April 2 “The Cross and the Uncertainty of Suffering” The extent of Jesus’ suffering on the cross is beyond our comprehension. For followers of Christ there is the uncertainty of suffering with a range of questions about the suffering to be endured. With the call to suffer for Christ, through him we can embrace the uncertain and face unsteady times.
Good Friday 7:00 p.m.
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GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Prelude
The Greeting:
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. While one could say that Good Friday is the saddest day of the year for Christians, the word “good” is used to show how good it was that Jesus died to save us from sin and eternal separation from God. Since we cannot be good enough to save ourselves, how good it is to have Jesus as our Savior.
Call To Worship:
Leader: We gather to remember the One who was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
People: Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
* The Opening Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” #297
The Solemn Intercession: “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. (Matthew 16:21)
Christ had to suffer many things, including rejection by his generation. (Luke 17:25)
We give thanks for Christ suffering for us.
It was necessary for Christ to suffer these things to enter His glory. (Luke 24:26)
We give thanks for Christ suffering for us.
God announced beforehand that His Christ would suffer. (Acts 3:18)
We give thanks for Christ suffering for us.
God found it fitting to perfect the author of our salvation through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)
We give thanks for Christ suffering for us.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21)
We give thanks for Christ suffering for us and giving us His example to follow.
To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. (1 Peter 4:13)
We give thanks for sharing in the sufferings of Christ and rejoice in Him.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
(1 Peter 5:10)
We give our praise to God in gratitude for Christ’s call upon us and His assurances for us in our sufferings.
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #298 (verses 1 & 2)
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 53:1-12 Pew Bible Page 683
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” #298 (verses 3 & 4)
The Old Testament Lesson Psalm 22 Pew Bible Page 500
The Prayer
Almighty God, graciously behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 27:45-50 Pew Bible Page 33
*Hymn: 288 “Were You There”
Improv Worship Team Character Witnesses
The Message: “The Cross and the Uncertainty of Suffering” Kirk Peterson
The Closing Hymn: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” #301
The Draping of the Altar
The Dismissal
Organists: Lindsey Pertuset, Janet Oligee
Choir Director: Juli Peterson