We’re not able to meet together as church family today and for the coming weeks. Although, by necessity, we have to stay apart physically, we’re standing together to love, support and encourage one another. So, in around 75 different homes, we’ll sing the same songs, pray the same prayers and look together at John 19:16-30. There are some activities for those aged 14 or under to do and a bible talk from Rich for us to listen to.
For each person in your home, you’ll need a copy of this service sheet, a bible, print outs of the children’s sheets (if needed) and your computer or tablet to click on the links below. Please note that the songs are being played from YouTube, if one of the annoying adverts pop up, click on the ‘skip ad’ button.
Today’s service sheet can be downloaded here
Today’s resources for E Kids can be found here
The thinking behind the song choices is explained in italics
WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER
Watch the video of Rich’s welcome and intro by clicking here
Our opening song reminds us that Jesus is the King who died for us, and so it’s right that we praise him.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Jesus is Lord
the cry that echoes through creation;
resplendent power, eternal Word, our Rock.
The Son of God,
the King whose glory fills the heavens,
yet bids us come to taste this living Bread.
Jesus is Lord –
whose voice sustains the stars and planets,
yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown.
Jesus the Man,
who washed our feet, who bore our suffering
became a curse to bring salvation’s plan.
Jesus is Lord –
the tomb is gloriously empty!
Not even death could crush this King of love!
The price is paid,
the chains are loosed, and we’re forgiven,
and we can run into the arms of God.
‘Jesus is Lord’ –
a shout of joy, a cry of anguish,
as He returns, and every knee bows low.
Then every eye and every heart will see His glory,
the Judge of all will take His children home.
VIDEO
Our video shows what an amazing thing it was that Jesus should die on the first Good Friday.
Around 1,000 years before Jesus was on earth, God said what would happen to Jesus, through this psalm, written by king David..
Psalm 22 (abridged)
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?
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax;
it has melted within my chest.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet;
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
O you, my help, come quickly to my aid!
You have rescued my precious life from the dogs!
In the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he has not despised the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
All the ends of the earth shall turn to the LORD.
Future generations will be told about him.
They shall proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn,
for he has done it.
Psalm 22 finished “he has done it”. Those words are picked up by Jesus’s dying cry from the cross: “it is finished”. Our next song celebrates all that Jesus has achieved by his death for us.
SONG – listen by clicking here
How deep the Father’s love for us
how vast beyond all measure,
that he should give his only Son
to make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turns his face away,
as wounds which mar the Chosen One
bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon the cross,
my sin upon his shoulders;
ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there
until it was accomplished;
his dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom;
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer;
but this I know with all my heart,
his wounds have paid my ransom.
PRAYERS
[Say aloud the prayers that are printed here on the sheet. If there’s more than one of you, you might like to take it in turns who says the prayer out loud. If it’s just you or you’re with people who aren’t able or confident in reading then say them all yourself!]
Father God, we praise you for Jesus. We remember today, the pain and suffering of the cross, and all that Jesus was willing to endure, so that we could be set free. He paid the price, such a great sacrifice, so that we could have the offer of eternal life. Amen.
Father we are sorry for the times we have been too busy or distracted by other things to remember Jesus’ death. We are sorry for the times we have taken for granted this great gift of love. Please forgive us. Please help us never to forget what Jesus did on the cross. Please help us to understand it more and more. And please may our love and trust in you grow as we see more clearly your great love for us. Amen.
We thank you for our brothers and sisters around the world who are gathering today, whether in person or online, to remember Jesus’ death. Please will they too draw great comfort and encouragement from being reminded of what he has done for them. Whatever their situation, please help them to keep following Jesus. Amen.
Thank you Lord that by your wounds we are healed. Thank you that because of your great sacrifice we can live free. Thank you that sin and death have been conquered, death has lost its sting, and you are making all things new. Thank you that we have great hope because of your words on the cross: “It is finished…” Amen.
In our next song we celebrate all that Jesus’s death means for us.
SONG – listen by clicking here
Man of sorrows, Lamb of God,
by His own betrayed.
The sin of man and wrath of God
has been on Jesus laid.
Silent as He stood accused,
beaten, mocked, and scorned.
Bowing to the Father’s will,
He took a crown of thorns.
Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation,
where Your love poured out over me.
Now my soul cries out, “Hallelujah!
Praise and honour unto Thee.”
Sent of heaven, God’s own Son,
to purchase and redeem,
and reconcile the very ones
who nailed Him to that tree.
Oh, that rugged cross…
Now my debt is paid, it is paid in full
by the precious blood that my Jesus spilled.
Now the curse of sin has no hold on me.
Whom the Son sets free, oh is free indeed.
See the stone is rolled away,
behold the empty tomb.
Hallelujah, God be praised!
He’s risen from the grave!
Oh, that rugged cross…
Watch the bible talk video for the reading and bible talk from Richard by clicking here
BIBLE READING
John 19:16-30
BIBLE TALK
Promise of Forgiveness
Talk outline:
1. Jesus is the promised King
2. Jesus is the promised Saviour
‘It is finished!’ Our final song celebrates the meaning of these words for us.
SONG – listen by clicking here
‘Tis, finished! The Messiah dies
cut off for sins, but not his own.
Accomplished is the sacrifice,
the great redeeming work is done.
‘Tis, finished! All the debt is paid,
justice divine is satisfied,
the grand and full atonement made;
God for a guilty world has died!
The veil is rent in Christ alone,
the living way to heaven is seen.
the middle wall is broken down,
and all mankind may enter in.
The types and figures are fulfilled,
Exacted is the legal pain,
The precious promises are sealed,
The spotless Lamb of God is slain.
The reign of sin and death is o’er,
and all may live, from sin set free.
Satan has lost his mortal power,
‘tis swallowed up in victory.
Saved from the legal curse I am;
my Saviour hangs on yonder tree!
See there the meek, expiring Lamb;
‘Tis finished! He expires for me.
Accepted in the Well-beloved,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
I see the bar to heaven removed,
and all your merits, Lord, are mine.
Death, hell and sin are now subdued,
all grace is now to sinners given,
and lo I plead the atoning blood,
and in your right I claim your heaven.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we pray that being rooted and established in love, we may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Amen.
That’s the end of our service. As you tuck into your hot cross buns, why not make some video calls to others in the church to encourage and support one another?
Some material in this service is © Used by permission CCL Licence # 1102690
Good Friday movie is © Used by permission of Hyper Pixels Media