Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

Merciful and Everlasting God, who hast not spared Thine only Son, but delivered Him up for us all that He might bear our sins upon the Cross, grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God world without end. Amen.

~ Lindemann, p. 124

Call to Worship  

Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

Te Deum Laudamus

You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

Chronological Reading for the Day

Friday: 2 Sam. 15-17

Chronological Holy Week Readings

Good Friday: Matt. 27.1-61; Mark 15.1-47; Luke 22.66-23.56a; John 18.28-19.42

Lectionary Readings

Psalm: Ps. 22

OT: Isa. 52.13-53.12

Gospel: John 18.1-19.42

NT: Heb. 4.14-16; 5.7-9

(Click here for all readings)

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Benediction  
O God, Whose beloved Son gave up his life on the cross that we might have life and have it abundantly; we who have known but refused his salvation appeal to thy mercy and seek thy help. Pardon and deliver us, we beseech thee, from tempers and ambitions that make for destruction and death, from all greed of gain, all lust of power, all pride of race or class, all contempt of others, all willingness to reap an advantage at the expense of the poor and the unprotected. Shame and arrest us by the pain of those who have been wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. And direct our hearts to the steadfastness of Christ, who consented to suffer at the hands of others but never to inflict suffering upon any man or woman or little child. Give us grace to follow the example of his great devotion, and bring us to his trust and confidence in thee, that so we may be no longer the agents of death but of life and joy and peace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Tittle, pp. 63-64

Affirmation from the Psalms
Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; [13] they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. [14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; [15] my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. [16] For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet – [17] I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat over me; [18] they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. [19] But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

~ Psalm 22.1-8

Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
You, O Lord and Savior, carried my sorrows and were chastised for my peace. Through your wounds I am healed.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

By His Wounds We Are Healed

Isaiah 52.13-53.12

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Book Reading

Alcorn, Heaven