Good Friday2016

The congregations of

St. Paul’s United Methodist Churchand

Covenant Presbyterian Church

12:00 PM

“What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest Friend,

for this, thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?

O make me thine forever, and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee.”“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153

trans. by Paul Gerhardt, 1656

The Striking of the Hour

The Introit: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” Russ Givens, Tenor soloist

*The InvocationAlmighty Father, whose beloved Son was on this day crucified for us – the just for the unjust, the guiltless for the guilty – to reconcile us to you: grant to us the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may receive and believe anew the promise of the gospel; and so may we, with humility and gratitude, take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus in loving devotion and faithful obedience, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

*The Opening Sentences (responsively): Romans 5:6,8; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24

While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us –

for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

*The Hymn #251: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

*The Prayer of Adoration

The Call to Confession: A Reading of Mark 15:33-39

The Prayer of Confession (in unison):Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Gracious, merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love: you have not left us to perish in our sins, but have come to us as one of us, to live for us and to die for us, that we might have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins, and peace with you through the blood of the cross.

In your holy presence, we acknowledge and confess our sinful nature, our evil inclinations, and all the ways in which we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.

“Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.

’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied Thee: I crucified Thee!”

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to the promise of the gospel. Renew my mind, cleanse my heart, strengthen my soul, and lead us all in the way everlasting, in fellowship with all who follow Jesus; to the glory of your name. Amen.

The Assurance of Pardon

The Meditation in Music: “Were You There?” Russ Givens, Tenor soloist

The Reading of Holy Scripture: Hebrews 10:16-25

The Sermon: “It Has Just Begun” Rev. Dr. Tim Neustifter,

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

*The Hymn of Affirmation #252: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

The Pastoral Prayer

The Dedication: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” v. 3Russ Givens, Tenor soloist

*The Charge and Benediction

*The Postlude

Please be dismissed in quiet reverence. The peace of the Lord be with you.