April 3 2026 —  Good Friday

Ever faithful

PRELUDE — What Wondrous Love is This?

CALL TO WORSHIP  —  Linda Lowry                           
One: We come now to the hill at Calvary.
All: The love of God leads to the Cross.
One: The Servant Messiah summons us.
All: Despised and rejected; Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with all our griefs.
One: The Anointed One of God, whom we have grown to love dearly, is being crucified.
All: We gather in the shadow of the cross, remembering the depth of Christ’s love, and the cost of our redemption.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
Everlasting God, we need you. You respond to the cries of your children throughout the world. But this day Jesus, you are the One crying out. Help us to hear your cries; to see what you see; to feel what you feel. We are saved by your sacrifice. On this unforgettable day, may we be moved by the sorrows of betrayal, denial, cruelty, and condemnation that you endure for us.
Your suffering and death are agony. On this day, we remember your excruciating pain, dying on the cross for all people. Our souls ache with grief and guilt over your crucifixion, Jesus. You know of our need for your grace. We worship you. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

HYMN —  Beneath the Cross of Jesus — No.239         

PRAYER OF CONFESSION — Linda Lowry     
We confess to You, our Lord and Savior, that we have betrayed and denied You, forgotten and doubted You. When our faith is tested, we wonder where You are. When we see injustice in the world, we often stand by, we turn our backs, we ignore the cries of others.  We confess that again and again we deny You and betray You with our silence when we fail to proclaim Your Good News, when we fail to live out Your teachings and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Forgive us, O God, and help us to truly repent. Help us to remember Your sacrifice, Your love, and to know Your forgiveness.  In the name of the One who lived, who was crucified, and who lives again, Jesus the Messiah, we pray. Amen.

SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell                         
God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.  He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.  For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.  As far as the east from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. 

HYMN — Were You There? — No.266
Verses 1,2,3 only

GOD’S WORD — Matthew 26:36-46                           

SPECIAL MUSIC — Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

The Last Day in the Life of Christ
Betrayal
John 18:1-11

Denial
John 18:15-18, 25-27

Interrogation
John 18:28-38

Rejection
John 19:1-7

Condemnation
John 19:8-16a

Crucifixion
John 19:16b-27

Completion
John 19:28-30

SPECIAL MUSIC — It Is Finished  — Bob Hartman
Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

DEPART IN SILENCE