Call to Worship: –

(from Isaiah 52: 13-15 & 53: 1-12 NIV )

“See, my servant will act wisely;he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him;
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any Human being
and his form marred beyond Human likeness,
so he will startle many Nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Who has believed our message and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by Mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of lifeand be satisfied;
by his knowledgemy righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.”

We pray together:

Eternal God,

in the cross of Jesus, we see the cost of our sin

and the depth of your love:

in humble hope and fear may we place at his feet

all that we have and all that we are,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Narrator       A small group of people gathered around sharing in the celebrations of the Passover Feast.  They were enjoying themselves, lost in conversation and ceremony. 

Jesus took the unleavened bread.  He gave thanks and broke it saying:

“This is my body which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, held it up and said,

“The cup poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn SIS 284

[In the worship service, only the first two verses are being sung.]

Jimmy Owens

Men               Jesus was saying many things that we did not understand – that one of us would betray him – that he would die – that he would rise again – that we should remember the words he said – and that the first will be last.

Women         Then Jesus took the bowl of water and towel, knelt before us and proceeded to wash our feet. 

Men               Jesus performed the servant’s tasks.  What was He really doing?

Women         Slowly, we began to understand the implications of that time we shared together.  His actions pointed to a new way of life.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn  ‘Kneels at the feet of his friends’ 

[In the worship service we will sing only the first verse and chorus and the fourth verse and chorus.]

Words and music Tom Colvin and the people of Ghana

Narrator       After the Passover meal was over, Jesus went with some of the disciples to a garden called Gethsemane to pray.

Men               Jesus said for us to keep watch and withdrew from us about a stone’s throw to pray.  We heard the words:

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.”

Women         It seemed like the weight of the world was upon Him.  Tears fell from His face like drops of blood.

Hymn

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the hymn ‘The Servant King’

[Only the first three verses & choruses are being sung in the worship service.]

Graham Kendrick

Narrator       The stillness of the night air was shattered as the sounds of purposeful feet, the rustling of heavy uniforms, and agitated voices came closer and, without warning, the light from flaming torches burst into the garden. 

Men               Where is he?  This Jesus?  We have our orders to arrest him.

Narrator       Then Judas came forward, embraced Jesus and kissed Him.  Despite feeble attempts by the disciples to protect their teacher and friend, Jesus admonished his disciples and allowed the arresting soldiers to seize him.

They took him to the High priest’s house.  Peter, the disciple who professed his own bravery and faithfulness, followed at a distance and waited in the shadows of the courtyard.

Women         Weren’t you one of them who was with him?

Men               I do not know him.

Women         Yes, you also are one of them who followed him.

Men               No, I am not.

Women         I am certain that you were with him, for you are a Galilean.

Men                I do not know what you are saying.

Narrator       Immediately, while he was speaking the sound of the cock was heard nearby.  Peter remembered the word of the Lord and how he had said “Before the cock crows today you will deny me three times”.  Peter went out and wept bitterly.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn: ‘Before the cock crew twice’

[This hymn is being adapted so as to be sung to the St Cecilia. It is for another hymn, but is used here for the tune.]

Verse 1 of 3

Before the cock crew twice,

this dreadful hour of trial,

the Apostle uttered thrice,

wherein his dark denial.

Verse 2 of 3

And then the Saviour turned,

on Peter gazing,

a look divine, that yearned

with love amazing.

Verse 3 of 3

Swiftly to Peter’s face

the shame came leaping,

he had denied the grace.

He quickly went weeping.

Hallgrim Pjetursson

translated by Charles Pilcher  (adapted)

Narrator       The ones who were holding Jesus mocked him.  They beat him.  They blind-folded him.

Men               Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?

Women         If you are the Christ, tell us?

Narrator       But he said to them.  “If I tell you, you will not believe me.  But the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of Almighty God.”

                        The trial began.  False witnesses were brought.  Lies were told.  And the crowded room was ready to erupt.            

All                   Are you the Son of God?

Narrator       And He said to them, “You say that I am.”

All                   Blasphemy!  What further proof do we need?  We have heard it from His own lips!  Blasphemy!  He does not deserve to live!

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn: ‘O dearest Jesus, why aren’t you acquitted?’  TiS337

[This hymn is being sung to the tune Christe Sanctorum.]

Verse 1 of 2

O dearest Jesus, why aren’t you acquitted?

What crime so dreadful can you have committed?

How are you guilty?  Everyone condemns you.

No-one defends you.

Verse 2 of 2

With thorns they crown you, strike your face and beat you;

they jeer, they mock you, with contempt they treat you,

the righteous Master pays what servants owed him,

though they disown him.

Johann Heermann

translated by David Schbert

Narrator       Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor.

Men               He is perverting our Nation!

Women         He forbids a tribute to Caesar!

Men               He calls himself Christ the King!

Women         He has broken our laws!

All                   He deserves to die!

Narrator       Pilate asked the question?  Are you the King of the Jews?

Jesus replied, “You have said so.”

Then Pilate announced that he could find no fault.

“This man has committed no crime.”

Men               But he stirs up the people.

Women         From Galilee to this place

Narrator       And so Jesus was sent to Herod.  Once again, he was accused, treated with contempt, and mocked.  He was arrayed in purple and, cruelly, a crown of thorns was placed upon His head.

He was sent back to Pilate, who, after questioning Jesus, pronounced, “I find him innocent.  He will be chastised and released.”

All                   Away with this man!  Away!  Crucify him!  Release to us Barabbas instead! ……Crucify him!…… Crucify him!

Narrator       The voices grew louder and more urgent.  Finally, their voices prevailed.  Pilate released the murderer Barabbas, according to a custom of the time, and delivered Jesus up to their will, to be crucified.

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn: ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ 

[Only verses 1 and 2 are being sung in the worship service.]

 Based on an African- American spiritual

Narrator       And so began the slow procession to The Place of the Skull where the cruelty prevailed.

Men               We were there when the nails were hammered in.

Women         We were there when the sign was placed above him which read “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”

Men               We were there when Jesus was lifted up to hang there, naked, before the World.

Women         We were there when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not knowwhatthey are doing.”

Men               We were there when the soldiers cast lots for his garments.

Women         We were there when the soldiers moistened his lips with vinegar.

Narrator       It was now the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed.  And the curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

Men               We were there when Jesus shouted out “My God, my God.  Why have you forsaken me?”

Women        We were there when Jesus cried out “It is finished!”, breathed his last, and died.

(The narrator extinguishes the candle)

You are invited to listen to, or join in singing the Hymn ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’

Words Isaac Watts           music Edward Miller

Narrator       It was late in the day.  All seemed incredibly still when a good and righteous man named Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 

The body of Jesus was wrapped in a linen shroud and laid to rest in a rock hewn tomb, where no one had ever been laid.

The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee saw where the body had been laid, returned home and prepared the spices and ointments to anoint to body.

Then they rested according to the Sabbath.

We pray together:

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come,
your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.
For the Kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.

We go, blessed by the great love of God,

embraced by the sacrificial love Jesus Christ,

sustained by the empowering love of the Holy Spirit.

Create quiet time during the Easter weekend to read and meditate on one of the gospel accounts:

  Matthew 26:1 – 28:20, Mark 14:1 – 16:20, Luke 22:1 – 24:12, John 17:1 – 20:18