Elly Boersma Sarkany

This is part of the worship series, "Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”IntroductionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday GOOD FRIDAYOn Good Friday, we look at the depth of injustice: the Lord of heaven and earth betrayed, mistreated, condemned, and unjustly judged. That which was the epitome of good and holy was treated as refuse. We journey through the whole passion narrative with readings from The Message, and the sermon asked us to consider the ways we might be like Pilate, washing our hands and turning a blind eye toward the injustice we witness.The song “How Long, O Lord, How Long” Steumpfle, (a setting we used throughout the series) became a central theme in a prayer of lament in this service.   GatheringPreludeWelcomeCall to WorshipToday we remember Jesus was crucified.He was pierced for our transgressions.He suffered and died for our iniquities.We remember the sacrifice of our Lord with gratitudebecause his death gives us life and brings redemption to the world.Let us worship our Savior.—Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS M.1.2.2).God Greets UsSong“Meekness and Majesty” Kendrick The PassoverReading Matthew 26:20–25 (MSG)Song “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” TownendGethsemaneReading Matthew 26:31–46 (MSG)Song“Go to Dark Gethsemane” (st. 1–2) MontgomeryBetrayalReading Matthew 26:47–56 (MSG)Song “What Wondrous Love Is This” (st. 1–3) AnonymousFalse ChargesReading Matthew 26:57–68 (MSG)Song “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” HeermannDenial in the CourtyardReading Matthew 26:69–75 (MSG)Song “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Watts We Hear God’s WordPrayer for IlluminationScriptureMatthew 27:11–26Message“The Greatest Injustice of All”We Give Our Offerings of Thanks Prayer of LamentChrist identified completely with us in suffering, even unto death. He is our Savior-Intercessor who sympathizes with our weakness. What better time than Good Friday to practice the spiritual discipline of lament, to express solidarity with those who are suffering, including Jesus himself? On Good Friday, we lament with Jesus.Song “How Long, O Lord, How Long” Steumpfle[Congregation sings st. 1, 2]We pray for the hungry around the world,for all those who don’t know where their next meal will come from,for those who long to nourish their children with good things,and for those whose crops have failed yet again.We pray for those in our own community struggling with food insecurity.Grant wisdom and guidance to those who minister among the hungry.[Congregation sings st. 3]We pray for those experiencing homelessness in our community,and for those facing the devastating effect of rising housing costs.We pray for organizations and individuals who minister among them.[Congregation sings st. 5]We pray for victims of prejudice,for those facing oppression because of gender, race, or class.Help us to see you, Lord, in the people we encounterand to love others as you love us.[Congregation sings st. 7, 8] The CrucifixionReading Matthew 27:27–54 (MSG)Song “Were You There” African American spiritual The TombReading Matthew 27:57–66 (MSG)God’s Parting BlessingSong “Oh, to See the Dawn” Getty and TownendDepart in silence.Revised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—Liturgy of the PassionYear A, B, C: Holy Week—Holy Saturday

This is part of the worship series, "Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”IntroductionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday  WEEK THREE: SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY ABUSEThis week was among the most challenging and controversial of the whole series. Our focus was hospitality and how we treat those with different sexual orientations and gender identities. Regardless of where people stand on issues of gender and sexuality, the call to love one another is clear. It is a great injustice when the world reduces people to nothing more than their gender or sexual identity. Instead, we look to our true and primary identity as beloved children of God. GatheringWelcomeCall to Worship“See How Good It Is (Psalm 133)” KimbroughGod Greets UsGod’s People Greet Each OtherSongs“O Praise the Name (Anástasis)” Hastings et al.“God So Loved” Sampson and CrockerChildren are dismissed for Children’s Worship. Word and TablePrayer for IlluminationScripture Matthew 9:9–13Message “Christ Eats with Outcasts”Song of Response“Gather Us In” HaugenInvitation to the TableWorship brings us together in community, and as we interact and connect with one another, we encounter God. The Lord’s table is a place of fellowship with God among God’s people across all kinds of differences. Christ exemplified that truth in his actions, as in Matthew 9, our text for today, but also in his teachings, especially the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14. In the book A Just Passion, Sandra Maria Van Opstal reflects on that parable:Luke 14 . . . illustrates a master’s invitation to a great banquet feast. The master’s invitation list reveals no favoritism at the table. All are invited to the banquet: the social elite as well as those from the highways and byways. The tension mounts: when people from different ethnic and socioeconomic standings gather, the result is awkward dinner conversations. And let’s face it, we tend to avoid parties where we expect awkwardness.But isn’t being at the Lord’s Table in the church like being at an awkward party? Imagine a dinner where random strangers from all walks of life—poor, rich, old, young—are invited. There they are, staring at one another across the table and wondering what they can possibly say and why the other is dressed like that. This is the church! . . . We come together at God’s invitation. The table is an intimate and unique place of communion. . . . It would be easy if we were all clones, but God in his wisdom did not create us that way (Barton et al., A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journey, 2022, pp. 51–52).Come to this table:you who have much faith,and you who would like to have more;you who have been to this sacrament often,and you who have not been for a long time;you who have tried to follow Jesus,and you who have failed.Come. It is Christ who invites us to meet him here.—Iona Abbey Worship Book, p. 53 © 2001, Wild Goose Publications, www.ionabooks.com. Reproduced with permission of the Licensor through PLSclear.Celebration of the Lord’s Supper[Use the liturgy your church is familiar with.]Communion Songs“Come As You Are” Glover et al.“How Deep the Father’s Love” TownendPrayerMost gracious God,we are in awe of your great gifts to us,experienced here at this table.You have given your Son that we might live,you have fed our spirits with bread and wine,you have made us one body with all your children.We are renewed todayin our commitment to loving service.We leave here to build your kingdom in this world,and we ask that your love will shape our love,that we may reach to othersas Jesus Christ has reached to us.Hear us, accept our thanks,and continue to walk with us.In the name of him who gave himself for us.—Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS 8.5.2.11).[Continue with the Prayers of the People.]We Give Our Offerings   Sending Call to DiscipleshipPeople of God, what do you believe?We believe that Christ’s work of reconciliationis made manifest in the church as the community of believerswho have been reconciled with God and with one another.We believe that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation for the church of Jesus Christ; that through the working of God’s Spirit it is a binding force, yet simultaneously a reality which must be earnestly pursued and sought: one which the people of God must continually be built up to attain.We believe that this unity must become visible so that the world may believethat separation, enmity and hatred between people and groups is sin. . . .Anything which threatens this unity may have no place in the churchand must be resisted. . . .We believe that God has entrusted the church with the message of reconciliationin and through Jesus Christ,that the church is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,that the church is called blessed because it is a peacemaker,that the church is witness both by word and by deedto the new heaven and the new earth in which righteousness dwells. . . .We believe that the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, that the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.—from The Confession of Belhar, 3, Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA). Translated by the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA).Lord God, we are your church.Lead us to be the agents of unity and justice.Let your kingdom come to rule in us and in your world.God’s Parting BlessingSong: “Christ Be All Around Me” Mooring et al.Postlude

This is part of the worship series, "Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”IntroductionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday  WEEK TWO: MISUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTWe centered this service around creation care, the climate crisis, and our call to fill the earth and subdue it. We opened the service with our delight in the beauty of creation, joining the song of all creation praising the Creator. We lamented how we often neglect our task of caring for the earth as all creation groans in eager expectation for Christ’s return. Then we turned to trust and hope that God will redeem this world and make all things new. GatheringWelcomeCall to WorshipThe heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of his hands.All creation joins in praising:great sea creatures and all ocean depths,lightning and hail, snow and clouds,stormy winds that do his bidding,mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all rulers on earth,young men and women, old men and children.Let them praise the name of the Lord,for his name alone is exalted;his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.—adapted from Psalm 19:1 and Psalm 148:7–12 NIVGod Greets UsGod’s People Greet Each OtherSongs How magnificent it is for us to reflect onhow God’s Word spoke creation into being,how God’s Spirit breathed life into every living creature.We join our voices in concert with the symphony of praise sung by trees and fields on earth, and saints and angels in heaven. “Rejoice in All Your Works” Kimbrough“Creation Sings the Father’s Song” Getty and Townend RenewalCall to ConfessionMade in God’s imageto live in loving communion with our Maker,we are appointed earthkeepers and caretakersto tend the earth, enjoy it,and love our neighbors.God uses our skillsfor the unfolding and well-being of his worldso that creation and all who live in it may flourish.—Our World Belongs to God, st. 10 © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids, Michigan, www.crcna.org. Reprinted with permission.Yet often we neglect our task.Recalling our task leads us to confess our sinand to yearn for God’s forgiveness.Prayer of Confession and Song “This is My Father’s World (Beauty Birthed from Strife)” Babcock,  additional verse Tai and Dost[Congregation sings stanza 1:]This is my Father’s world,and to my listening earsall nature sings, and round me ringsthe music of the spheres.This is my Father’s world;I rest me in the thoughtof rocks and trees, of skies and seas;his hand the wonders wrought.—Babcock, P.D.[Spoken prayer of confession:]Creator God, we confess that all too oftenwe have ignored and denied your lordship of the land entrusted to usby assuming the right to do with it as we please,by taking more from it than we have returned to it,by taking for granted its productivity,by denying justice to many who have labored on the land,by wanting food for less than it costs to produce.We have indulged our appetites with little consideration for others.We have been more interested in our neighbor’s land than in our neighbor.We have harbored bitterness and resentmentsbecause of economic problems.We are not reconciled to some who have hurt us,even members of your body.—from “Prayers for the Earth,” by Betty Voskuil, Reformed Worship 10:24 © 1988, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.[Congregation sings stanza by Tai and Drost:]This is our Savior’s world,though justice has not come. We wait in angst and groan in paintill Jesus’ kingdom come. God will redeem this world!From the ashes shall come life. We will believe though we cannot see the beauty birthed from strife.—Julie Tai and Eben Drost  © 2019, Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial-ShareAlike.[Prayer continues:]Lord of the church, have mercy on us.Grant us peace with you and with each other in Christ.—from “Prayers for the Earth,” by Betty Voskuil, Reformed Worship 10:24 © 1988, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.[Congregation sings stanza 3:]This is my Father’s world;oh, let me not forgetthat, though the wrong seems oft so strong,God is the Ruler yet.This is my Father’s world;why should my heart be sad?The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!God reigns; let earth be glad.—Babcock, P.D.[Prayer continues:]Lord of all creation,you have given us this day of beauty,full of your handiwork. Open our eyes wideto see your Spirit’s artistry in all that happens. Open our heartsto the surprising ways of your creative goodness. Then grant us grace to reflect your glory, through the transforming power of Christ, your Word, who beckons us into life abundant. Amen.—from “Praising God the Maker,” by Christine Jerrett, © 2026 ReformedWorship.org. Used by permission.   Assurance of PardonIn a moment we are going to sing together “Is He Worthy?” The chorus references the moment in Revelation 5 when the prophet asks, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” He looks around along with all the hosts of heaven, and when no one is found who is worthy, he weeps bitterly.But then one of the elders says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able.” And then the Lamb, looking as if it has been slain, appears at the center of the throne and takes the scroll. At once all the heavenly hosts sing praises: “You are worthy!”When facing injustice, we can feel despair. But though we see the brokenness in our lives and the world around us and we hear creation groaning, we know that there is still one who is worthy. Christ is worthy, and through Christ we are assured of redemption. Redemption from our sin and all the injustice and brokenness of this world. One day all will be redeemed, and creation will groan no more.Song: “Is He Worthy?” Peterson and ShiveChildren are dismissed for Children’s Worship. WordPrayer for IlluminationScripture Psalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34Message “Seeking Justice for Creation”Song of Response“For the Beauty of the Earth” PierpontPrayer of the PeopleWe Give Our Offerings of Thanks Sending Call to DiscipleshipTeach us again to live in sync with your creation.May your Spirit move in the hearts of leaders,giving courage in the face of the climate crisis.May your Spirit move in the voices of youthwho call on us to consider future generations.May your Spirit empower the poor with resilienceto weather storms, drought, and floods.May your Spirit lift the conscience of the church to do what is right.May our actions bear witness that our world belongs to God.—from “Prayer for the Restoration of Creation,” Climate Witness Project © 2016, CRCNA, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Reprinted by permission.God’s Parting BlessingSong“Lord, Most High” Harris and SadlerPostludeWEEK TWO: Additional Song Ideas“Hosanna! (Will You Rise?)” Wardell et al.“All Creatures Lament” Wardell et al. 

This is part of the worship series, "Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”IntroductionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday  WEEK ONE: WAR“War,” Prussian general Carl Von Clausewitz said, “is an act of violence intended to compel our opponents to fulfill our will” (On War, Book 1, Ch. 1, 1832). War is always violent and always for a purpose. Approaches to war fall somewhere on a spectrum between militarism and pacifism. Understanding war as a Christian can be confusing because biblical texts can be used to support both ends of the spectrum. However, it is clear that violence, destruction, and death are not part of God’s plan for a flourishing humanity; in fact, it is human depravity that causes war. It’s easy to say that political leaders are the reason for wars, but we all are complicit in the evil and violence we see in the world. Our own sins of injustice or inaction shape and contribute to the injustice and wars in our communities. God is not a god of war. In Genesis we see that God created a perfect world, but human sin brought evil and death into it. We can be confident that a time is coming where there will be no more war, sin, or evil because all the way back in Genesis, God promised a Savior. Jesus’ death defeated the curse of sin and Satan, and we eagerly anticipate the promised day when the world will be without war.[Note: This service considers a Reformed perspective on war, but alternatively a congregation might look at the refugee crisis and the effects of war on vulnerable populations.]GatheringWelcomeCall to WorshipGod is our refuge and strength,   a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,   though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam,   though the mountains tremble with its tumult. SelahThe Lord of hosts is with us;   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah—Psalm 46:1–3, 7 NRSVUESong “Hear Our Praises” MorganGod Greets UsGod’s People Greet Each OtherSongs“There Is a Redeemer” Green“Be unto Your Name” Deshazo and Sadler Renewal Children’s MessageNote: During the weeks leading up to Lent, the children used charcoal to create cross art that we then framed and displayed in the sanctuary during the season as a constant reminder of our frailty and brokenness and of God’s great love for us.[Invite kids forward to discuss their charcoal cross art now on display, then talk to the kids about ashes.]Ash Wednesday was this past week, marking the start of the season of Lent, which is what we call the season in the church leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This can be a hard season. We talk a lot about the suffering and death of Jesus and about suffering and death in the world. God calls us in the season of Lent to turn from the things that keep us apart from God and to turn toward the things that bring us closer to God. Thank you for helping us worship by sharing the crosses you made. [Ask one or two children to talk about their pictures.] The ashes remind us that eventually we will all die because we disobeyed God. The cross reminds us of our hope in Christ: that Jesus has already defeated death. The beauty of the flowers, trees, and sunshine in your pictures reminds us that God will make everything new and beautiful in its time. Prayer of ConfessionDear Jesus,We are sorry for not always doing what is right and good.We turn away from you and go our own way.Forgive us, Lord, when we do bad things or think unkind thoughts.Forgive us when we don’t help someone in need.Help us to live justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you, our God.Amen.Assurance of PardonGod promises us that God will make everything beautiful in its time.The book of Isaiah describes a beautiful picture of the joy creation will have when God makes all things new:The desert and the dry ground will be glad.The dry places will be full of joy.Flowers will grow there.Like the first crocus in the spring,the desert will bloom with flowers.It will be very glad and shout for joy. . . .Everyone will see the glory of the Lord.They will see the beauty of our God.—Isaiah 35:1–3 NIRVSong“Cornerstone” Mote et al.Children are dismissed for Children’s Worship.WordPrayer for IlluminationScriptureDeuteronomy 20:1–4; Luke 6:27–31Message“A Christian Understanding of War”Song of Response“How Long, O Lord, How Long” (st. 1, 6–8) SteumpflePrayers of the PeopleWe Give Our Offerings of ThanksSending Call to DiscipleshipHe makes wars cease to the end of the earth;   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;   he burns the shields with fire.“Be still, and know that I am God!   I am exalted among the nations;   I am exalted in the earth.”The Lord of hosts is with us;   the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah—Psalm 46:9–11 NRSVUEThe God who is always with us sends us out into the worldto do justice, to love mercy,and to walk humbly with the Lord God Almighty.God’s Parting BlessingSong “Living Hope” Johnson and WickhamPostludeWeek One: Alternative Song IdeasA Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Luther“Instrument of Peace” St. Francis of Assisi and Porter’s Gate“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Faber“O God of Love, O King of Peace” Baker“O God of Every Nation” Reid“O God of Love, Forever Blest” Watts

This is part of the worship series, "Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”IntroductionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3  | Lent 4 |  Lent 5Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday  IntroductionThis Lenten worship series takes a deep dive into various injustices in our world and in our local community. It is a hard series with a lot of heavy topics that push us to consider our complicity in perpetuating injustice, but it also encourages us to look with hope not only to what Jesus has already done for our salvation, but also to how he will renew the world at his return.Our desire throughout the series was for our congregation to better understand issues of injustice so that we are moved not only toward confession, but also toward the transformation of hearts and minds that leads us to act. We were challenged to hold lament and hope together, and both of those themes should emerge as you peruse this series. “A season dedicated to repentance and renewal should not lead us to despair,” Esau McCaulley reminds us; “it should cause us to praise God for his grace” (Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal, 2022, p. 3). Music ChoicesConsider also including global music and voices of marginalized people groups in your worship planning and leadership. The song “How Long, O Lord, How Long,” Stuempfle sung throughout the series, poignantly addresses a number of justice issues. We also incorporated it into a prayer in our Good Friday service.Worship Visuals“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” —Mother TeresaFor our visual display, we employed the motif of a picture frame, suggested in Jill Benson’s article “Seeking Justice Inch by Inch: Practical Ways to Honor the Image of God in Everyone . Benson references Anne Lamott’s advice to writers for avoiding overwhelm: Focus on what might be seen through a one-inch picture frame. Sometimes when we think about injustice, we can feel overburdened by the weight of it all and at a loss in knowing where to start pursuing justice in our own lives. Imagine instead holding up a one-inch frame and letting the image within those boundaries be your starting point. Seeking justice is taking small steps toward a more just world. We painted several picture frames black and hung them on the wall behind the stage. We also put the children’s cross art in smaller black frames and hung them in and around the larger frames.Series OutlineLent 1 WarDeuteronomy 20:1–4; Luke 6:27–31Lent 2 Misuse of the EnvironmentPsalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34Lent 3 Sexual Orientation and Gender IdentityMatthew 9:9–13Lent 4 Domestic Violence & MisogynyMark 5:25–34Lent 5 RacismEphesians 2:11–22Palm/Passion Sunday PovertyDeuteronomy 15:1–11; Matthew 26:6–13Good Friday The Greatest InjusticeSelections from Matthew 26–27Easter Sunday True JusticeMatthew 28:1–8; Romans 8:1–6Revised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—Liturgy of the PassionYear A, B, C: Holy Week—Holy SaturdayYear A: Easter—Easter VigilYear A: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord