thanks, and then He passed it among them saying,

This is my blood which is shed for you. Drink it and remember Me.

And so, we take, we eat and drink, and we remember:

There is no greater love, than this sacrifice which You, Jesus, made for us

Sung Response: Extinguishing the Light

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

      Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

O Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble;

                 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (silence)

(Blow out remaining Candles and Leave in silence)

Crucifixion/Good Friday Links of Prayer Lenten Resource

crucifixion-taormina-6

Image

Invitation to by Rev. Rev Lee Ann Higgins

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Lee Ann Higgins) appreciated.

Luke 23:32-47 and Psalm 31:5-13 ro Palm 31:5a

Call to Worship

(Based on  KJV – Psalm 31:1, 5-13)

Into thine hand I commit my spirit:  thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

 I have hated them that regard lying vanities:  but I trust in the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy:  for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

And has not shut me up into the hand of my enemy:  thou hast set my feet in a large room.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble:  mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing:  my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance:  they that did see me without fled from me.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind:  I am like a broken vessel.

For I have heard the slander of many:  fear was on every side:  while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

But I trusted in thee, O Lord:  I said, Thou art my God.

My times are in thy hand:  deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.  Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Loving Father,

We come today, not only to worship and praise you,

But also to remember Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Who gave up his life for us.

Be present with us here today as we remember

This sad day and why it had to happen.

Help us to see the joy within the tragedy,

A life so willingly given, …

For me … for us … Amen!

Prayer of Confession

Forgiving Father,

On that Friday, oh so long ago,

Your Son asked you to forgive his killers,

Because “they know not what they do.”

As we stand here in our humanness

Not always knowing what we do,

We cannot possible understand the

Great love you had for those people, and

We do not understand the great love you have for us.

You allowed your Son to be put to death

In a cruel fashion, yet, we know it was because of

Your unceasing love for us.

Just like those soldiers, we have sinned

And fall short of your glory.

We aren’t always aware of where we fall short,

But we don’t mean to disappoint you.

You are our perfect God who wants nothing

But the love of Your children.

Through Your Son’s death we are assured of your love

And we ask for your unconditional forgiveness.

Lead us to your way.  Guide us in our path.

Forgive us, we pray.  AMEN!

Assurance of Pardon

(from Chalice Worship)

Our redeemer God, we bless you for meeting us in Jesus Christ,

Who for our salvation humbled himself to die for us.

We bless you for all the burdens Christ has borne,

For all the tears he has wept,

For all the pains he has suffered,

For every word of comfort he spoke on the cross,

For every conflict with the power of darkness,

And for his eternal victory over the terrors of death.

 

Lead us through the valley of the shadow of death,

That we may fear no evil, for you are eternally with us;

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Communion & Communion Prayer

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room and they ate a meal together.  This began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper that we now observe every Sunday.

Paul wrote about Communion in 1 Corinthians 11:26.  He said, “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”.

The meal that Jesus ate with His disciples on the night He was betrayed is known as the Passover meal.

  • When Passover was 1st observed, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt.  God sent Moses to confront Pharaoh, and to bring God’s people out of slavery.
  • Part of the way God “convinced” Pharaoh to release the Israelites, was through the 10 plagues.

The last of those plagues was the death of the firstborn of every household that did not have the blood of a spotless lamb painted on its doorposts.

  • The people of Israel were commanded to slaughter an innocent spotless lamb, paint its blood on their doorposts
    • And eat the meal that would now be known as the “Passover”, because God told His people,
    • That when He saw the blood of the lamb on their homes, He would pass over their homes, and death would not visit their families.
  • They were to eat the Passover meal dressed to leave the next day – BECAUSE on the next day they would leave the land of their slavery and enter into freedom.

Let us Pray:

Gracious and loving Heavenly Father.  A lamb died on that first Passover so that the people of Israel would live.  Our lamb (Jesus Christ) died so that we might live.

A lamb died so that the people of Israel would be freed from the fear of enslavement.  Our Lamb (Jesus, the Lamb of God) died so that we might be freed from the slavery of our fear of death.

Thank you dear Lord, that, in communion, we receive the message of freedom from the grave.

Thank you that this message is not received only at Easter.  Thank you that we receive this message every time we gather around this Table as believers.

Thank you for the message that:  DEATH HAS BEEN CONQUERED!  AMEN!

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Heavenly Father,

We give back but a portion of ourselves,

Wishing we could give so much more.

You have made many things out of nothing;

You fed thousands with a basket of bread and fish,

You made wine from mere water,

And You made Saul into Paul.

We have faith that you will magnify these morals.

Allow us to see Your perfect vision,

And to continue your work on Earth.

Gird us up to share with the world; that You sent YOUR Son as

THE ultimate offering and sacrifice.

That by accepting this truth, all would be forgiven

And spend eternity in your presence.

AMEN.

A Link to a Good Friday Liturgy of the Nails http://wp.me/p2rhxZ-25W

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

 

Maundy Thursday/Last Supper Lenten Links of Prayer for Narrative Lectionary

Links of Prayer for Last Supper

Jesus.jpegImage info (originally found in another language)

Invitation to Serve by Rev Amy Fetterman

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer/prayers written by Rev Amy Fetterman) appreciated.

Luke 22:1-27 and Psalm 34:8-10 or Psalm 34:8

Call to Worship

The One who serves has set the table,

And eagerly desires that we join him here.  

As we seek and find the Lord in this joyful feast,

We shall taste and see that the Lord is good.

Prayer of Confession

As Jesus prepares a feast for us, let us prepare our hearts to receive his word. Let us offer our confession to God and before one another. Let us pray:

God of bread and vine, you redeem us from all sin. Yet, we forget that in you we find our refuge. We live into our fear rather than our faith. We strive to be great rather than follow in your servant steps. In our words, our actions, and our thoughts, we betray you. Deliver us from our fears, strengthen our hearts, and hear our cries, we pray… (silent confession followed by singing a Kyrie of your choice)

Assurance of Pardon

Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, we pray.

Though we may turn our faces away from God, God never turns away from us. The One who prepares a place for us at the table is the same One who forgives us our sins. Friends, believe the good news: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Communion Prayer

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Look to the Lord, We seek the Lord with our whole hearts.

Let us bless the Lord as we come to the table, Our souls praise God!

Our souls praise you, O God, for you created the heavens and the earth, all that is seen and unseen. You coaxed forth light and life where before there was only dark and nothingness. You are the source of the living water we seek. We rejoice that we have been made in your image, that the very breath we breathe comes from your Holy Spirit.

You tell us that those who seek you shall lack no good thing. When we turn away from you and towards the forces of hunger and want, you do not give up on us. You call out to us through the voices of the prophets and the poets. You come to us through the person of the Son. Humbled by your great love for us, we join our voices with the saints across the ages, ever singing:

Holy, Holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is Jesus the Christ, the one who came to us as a vulnerable child.

Blessed is Jesus the Christ, who taught and healed us, who laughed and wept with us, who fed us and gave us living water.

Blessed is Jesus the Christ, who gathered with his disciples, including the one who would deny him and the one who would betray him, to celebrate the Passover feast.

Blessed is Jesus the Christ, who broke the bread and shared the cup, who gave us this meal as a lasting remembrance and joyful celebration.

Blessed is Jesus the Christ, who gave himself to us and for us and invites us to live into the great mystery of faith:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and vine, we pray, O God. As we eat this bread may we remember your great love for all. As we drink from this cup may we be strengthened in our covenant with you. So nourished and so nurtured, may we go forth from this table with servant hearts and hands. By your Spirit, may we be made one, the body of Christ for the world.

We offer all of these prayers in the name of the Bread of Life, our Savior, who taught us to pray, saying: Our Father.

Offering Prayer/Prayer of Dedication

Holy God, you have shown us that to be great is to serve. We offer our tithes and offerings, the gifts of our hearts and hands, as our commitment to join with you in service. May all we do and say further the good work of your Kingdom until you come again. Amen.

More Narrative Lectionary Lenten Themed Prayers  

Links of Prayer: Narrative Lectionary for Lent

Links of Prayer Resources for Lent.
A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.
They include a Call to Worship/Opening Prayer, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon, Communion Prayer, Prayer of Dedication/Offering and Some are Paired Psalm-Prayer Station Guide by Rev. Shea Zellweger
Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.
March 1st Ash Wednesday by Rev. Mary Austin
March 5th The Good Samaritan by Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis
March 12th The Lament Over Jerusalem by Rev. Courtney D. Arntzen
March 19th Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, Lost Son by Rev. Mike Williams
March 26th Rich Man and Lazarus by Rev. Tracy Spencer-Brown
Apr 2nd Zacchaeus by Rev. Katy Stenta
Apr 11th Triumphal Entry/Palm Sunday by Rev. Jeanne Gay
Apr 13th Last Supper by Rev. Amy Fetterman
Apr 14th Crucifixion by Rev Lee Ann Higgins
      Good Friday Liturgy of the Nails http://wp.me/p2rhxZ-25W
Apr 16th Resurrection/Easter by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl