Good Friday Service April 18, 2025

FRIDAY, April 18th, 2025

Good Friday

All are Welcome!

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The Gathering

WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison

As we gather here on the ancestral territory of the Nishnaabeg, let us be thankful that God/Creator is with us, calling us to be ministers of reconciliation as light for all God’s people.

CALL TO WORSHIP:

One: Betrayal, by those close and trusted,
ALL: and there is crucifixion.
One:    Judgment, by the ones with power,
ALL: and there is crucifixion.
One:    Mocking, without fear of comeback,
ALL: and there is crucifixion.
One:    Fear, experienced by close and dear ones,
ALL: and there is crucifixion.
One:    Abandonment, known by God's anointed one,
ALL: and there is crucifixion.
One:    We approach the crucifixion place,
ALL: but will we look away? Will we turn away?
One: May the courage of God's presence be with us in our worship today.

OPENING HYMN: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” VU #149

11 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.

2 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.

3 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?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small:

love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

ANTHEM: “Come and Mourn With Me Awhile”

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:7, 14-23, 39-46

ANTHEM: “Where You There in Gethsemane?”

SCRIPTURE: Luke 22: 47-51, 54-71

ANTHEM: “I Claim the Cross”

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23: 1-25

HYMN: “OLD RUGGED CROSS”

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

o Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

2. Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23: 26-43

ANTHEM: “Greater for the Journey”

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23: 44-56

ANTHEM: “He’s Been There Too”

HYMN: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” VU #142

1 Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

2 Near the cross, a trembling soul,

love and mercy found me;

there the bright and morning star

sheds its beams around me. R

3 Near the cross! O Lamb of God,

bring its scenes before me;

help me walk from day to day

with its shadow o'er me. R

4 Near the cross I'll watch and wait,

hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand

just beyond the river. R

BENEDICTION:

One:    Go protesting from this place;
ALL: we have witnessed a huge injustice.
One:    Go grieving from this place;
ALL: we have witnessed a mockery of a trial.
One:    Go disillusioned from this place;
ALL: we have witnessed contempt in those who wield power.
One:    Go abundantly thankful from this place;
ALL: for Jesus was tested, Jesus was crucified, but remained faithful.

One: Go quietly, go with your friends, go toward Easter, and rejoice in knowing that God, your loving God, goes with you.

CLOSING:

* Soloist will sing first 2 lines of each verse.

* Congregation and Choir join for last 2 lines of each verse.

HYMN: “Were You There?” VU #144

1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? soloist

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? soloist