Bulletin – Friday, April 19, 2019

Good Friday

“Be still and know that I am God!”

Call to Worship

One:    On this most solemn of days we gather for worship.
All:      Jesus, lead us from the darkness of the garden, to the bare courtyard and its soldiers. Draw us from Pilate’s palace and its crowds, through the streets of Jerusalem. Shepherd us to a lonely hillside where the lamb of God waits for us.
One:    We would follow you, Jesus, on this, your day of suffering.

Opening Hymn  VU #135 “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

Prayer

O God, we return today to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus, and to contemplate what it means to have faith in the midst of suffering, loss, and injustice. Even in this story of broken lives and broken hearts, we trust in your presence, you powers, and your ways. We trust that in the midst of suffering, You, O God, are comfort. When injustice appears to triumph, and justice appears to have been crucified, You, O God, are the one who calls us to believe the good news and act with justice. When we stray from the path on which you lead us, You, O God, offer grace that invites us back to your ways. When night surrounds us, and we are fearful and lacking vision, You, O God, are the light that finds, surrounds and guides us. When the world groans under the bonds of oppression, violence and indifference, You, O God, empower your people to offer the balm of courageous compassion and peacemaking. When the curtain has ripped, the thunder has rolled, and the world appears to have lost its Saviour, You, O God, are our hope for victory! We wait for you. Amen.

(adapted from Rev. Kelly Burd, United Church of Christ)

Hymn  VU #134 “Shadows Gather, Deep and Cold”

Scripture Reading:   John 18:1-11

Anthem – “Why Did It Have To Come To This?”

Scripture Reading:   John 18:12-27

Solo – “Bitter Was the Night”

Scripture Reading:   John 18:28-38a

Hymn  VU #133 “Go to Dark Gethsemane”

Scripture Reading:   John 18:38b-9:16

Anthem – “Shadows of the Night”

Scripture Reading:   John 19:17-30

Anthem – “O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile”

Scripture Reading:   John 19:31-37

Hymn  VU #137 “The Love That Clothes Itself in Light” (verses 3-5)

Scripture Reading:   John 19:38-42

Closing Litany

All:      They looked upon the one they pierced.
One:    We look upon the one that was pierced and we wonder why? Why did one who comes in love and peace have to die by such violence?
All:      They looked upon the one they pierced.
One:    We look upon the one they pierced and we wonder how? How could this have happened? How does it still happen in our world, those who come to speak love and peace are often faced with such violence?
All:      They looked upon the one they pierced.
One:    We look upon the one they pierced and we wonder what is next? Did they and have we finally and completely rejected God, will God still love and care for us after such violence?
All:      They looked upon the one they pierced.
One:    We look upon the one they pierced and what do we see? Do we only see death and emptiness? Is there something more that we don’t see? For God so loved the world, for God so loved the world. In this place of death and sadness help us to see more than what we do today, help us to see God’s love lived out in those who bring love and peace in the face of violence and death.

Sung Response:         Be still and know that I am God (3x)