Laughing Bird (Australian) Psalm 23
Feel free to use/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta
Summer Psalm 23 Series
Tag: Worship
Gathering & Gospelling: Worship III
Worship III
Chapter 3: Don’t be a Chill Host: Active Welcoming & The Invisible Church
1 Corinthians 10:1-4
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of* the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Call to Worship: (based on the words of Mother Teresa)
Christ grant us the joy of our baptism
Joy is prayer
Help our joy in small things to continue
Joy is strength
Let us take joy in one another
Joy is love
Teach us how to share Joy with one another
Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Let us rejoice together today!
Confession: Reflective Questions
Do you make a better host or a better guest?
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street: How did you get to this church family?
—Take a moment to Pray for all the church, the past members, current members, the children, the new members.—
Creative Activity: Plant Seeds, Pray for those names that are brought in
Homework: Find someone who doesn’t go to church, say you and some of your friends at church are trying to figure out how to make our church even more open to new people so you are conducting interviews. Tell them you’ve been a Christian so long, you don’t have a good perspective on it anymore. Over (safe) lunch or coffee as questions. Listen without interrupting. Don’t give advice or answers, just ask clarifying questions. Take notes.
(Unbinding the gospel p. 83 and 84)
- What pops in your mind when you hear the word church
- Has anyone invited you to their church? What did you think when they asked you? Did you go? If you went how did that feel? If you didn’t go why not?
- Have you ever had a sense of God or Jesus communicating with you?
- If you could ask God any question what would it be?
- Would you like prayer for anything (pray there if it’s not awkward. If not pray throughout the week/bring that prayer to church.)
Get back to the person if they asked for prayer a week later and ask how that situation his going.
Study Verse: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,* and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us—Hebrews 12:1
Prayer of Dedication/the Day: Soul of Christ, sanctify me, Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, refresh me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. Be with me as I go, assured of myself as a beloved and baptized child of God. Amen. (184 UTG)
Suggested Hymns: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service, Guide My Feet, Jesu Jesu Fill Us with Your Love, In Christ There is No East or West, It is Well with My Soul
Gathering & Gospelling Worship Series
If you want doc versions, sample bulletins, and the handouts as a separate materials page, email me at Katyandtheword at Gmail
If you use this material, please consider donating to my GoFundMe for my Doctorate in Ministry for Creative Writing as a working Theologian. Any Contribution from $5-100 is appreciated and I am happy to provide receipts as needed.
Gathering & Gospelling: Worship II
Worship II
Chapter 2 & 4: Close Doors & Create a Temporary Alternative World: Make Holy Spaces
Exodus 3:1-6
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. 3Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ 4When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ 5Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ 6He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Isaiah 6:1-3
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
Create a threshold (p. 167) Do something to create a Holy Threshold Ideas Include: Anoint with Oil as People Walk in, Or give them a note that says beloved child of God, or Have a Sign or greeter by the door inviting people “Prepare for worship with us by stopping for a moment and taking 10 breaths to connect with the Holy Spirit before entering” or invite people to take a rock, mentally put a prayer into the rock and then lay it on the Communion Table
Call to Worship: (based on Celtic Awaking Prayer Looraine, Ena, Jacinta, Maree & Sally)
http://celticspiritpilgrimage.com/services-page/
God We are longing for silence, seeking and searching for solitude
Where do we find you God?
Running restful waters, shimmering leaves
whispering winds.
Ancient ruins, stories in stones, Celtic crosses standing strong, ancestors remembered.
Where do we find you God?
Sacred spaces, Enriching our Souls, mysteries unfolding, God is in the known and unknown.
Where do we find you God?
Come let us find God in this holy space.
Confession: Reflective Questions:
What is your favorite space at church?
Where do you like to pray?
What is your favorite Hymn?
Creative Activity; Draw, Doodle, Color a Prayer
“Just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and silence in which another voice may speak” —Mary Oliver
Homework: Bring a name of someone who you want to connect to the church
Study Verse: Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.— Exodus 3:5b-6
Prayer of Dedication/The Day: Holy, holy, holy God, Creator of all things. Please initiate a holy space. Between you and me, between my neighbor and me, between strangers and I. Share with us how it is you make holy spaces: when two or three are gathered, when the bread and cup is shared in our name, when water drips the grace of baptism. God, there are times you can feel the infinite grace that is contained in a single moment of holiness: when a baby laughs, when I look at the stars, when a good story is told about someone we’ve lost. Helps us to embrace these holy spaces, and teach us how to invite others to experience them to, we pray in the name of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn Suggestions: Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty, Be Thou My Vision, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Immortal Invisible God Only Wise
Gathering & Gospelling Worship Series
Further thoughts on inclusion and exclusion and the church:
As you may be able to tell from the scripture I’m focusing on holiness and being set apart. In my mind this is more about recognizing ones call to do kingdom work here and now and inviting others—specifically as possible into the work. This means recognizing others’ gifts and that God had specific calls for each of us. For some it’s to be pastors others teachers others the oh so sacred work of cleaning this year. This also means not everyone will do every part of ministry in the church. This is why we try to honor our uniqueness and call people to recognize the holiness of their unique work both in the church and in the world.
We at church often say c’mon and help instead of I value this gift in you. What is God calling you to do with it.
If you want doc versions, sample bulletins, and the handouts as a separate materials page, email me at Katyandtheword at Gmail
If you use this material, please consider donating to my GoFundMe for my Doctorate in Ministry for Creative Writing as a working Theologian. Any Contribution from $5-100 is appreciated and I am happy to provide receipts as needed.
Gathering & Gospelling: Worship I
Worship I
Chapter 1 Decide Why You are Really Gathering: Practicing Communion
Communion, Suggestion: A Bring Your Own Picnic especially if you are doing Outdoor worship
Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
John 6:30-35
So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Confession: Reflective Questions
What brings you to Church Today: Answer with the first thing that comes to your head Specific and Silly Reasons are great! Prepare to Share these during Joys and Concerns (p. 33 TAG)
Where do you see God at work in your life this week?
Call to Worship:
Jesus says I am the bread of life
Come let us feast together
Jesus says whoever believes in me will never hunger nor thirst
Come let us gather and welcome one another to the meal
God is the reason we are here, let us gather in the name of God
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Joys & Concerns: Invite people to share why they came to church by mutual invitation—after someone shares they invite someone else to also share. If you have a large church, create some quick mini groups and do mini joys and concerns where people pray for one another and hear and pray celebrate whatever reasons individuals came to church that day: remember God works through snacks, the need for community, and “I don’t know.”
Creative Activity: Goal: To See God
Partner up
Think of your most important experience with God in your life.
Take turns talking for 4 minutes each (I’ll time you) without stopping. Pray for the person speaking
Switch (inspired by Unbinding the Gospel p. 22)
Homework: Bring in Food Pantry Items or monetary donations
Study Verse (print out to take home): Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread 1 Corinthians 10:17
Prayer of Dedication/the Day: God remind us why we are here. Help us to set the intention to be one body, one bread. Help us to find and include more people. For many hunger for the nourishment of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for making us accountable to you, and remind us always, especially when we get off track, that you love us no matter what. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (TAG 24 & 26 desired outcome)
Hymn Suggestions: We Gather Together, Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine, Jesus Loves Me, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, Blest Be the Tie that Binds
Gathering & Gospelling Worship Series
If you want doc versions, sample bulletins, and the handouts as a separate materials page, email me at Katyandtheword at Gmail
If you use this material, please consider donating to my GoFundMe for my Doctorate in Ministry for Creative Writing as a working Theologian. Any Contribution from $5-100 is appreciated and I am happy to provide receipts as needed.
Good Friday Full Worship Liturgy, Matthew
Call to Worship
L The Lord be with you.
P And also with you
1. PRAYER MATTHEW 26:36
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.”
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
2. HE NAIL OF STUMBLING MATTHEW 26:37-40
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 came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?
(Silent Meditation & Extinguishing of Candles)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descended, Our full homage to demand
3. THE NAIL OF BETRAYAL MATTHEW 26:48-50
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.
4.. 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.
(Silent Meditation & Extinguishing of Candles)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descended, Our full homage to demand
5. RESPONSIVE READING: THE PROMISE OF MERCY Psalm 22:1-5a
We know what it is like to cry out, as the psalmist did
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried, and were saved.
6. THE NAIL OF HATRED Matthew 27: 41-44
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. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, “I am God’s Son.” ’The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord
7. RESPONSE: ACT OF CONFESSION
You are invited to nail your sins to the cross
(Silent Meditation & Extinguishing of Candles)
King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords in human vesture, In the body and the blood. He will give to all the faithful, His own self for heavenly food.
8. COMMUNION
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise…Jesus our teacher, our brother, our friend knowing he was going to be betrayed and die, he took the bread and broke it and said, this is my body broken for you Then Jesus took the cup and said: “I am poured out like water, and my bones are out of joint” And even though Jesus knew that he would feel alone, he knew he would call out “My God, my God, Elohim, Elohim why have you forsaken me?” He poured himself out, sacrificing his very self for our sins. Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the death of Jesus until he comes again.
9. DARK MATTHEW 27:48-51
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land* until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.* At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.
(Silent Meditation & Extinguishing of Candles)
Seeds of #Prayer #Lent #Liturgy #Prayer Resource for #NarrativeLectionary #Abundance
Abundance
Ash Weds Mar 6 Who is the Greatest? Abundance of Blessings
Sun Mar 9 Forgiveness Abundance of Forgiveness
Sun Mar 17 Laborers in the Vineyard Abundance of Grace
Sun Mar 24 Wedding Banquet Abundance of Invitation
Sun Mar 31 Bridesmaids (or Talents) Abundance of Preparation
April 7 Last Judgement Abundance of Justice
Note: for Palm Sunday you may wish to swap out or combine depending on your holy week schedule
April 14 Triumphal Entry Abundance of Celebration
April 18 Words of Institution (Last Supper) Abundance of Presence
April 19 Good Friday/Tenebrae options Crucifixion: Matthew Fully, Abundantly, Human
April 19 Full Liturgy: Tenbebrae & nailing sins to cross
April 21 Easter: Matthew Abundance of Discipleship
April 28: The Great Commission Go! by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl
Carols & Lessons Order of Worship
FIRST LESSON Luke 1:26-30
CAROL #38 “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”
WELCOME Pastor
SECOND LESSON Isaiah 9: 6-7
CAROL # 31 “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Prayer of Confession (Unison) Merciful God, we confess we have trouble understanding a Jesus who came for all the outcasts. We have trouble seeing Jesus sitting with the homeless, aiding the immigrant and healing any and all who approached him. We confess that we get caught up in worthiness. Forgive us, teach us to love as easily as we might love a baby we pray. (Silent Confession) Amen
Assurance of Forgiveness: Christ rises with healing in his wings know the truth In Jesus Christ we are forgiven
THIRD LESSON Luke 2:1-7
CAROL # 24 “Away in a Manger”
Lighting of the Christ Candle: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love & Christ
(All Children are invited forward to assist with the lighting)
FOURTH LESSON Luke 2:8-14
CAROL # 23 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
FIFTH LESSON Luke 2:16-19
CAROL #53 “What Child is This?”
Offering Anthem
SIXTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-12
CAROL # 66 “We Three Kings” 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.]
SEVENTH LESSON Luke 1:46-55
CAROL #40 “Joy to the World”
EIGHTH LESSON John 3:16-17
CAROL “Silent Night”
•(Please encircle the nativity so we can pass the light of Christ to the entire congregation. Feel free to take the Silent Night Insert with you.)
#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
*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”
Tasting #God
I look over as I raise my glass, the bread has been swallowed individually, because we are all individuals in Christ, and there is Westley, 7 years old and dead serious.
“This is the blood of the New Covenant, Friends, drink ye all of it” I pronounce. Westley holds his cup as steady as he can…and then he drinks it and we drink it.
And Westley tastes God.
Watching my autistic son take communion, being soothed by its ritual, experiencing the taste of the liturgy in community in a way the wordy-words of the sermon and even the half-warbled hymns from his throat doesn’t.
Westley loves church, because he knows he is loved. He knows he is accepted. Working on body language, empathy & instinct, Westley will run from the room if he feels unwanted. He knows. This little boy who doesn’t sit, not even in front of his beloved electronics without fiddling or bouncing or squishing. Sits solemnly throughout service. participating not just with the community, but as a part of it.
But this is his church, this is his space, he is growing up here. And for a little boy who has a lot of trouble speaking and understanding words, the bread and the cup (grape juice) speak to him.
For Westley, Communion is community, its love, its ritual, its sensational in all the right ways. Communion is the taste of God, the one-ness with humanity. Seeing Westley take Communion is holy ground, because we ask God to be present, and miraculously, God is there. God is in the little boy who carefully picks his bread from the platter, and eats it, waiting for the cup to be raised, so we can drink it, as communion.
#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)
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