March 29 — Good Friday

Our worship is in memory of the sacrificial, self-giving love offered to all on the cross by Jesus Christ.

SILENT REFLECTION — Crucifixion of Christ — #645

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP
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 are in disbelief.
One: How can Jesus be dying?
All: Truly, Jesus is the Son of God.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Everlasting God, we need you. You respond to the cries of your children from all walks of life. This day, though; Christ 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 Friday, 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 are aware of our need for your grace. We worship you. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

*HYMN — I Need Thee Every Hour — #169

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford

Refrain:
I need Thee oh I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power When Thou art nigh

I need Thee every hour In joy or pain
Come quickly and abide Or life is vain

I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One
Oh make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed son

CALL TO CONFESSION
One: God longs for us to come to God; to be truthful; and to confess our sin. God desires to free us from guilt and fear. Let us pray together.
All: God of steadfast love, we keep ourselves busy with pursuits that do not satisfy. We exhaust ourselves trying to fill our emptiness with activities and possessions that drain our energies rather than give life. Before you now, O God, we confess that we do not know how to live; and we are afraid to die. We readily excuse our own sin, but, at the same time, we are quick to condemn wrongdoing we see in others. Help us to own up to our sin and to repent. Forgive us when we do not do what you ask of us. Eternal God, we are sorry for failing you. Forgive us, Christ Jesus; we pray in your name. Amen.

SILENCE

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

*HYMN — Beneath the Cross of Jesus — #239

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat And the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me:
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss;
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.

GOD’S WORD — Isaiah 52:13-53:12

*HYMN — Were You There? — #266

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Christ on the Cross

The third hour
Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.”

The fourth hour
John 19:26-27
“Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother.”

The fifth hour
Luke 23:43
“Truly, truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The sixth hour
John 19:28
“I thirst.”

The seventh hour
Matthew 27:46
“My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”

The eighth hour
Luke 23:46
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

The ninth hour
John 19:30
“It is finished.”

SOLO — Tis Finished — Valerie Waterman, Soloist

+ Depart in silence +

April 7 – Good Friday

Good Friday Worship is a sacred remembrance of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

A link to this service will be added once worship begins on Friday at 1 p.m. You can view all of our worship services on our YouTube channel.

PRELUDE – Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir – Zachau

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Christ Jesus empties himself,
All: Taking the form of a servant.
One: Christ Jesus humbles himself,
All: And becomes obedient unto death – even death on a cross.
One: There is no greater love than this – to lay down one’s own life.
All: Christ Jesus died for you and me.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Merciful Savior, our souls are weighed down with grief and guilt over your Crucifixion. You are aware of all our burdens. Come, Christ Jesus, we need you now. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

*HYMN – Beneath the Cross of Jesus – #239

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat And the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me:
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss;
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Blessed Savior, each Good Friday invites the whole world to the foot of your cross. This is a forlorn and difficult place to be. Here, we discover ourselves pretending to follow you while not making true sacrifices. Here, we observe our mockeries, our betrayals and our denials of you. Beneath your cross, Jesus, we see our own guilt. Forgive us for crucifying you.
We cannot rewrite the story, but we can add new chapters. We can learn from this day. We must accept Good Friday as part of what we have done, if we are going to move on to new life. Jesus, lead us to become people who would plead with the authorities for your release and who value your teachings as the guide for living with compassion. In your time of trial, no one spoke up for you, Jesus. Now, in our time, we must listen to and speak on behalf of everyone who is being oppressed or crucified. Christ Jesus, your holy love is revealed on the cross as the amazing power to forgive all people. In your mercy, Dear Savior; hear our prayer. Amen.

SILENCE

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*RESPONSE – O How He Loves You and Me (Verses 1 and 2) – #254

Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you,
Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.

Jesus to Calv’ry did go,
His love for mankind to show.
What He did there, brought hope from despair.
Oh, how He loves you,
Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

THE LORD’S PRAYER (debts… debtors)

SPECIAL MUSIC – Were You There? – Kathryn Kuntzman, Cello

C h r i s t J e s u s S p e a k s f r o m t h e C r o s s

The third hour
Luke 23:34

The fourth hour
John 19:26-27

The fifth hour
Luke 23:43

The sixth hour
John 19:28

The seventh hour
Mark 15:34

The eighth hour
Luke 23:46

The ninth hour
John 19:30

SPECIAL MUSIC – It Is Finished (Hartman) – Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

DEPART IN SILENCE

Holy Week 2023 at Ivy Chapel

The final days of our walk toward Easter are upon us. We hope you’ll take a moment this week to pause, reflect and join us for special Holy Week worship services.

Sunday, April at 10 a.m.
Palm Sunday
Online and in-person worship

Friday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
Good Friday
Online and in-person worship

Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Easter
Children’s message during worship
Coffee fellowship after worship

All are welcome to join us as we complete our Lenten journeys. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Good Friday Virtual Worship

We glorify God our Savior for this extraordinary act of love; this holy sacrifice.

SILENT REFLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: This night, we remember
All: Christ betrayed.
One: This night, we remember
All: Christ arrested.
One: This night, we remember
All: Christ denied.
One: This night, we remember
All: Christ abused, and beaten, and sentenced to die.
One: This night, we remember
All: Christ crucified.

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
Everlasting God, we need you. You respond to the cries of your children from all walks of life. From the cross, Christ Jesus, you are the One crying out. Help us to hear your cries. Fill us with compassion for your pain and suffering. We are saved by your sacrifice. On this unforgettable night, may we be moved by the sorrows of betrayal, denial, cruelty, and condemnation that you endure for us. Your death is agony. This night, we remember you. Although we cannot fully imagine your excruciating pain, our souls ache as we recall you dying on the cross, Jesus.

You know our need for your grace. We worship and love you. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

HYMN – Beneath the Cross of Jesus – #239

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand
   The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land;
   A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
   From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
2. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
   The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
   And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess-
   The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
3. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place;
   I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
   Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss,
   My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross. CALL TO CONFESSION – Pastor Dan
   One: God longs for us to come to God; to be truthful; and to confess our sin.
   God wants to free us from all guilt and fear. Let us pray together.
   All: O Holy One, God Eternal; we frequently keep ourselves busy with things that do not satisfy. We try to fill our emptiness with activities and possessions that drain our energies rather than give life meaning. We get things all mixed up. We excuse our own sin at the same time that we condemn wrongdoing we see in others. Help us to own up to our sin and to repent. Have mercy on us, Dear God. We are sorry for failing you. Forgive us, we pray. Into your hands, we commend our souls. Amen. SILENCE ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS – Pastor Dan THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
   Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On 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 forever. Amen. GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 52:13-53:12 HYMN – Were You There? – #266 – Verses 1, 2 and 3 only
4. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
   Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
   O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
   Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
5. Were your there when they nailed Him to the tree?
   Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
   O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
   Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
6. Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
   Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
   O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
   Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Christ on the Cross

The third hour
Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

The fourth hour
John 19:26-27
“Woman, behold your son… Behold your mother.”

The fifth hour
Luke 23:43
“Truly, truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The sixth hour
John 19:28
“I thirst.”

The seventh hour
Matthew 27:46
“My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”

The eighth hour
Luke 23:46
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

The ninth hour
John 19:30
“It is finished.”

SPECIAL – ‘Tis Finished – Hartman –Marsha Fix, Vocalist

• Depart in silence +

Holy Week 2020: Good Friday

The Christian high holy day of Good Friday is the somber occasion when God’s Church remembers and grieves with deep sorrow the Crucifixion of Christ.

The Seven Last Words of Christ spoken from the Cross:

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.”  Then Jesus said to the disciple, “This is your mother.” John 19:26-27

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

“I am thirsty.” John 19:28

“It is finished.” John 19:30

“Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

After this final, spoken word, Jesus breathed his last.  As Matthew 27:50 states, “And when Jesus had cried out again with a loud voice; he gave up the ghost (breath).”

Jesus Christ died on the cross.  The End.

Tonight’s Hymn

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand –
The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noon-tide heat, And the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess –
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the Cross.

CCLI License #456361

Celebrate Holy Week 2015 with Ivy Chapel

We invite you to join us at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ during Holy Week 2015.

Manudy Thursday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. worship
Good Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m. worship
Easter Sunday, April 5 6:30 a.m. sunrise worship
Easter Sunday 10 a.m. worship

We look forward to celebrating our risen Savior with you this year.

If you have questions about Ivy Chapel, please contact our church office at 314-434-4991 or send us an email.

2014 Holy Week Schedule at Ivy Chapel

You are welcome to worship this week with us as we stop to pause and reflect on what it really means to be a follower of Christ. As we move from Palm Sunday to the joys of Easter, we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Come, make the journey to Easter with us, and celebrate God’s love.

Palm Sunday, April 13

10 a.m. worship

Maundy Thursday, April 17     

7:30 p.m. worship

Good Friday, April 18

7:30 p.m. worship

 Easter Sunday, April 20

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship (outdoor pavilion, weather permitting)

10 a.m. worship (Ivy Chapel Sanctuary)

 

Holy Week Services at Ivy Chapel

Join us as we celebrate the coming miracle of Easter. Following is Ivy’s Holy Week schedule:

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 1 at 7:30:  This is the evening of the Last Supper. There is a place at the table for everyone.

Good Friday: Friday, April 2 at 7:30: Worship at the foot of Christ’s Cross for one of the most powerful and meaningful services of the year.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 4

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship at Ivy: Join Rev. Dale Bartels from St. John’s UCC for a celebratory worship in Ivy’s sanctuary.

10 a.m. Resurrection Day worship at Ivy, with Holy Communion (all are welcome to participate)