Order of Service – Friday 18 April 2025 – GOOD FRIDAY
Click the link below to doenload the Order of Service.
CALL TO WORSHIP
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out day by day, but You do not answer; by night, and I get no rest.
Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the praise of Israel.
In You our fathers put their trust; they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried to You and were saved; in You they trusted and were not disappointed. (Psalm 22:1-5)
HYMN: 350 “There is a Green Hill Far Away”
PRAYER
O mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, You stand among us in the shadows of our time. As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life, uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of Your risen Son, we will share in His resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be Your people. Amen!
RESPONSIVE READING
Father, today we ponder a great mystery of our faith — the death of Jesus.
We thank You, O Lord, that in the life and the death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, You have revealed Your immeasurable love to us.
We thank You that He, being in the form of God, humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!
We thank You that You raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place above, to be for mankind the promise of eternal life.
Grant that this holy day, when we recall Jesus’ dying agony and His redeeming love, may be to Christians everywhere a time of renewal in their commitment to Him.
Grant that we might grow in the hope and love of Christ.
May he who came to make all things new, renew us now, and continue with each passing day.
May we witness by word and deed for You that others may find harmony and peace with one another.
May we come to the Cross this day and approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Amen!
HYMN: 339 “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded”
A LITANY FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look around and see. Is any suffering like My suffering? (Lam. 1:12)
The Lord says:
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Saviour to the cross.
I brought you out of Egypt,
but you handed me over to the high priests.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One,
have mercy on us.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate’s court.
I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scourged me.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One,
have mercy on us.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you a royal sceptre,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One,
have mercy on us.
My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
For you I struck down the kings of Canaan,
but you pierced your Saviour with a lance.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One,
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You.
By Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.
We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
By Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
HYMN: 342 “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
SILENT MEDITATION and THE LORD’S PRAYER
BIBLE READINGS – Ian and Chris Butters
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (Pages 731-732) John 18:16b-42 (Pages 1073-1074)
MUSICAL REFLECTION
SERMON: “The Final Seven Words!” Rev. Krikor Youmshajekian
NOTICES – Movie/Pizza Night – Tues 6 May 6:30 am, start at 7:15 pm.
- Mother’s Day Munch – Sunday 11 May during Morning Tea.
OFFERING – In hope, trust and humility let us bring our offerings.
HYMN: 583 “Take Up Your Cross the Saviour Said”
COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Amen! Amen! Amen! (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Let’s go in peace and remember that Jesus died that we might live.
To contact Krikor call 0418 417 411
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au
Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740