Worship

 

Opening Prayer

Loving God

We stand at the foot of the cross and remember what happened when your Son was crucified for us. In this act of worship may we know your presence with us. Amen.

Hymn: StF 287 When I survey

Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne-kTyAnDsE&list=PLfJKMN-CtuWCeWWWKYxMLY_81soj1dufJ&index=4

 

When I survey the wondrous cross,

on which the Prince of Glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

 

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

save in the death of Christ my God;

all the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to his blood.

 

See from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down;

did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown?

 

His dying crimson, like a robe,

spreads o'er his body on the tree;

then am I dead to all the globe,

and all the globe is dead to me.

 

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were an offering far too small;

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

 

Let us pray together

Gracious God, today we remember the sacrifice your son made by his death upon the cross. We thank you that he was willing to suffer and die for us. As we remember, we recognise that we have often nailed Jesus to the cross. We have not always acted in ways that show others your love. And for this we are sorry. Through the cross, we know ourselves forgiven. As we turn from this place, we again commit ourselves to sharing your love with all we meet. We offer these and all our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Today’s Reading from the Old Testament Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Today’s Gospel Reading: John 19:17-42

Time to Reflect

Today is Good Friday. Some people may ask why call it Good Friday when it wasn’t really a good day because of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. For those first disciples it certainly didn’t feel like it was at all, indeed for them it was probably better described as ‘Black Friday’ as they saw their friend and teacher die on the cross and all their hopes and dreams for the future die with him. Or so they thought. But I am jumping too far ahead here. On Good Friday we remember the day when the sky turned black and the Son of God was crucified.

A few years ago I had the privilege of being a part of a town-wide passion play which took place on Easter Saturday. I was one of the team working backstage. One powerful moment for me was during the dress rehearsal the day before on Good Friday itself. Just as the light was starting to fade we reached the crucifixion scene. Our director would have probably told me off for this but I came down from the steps at the side of the stage and on to the square to watch the scene since I wouldn’t see it properly the following day. The atmosphere in that square by that point had completely changed. A few people had stopped to watch. It was that quiet that you could hear a pin drop. It isn’t easy to put into words how powerful that scene was on Good Friday but I certainly felt as though I was at the foot of the cross 2000 and odd years ago watching Jesus die for us all.

The cross suggested that everything was over. But we know that it wasn’t. For we know now that Easter Sunday is coming. But before then we recall and remember Jesus’ suffering on the cross and all that he endured for us. He didn’t have to but he did. Why? Because he loves us so much that he was prepared to die for each and every one of us. So although right now it can seem like all is dark and hopeless we need to remember that over 2000 years ago Jesus was nailed to the cross to bring us peace and hope although it can feel that hope and peace are far away from us right now. He was nailed to the cross that we might know God’s love for each and every one of us. So as we remember and reflect on the events of that first Good Friday over 2000 years ago we remember the love for us that was shown upon that cross.

Take a time to sit quietly

A time of prayer

As we remember all that happened on that first Good Friday we bring our concerns and prayers and lay them down at the foot of the cross.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, on this day you sacrificed your life, upon the cross, for each and every one of us. You suffered unimaginable pain. You could have chosen not to go through with, it but you did not. In doing so you showed God’s love for the world.

 

We bring to the foot of your cross our concerns and prayers for the world in which we live. We pray for those areas of the world where there is suffering, violence and conflict. We pray for peace across the world. May the world know the love for them that you demonstrated upon the cross.

 

We pray Lord for the church. As the world continues to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic it needs the church more than ever. Help your church to share your love and to offer hope everywhere. Give us your guidance that your church may be equipped and strengthened for the work to which you have called it.

 

We bring to the foot of your cross those facing challenging times. So many people in our world are suffering. We offer our prayers for those we know who need our prayers. We place their names at the foot of the cross and ask that they may be aware of your love and strength at this difficult time.

 

We bring to the foot of your cross those who have died. We bring them to you in the knowledge that they are with you and that you have gathered them into your loving arms. We ask that those who mourn are comforted, knowing that their loved ones are with you and are at peace.

 

We kneel at the foot of your cross. We remember Lord Jesus how you showed your love for the world. Equip us to share that message with others. Guide us in the right direction and help us to face whatever challenges lie before us. As we stand and look from the cross to your tomb and all that awaits in a few days’ time remind us again of the hope and good news that we can share with others.

We ask these and all our prayers in your name. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father ……

Hymn: Listen to StF 270 Come and see

or sing a verse of a hymn that comes to mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gizXMaQ7Y5o

Come and see, come and see,

come and see the King of love;

see the purple robe and crown of thorns he wears.

Soldiers mock, rulers sneer

as he lifts the cruel cross;

lone and friendless now, he climbs towards the hill.

 

      We worship at your feet,

      where wrath and mercy meet,

      and a guilty world is washed

      by love's pure stream.

      For us he was made sin --

      oh, help me take it in.

      Deep wounds of love cry out

      'Father, forgive.'

      I worship, I worship

      the Lamb who was slain.

 

Come and weep, come and mourn

for your sin that pierced him there;

so much deeper than the wounds of thorn and nail.

All our pride, all our greed,

all our fallenness and shame;

and the Lord has laid the punishment on him.

 

Man of heaven, born to earth

to restore us to your heaven.

Here we bow in awe beneath your searching eyes.

From your tears comes our joy,

from your death our life shall spring;

by your resurrection power we shall rise.

Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)

 

A prayer of blessing

Loving God

We step away from the cross and look towards the tomb in which your Son was laid and from which he was raised. As we journey away from the cross towards the tomb and onward to resurrection, we go in the knowledge that you are with us
every step of the way. Amen.

Original Materials by Rebekah S M Fairhurst Bolton Methodist Mission

All

 Hymns reproduced under CCLi 1144191. 

Local Churches please insert CCCLi No here here3382 / 761