Special Posts

Worship Service for April 18, 2021 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: The Wonderful Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most, 
I sacrifice them to His blood

Chorus:
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near and bless your name.

See from his head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Chorus

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Our Heavenly Father asks us to come into His presence.

C: But we are sinful and unworthy. 

P: Yes, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross that we may be forgiven and washed clean of all our sins by His blood spilled on the cross.

C: Lord, if You wash us, we will certainly be clean and pure.

P: We take a moment to bow before the His cross and silently reflect on our lives and confess our sins.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess, together, our sins to God our Father.

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinners.  We have sinned against you and our neighbors. We have not loved you with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not lived out our faith out in our community. We justly deserve Your punishment.  For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name.  Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I, therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Doxology

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Repeat

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen

First Reading – Acts 3:11–21

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Second Reading – 1 John 3:1–7

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message (Children dismissed to Children’s Church)

Sermon Hymn – 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Chorus:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, 0 my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.  

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Chorus

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger.
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Chorus:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, 0 my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.  

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near, and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore! Forevermore!

Chorus

I’ll worship Your holy name. Yes, I’ll worship Your holy name.

Sermon – Series: The Church             “Opening Our Minds to the Scriptures”
Luke 24:36–49

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord

C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Special Song: Word of God Speak

I’m finding myself at a loss for words  
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard, 
But to hear what You would say

Chorus:
Word of God speak. Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see Your majesty
To be still and know That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You,
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Chorus 2x

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace And crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him who saves you by His grace And crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, Whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, man divine, And crown Him Lord of all.
The God incarnate, Man divine, And crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget The wormwood and the gall,
Go, spread your trophies at His feet And crown Him Lord of all.
Go, spread your trophies at His feet And crown Him Lord of all.

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry   tribe, On this terrestrial ball
To Him all majesty ascribe And crown Him Lord of all.
To Him all majesty ascribe And crown Him Lord of all.

Offering

Upcoming Events

April 25, After the Service – Voter Meeting

Song and Dance

Worship Service for April 11, 2021 at 11 AM

Welcome

Song: Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia

Christ has arisen, alleluia.  Rejoice and praise Him, alleluia.
For our Redeemer burst from the tomb,
Even from death, dispelling its gloom.

Refrain:
Let us sing praise to Him with endless joy;
Death’s fearful sting He has come to destroy.
Our sin forgiving, alleluia!  Jesus is living, alleluia!

For three long days the grave did its worst
Until its strength by God was dispersed.
He who gives life did death undergo;
And in its conquest His might did show.

Refrain

The angel said to them, Do not fear!
You look for Jesus who is not here.
See for yourselves the tomb is all bare;
Only the grave cloths are lying there.

Refrain

Go spread the news: He’s not in the grave; He has arisen this world to save.
Jesus’ redeeming labors are done; Even the battle with sin is won.

Refrain

Christ has arisen; He sets us free; Alleluia, to Him praises be.
Jesus is living! Let us all sing; He reigns triumphant, heavenly King.

Refrain

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: As we gather, today, let us cleanse our hearts and our consciences by confessing our sin to God.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we are sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you and against our neighbor in our thoughts, words, and actions.  We are truly sorry for our sins and sincerely repent of them. We ask for Your mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ’s bitter suffering and death, please forgive us and renew us that we may walk in Your Spirit to the glory of Your holy name.

P: The Lord has heard your confession. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

First Reading: Acts 4:32–35

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Second Reading: 1 John 1:1—2:2

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Gospel Reading: John 20:30–31

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Sermon Song: They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

Chorus:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in   hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

Chorus

We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by   side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each other’s pride.

Chorus

Sermon – Fellowship with Each Other in Christ

Prayers

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, died and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction

Closing Song: Goodness Of God

I love you, Lord, For your mercy never fails me.
All my days, I’ve been held in your hands
From the moment that I wake up, Till I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God

Chorus:
All my life you have been faithful. 
All my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

I love your voice.  You have led me through the fire
In darkest night you are close like no other.
I’ve known you as a father. I’ve known you as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give you everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
(Repeat)

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give you everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
(Repeat)

Chorus

Offering  

Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 11, Noon – Fellowship and Games
Song and Dance

Sunday, April 11, 3pm – Youth Beach Trip
Sand Key Beach

April 25, After the Service – Voter Meeting

Song and Dance

Easter Worship Service for April 04, 2021 at 11:00 AM

Welcome

P: He is risen!
C: He is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

Opening Song: Jesus Christ is Risen, Today

Verse 1:

Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Verse 2:
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

Verse 3:
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Verse 4:
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!
Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, whose rising from the empty tomb brings to us the promise of life eternal. And so, we confess together in the presence of the living God,

C: We confess that we set our minds towards things of death, and not on the life that is revealed in Christ. In our fear and trembling, we quickly turn from You towards ourselves. Our fear leads us to doubt Your promise, harm our neighbor, and neglect Your creation. Resurrect us Oh God, and bring about Your new life in ourselves, in our community, and our world. Through the mercy of Your beloved Son, heal us from our sin, and give us the new breath of Your Spirit. Amen.

P: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ proclaims, “Do not be afraid!” Know that you are washed anew in his rising, and your sins are forgiven. Be at peace, and live in the everlasting love of God. Amen!

C: Amen

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Christ Is Risen

Let no one caught in sin remain Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross and run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us. Freely You’ve bled for us

Chorus:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead, we are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake, come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin You bowed to none but Heaven’s will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer’s crown,
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign. Forever let Your church pro-claim

(Chorus)

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
The glory of God has defeated the night!
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light.
Our God is not dead. He is alive! He is alive!

(Chorus)

Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 25:6-9

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Gospel Reading – Mark 16:1–8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – I Know that My Redeemer Lives (vs 1,2, 7, 8)

Verse 1:
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head.

Verse 2:
He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

Verse 7:
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

Verse 8:
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives;
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Sermon – “Rolling Away Stones”

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Song: Forever

Verse 1:

The moon and stars they wept. The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen.
His body on the cross. His blood poured out for us.
The weight of every curse upon Him

Verse 2:
One final breath He gave, As Heaven looked away
The Son of God was laid in darkness.
A battle in the grave. The war on death was waged.
The power of hell forever broken

Pre-Chorus:
The ground began to shake. The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting. Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated

Chorus:
Forever, He is glorified. Forever, He is lifted high
Forever, He is risen. He is alive; He is alive!

(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)

Bridge:
We sing hallelujah. We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah. The Lamb has overcome

(Repeat 2x)
(Chorus 2x)

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, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen

Benediction

Closing Song: O Praise the Name (Anástasis)

Verse 1:
I cast my mind to Calvary Where Jesus bled and died for me
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet.
My Savior on that cursed tree

Verse 2:
His body bound and drenched in tears.
They laid Him down in Joseph’s tomb
The entrance sealed by heavy stone. Messiah still and all alone

Chorus:
O praise the Name of the Lord our God.
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days, we will sing Your praise.
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God

Verse 3:
Then on the third, at break of dawn
The Son of heaven rose again
O trampled death, where is your sting.
The angels roar for Christ the King

Chorus:
O praise the Name of the Lord our God.
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days, we will sing Your praise.
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God

Verse 4:
He shall return in robes of white.
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints,
My gaze transfixed on Jesus’ face

(Chorus 2x)

Oh Lord, oh Lord our God

Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 11, Noon – Fellowship and Games
Song and Dance

Sunday, April 11, 3pm – Youth Beach Trip
Sand Key Beach

April 25, After the Service – Voter Meeting
Song and Dance

Good Friday Worship Service for April 2, 2021 at 7 PM

About the Service

Tenebrae

Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness.” The Officium Tenebrae, the Service of Darkness, is a devotional and meditative service held on Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Service of Darkness is not a funeral service for Jesus but a time for repentance and reflection on his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. The darkness in the church symbolizes the miraculous Tenebrae, the darkness which surrounded the cross and darkened the earth from noon until three o’clock on the day Jesus died.

Seven Candles

There are seven candles and the Christ candle in the front of the church. Throughout the service the candles are extinguished and the lights are dimmed representing the extinguishing of the life of Jesus. The Christ candle is not extinguished but it is removed from the chancel. Just as Christ’s body was hidden in the grave until the third day so also is the Christ candle removed from sight for a short time. We then hear the loud sound of the Bible closing representing the stone being set in place in front of the tomb. The Christ candle is returned to its place at the end of the service foreshadowing Christ’s return from death to life.

Silence

In keeping with the solemnity of the day, there is no pre-service or post-service music. The service begins in silence and ends in silence. Worshipers are invited to remain after the service for as long as they wish for prayer and meditation. All are asked to leave the sanctuary, the courtyard and the parking lot in silence. The stillness and darkness of tonight are intended to contrast with the bright and glorious celebration of Easter morning

Preservice: Silence for Meditation

Invocation

Responsive Prayer

P: Come let us worship the Lord,
C: Who was obedient to death, even death on a cross.

P: God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
C: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

P: Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
C: As a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Confession and Forgiveness (Hebrews 4:14-16)

P: Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,

C: let us hold fast our confession.

P: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

C: but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

P: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,

C: that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Time of Silent Reflection and Confession)

P: Let us confess our sins before the Lord.

C: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. …Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. Here the promise of our merciful God in 1 John chapter 1. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God’s promises are always true. Your sins are forgiven.

C: Amen

First Reading: John 18:1-11

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

The First Candle is Extinguished

Music: Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs 1 and 2)

“Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye that feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; Watch with Him one bitter hour
Turn not from His griefs away; Learn from Him to watch and pray.
“See Him at the judgment-hall, Beaten, bound, reviled, arraign’d
See Him meekly bearing all! Love to man His soul sustain’d!
Shun not suffering, shame or loss; Learn of Christ to bear the cross.

Second Reading: John 18:12-27

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

The Second Candle is Extinguished

Music What Wondrous Love is This (vs 1 and 2)
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this. That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down. Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

Third Reading: John 18:28-40

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

The Third Candle is Extinguished

Music Old Rugged Cross (vs 1 and 3)

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus

Fourth Reading: John 19:1-16a

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Fourth Candle is Extinguished

Music When I Survey (vs 1 and 3)

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See from his head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Fifth Reading: John 19:16b-27

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Fifth Candle is Extinguished

Music Were You There (vs 1 and 2)

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?

Sixth Reading: John 19:28-30

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Sixth Candle is Extinguished

Music (Were You There – vs 3)

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?

Seventh Reading: John 19:31-42

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

The Seventh Candle is Extinguished

The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken softly by the congregation)

The Christ Candle is Removed and Extinguished

THE CLOSING OF THE BIBLE AND THE “STREPITUS” (a loud noise symbolizing the closing of our Savior’s tomb and the earthquake which occurred when Jesus died.)

The Christ Candle is Returned (Unlit)

The Service Ends and the People Exit in Silence

Offering

If you wish to give, the offering plate is in the back of the sanctuary

Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 4, 11am – Easter Sunday Service
Song and Dance & Online
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Sunday, April 11, Noon – Fellowship and Games
Song and Dance

Sunday, April 11, 3pm – Youth Beach Trip
Sand Key Beach