Leon H. Johnston

The aim of this reflective service is to prepare us for Easter Sunday by walking with Jesus to the cross using Matthew’s gospel account. The basic pattern for this service is Scripture readings followed by songs. If possible, the cross should be stationed in a central place in the sanctuary and illuminated. Communion will be served mid-service, following Matthew’s narrative. Each Scripture passage may be read by a different person. Asterisks indicate the congregation should stand in body or in spirit.GatheringGathering Song: “This Is Amazing Grace” Wickham et al.Words of WelcomeCall to Worship and Rest: Matthew 11:28–30*God’s Greeting: Matthew 5:4  *Prayer of Invocation for Good Friday Holy God, on this most holy of days we approach your throne, grateful for all your blessings, especially the gift of your Son, who suffered so we may live. May our worship, though imperfect,       be an expression of our gratitude.       To you belongs all glory and honor.       Amen. —Joyce Borger, Reformed Worship, © 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission. Alternative: Prayer M.1.4.2 from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2013 Faith Alive Christian Resources*Song of Preparation & Profession of Faith: “In Christ Alone” Townend & GettyPreparation for Passion[Explain here how this Lessons and Hymns service will proceed.]Reading 1: Matthew 16:21–28Song: [Choose one:]“The Old Rugged Cross” Bennard“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Watts“What Grace Is This” Gauger Reading 2: Matthew 26:1–16Song: “What a Beautiful Name” Fielding and LigertwoodThe Upper RoomReading 3 (Institution for Communion): Matthew 26:17–30CommunionGarden and JudgementReading 4: Matthew 26:36–56Song: “At the Cross” Tomlin et al.Reading 5: Matthew 26:57–75Song: “Son of Suffering” Redman et al.Reading 6: Matthew 27:1–26Song: “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” KellyPrayer of Confession and LamentForgive us, Lord. For many of us this story is so familiar that we fail to grasp the horror of the scene: people bending to the will of the powerful; the release of a known murderer       in place of an innocent man, your Son;and the sound of the crowds shouting, “Crucify him!”Not only do we fail to see the horror of this scene,but we fail to recognize how this story plays out in our own lives. How often we are influenced by others to do and say things we know are wrong! How often we choose the side of the bully rather than the victim!How often we ourselves deny you and through our own sin       become complicit with the crowd, joining in their cry: “Crucify him!” Forgive us, Lord. May your Holy Spirit work in each of us       so that we may grasp that it is for us you endured the cross,       that though you could have chosen to save yourself,       you chose instead to save each one of us. Open our ears and hearts so we may hear the gospel message anew. Amen. —Joyce Borger, Reformed Worship, © 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.Crucifixion and DeathReading 7: Matthew 27:27–44Song: “Jesus Paid It All” Hall & GrapeReading 8: Matthew 27:45–61Song: “Oh, to See the Dawn” Getty and TownendConcluding Remarks and Prayer*Call to Discipleship and Blessing Self-giving God, we have heard the story proclaimed today and know that your Son died so we may live. May the enormity of this gift penetrate our soul. Inspire us to share the good news of your love with all people. Amen. As we leave this place, go with God’s blessing. This is what God says to each of you today:I, God the Father,       have chosen you and love you.       Go share my love. I, God the Son,      died for you and will go with you.       Go share the good news with courage. I, God the Holy Spirit,       will comfort you and grant you hope.       Go comfort the sorrowing, and be a people of hope. —Joyce Borger, Reformed Worship © 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike. Used by permission.Alternative: Prayer M.9.1.6 from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2013 Faith Alive Christian Resources*Final Song: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” TownendPlease leave quietly to wait and grieve with hope. 

Introduction This short sermon series was originally conducted at Wolf Creek Community Church and then preached at a weekend family camp. For many of us, summer is a time to slow down, and when it comes to the local church, summer is often a time for certain ministries to take a break, allowing more time for rest and reflection. For me, summer is a great time for stories—reading books and hearing people’s stories as we connect with family and friends on vacation. This got me thinking about Jesus’ story in the gospels and how it intersects with our own stories. In this series I invite you to reflect on your story and even more on God’s story as we look to Jesus. You might be surprised where your story intersects with his. Series Objectives The objectives of this summer series are to help us reflect on the present state of our hearts; to help us discern where we need help and healing in our lives and to pray for healing; and to review Jesus’s call to discipleship and (re)commit our lives to following Jesus. Week One Scripture Mark 4:1–20 Sermon “Four Soils, Four Hearts” Sermon Notes This parable is about the power of God’s Word to penetrate our hearts. At the same time, it is a parable that invites us to reflect on the state of our hearts. As we examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word, where do we see ourselves? Perhaps we have experienced each soil at some point in our lives. However, as I reflect on this parable in light of our Western culture, I see a lot of “thorns”—“the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word” (v. 19). We live in a very distracted age. How can we help our people to stop and focus long enough to receive the Word? Happily, as we do that, the soil of our hearts will become soft and fertile, and we will begin to see God’s Word grow in our hearts. Thanks be to God! Questions for Reflection What “soil” best describes you? How would you describe your walk with God right now? Service Suggestion A children’s lesson in which this parable is told with samples of each kind of soil. Song Suggestions Song for Illumination: “Ancient Words” DeShazo, LUYH 762 Song of Response: “When We Walk with the Lord” Sammis, LUYH 327, SSS 636, PsH 548 Blessing: “My Friends, May You Grow in Grace” Meaney and Diamond, LUYH 938, SSS 704 Week Two Scripture Mark 6:45–56; 10:46–52 Sermon “Jesus, Our Helper and Healer” Sermon Notes In this sermon I try to cover a lot of ground. Feel free to treat the two passages separately, making this a four-part series. But I think Jesus as helper and Jesus as healer go together quite well. In the story from Mark 6, the disciples are straining at the oars, laboring to cross the lake, fighting against the wind. Can you picture it? Sometimes we can relate to the disciples in this regard. We are pushing hard at home, work, or in ministry—so hard that we grow weary and we wonder if we are going to make it. But just when we think we can’t row any more, Jesus shows up to help us, saying, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” And we are strengthened for another day of life and ministry. Similarly, in Mark 10, we see blind Bartimaeus begging at the side of the road. Perhaps you also feel blind or disabled in some way. Maybe you can’t see the way forward, or you don’t know which way to go in terms of a decision you are facing. Bartimaeus was humble enough to ask for help. When he heard that Jesus was coming, he sensed an opportunity. And happily, Jesus heard his call for help and listened. Whatever our trouble, we are encouraged to call out for help and trust that Jesus will have mercy on us. Question for Reflection Where do you need Jesus’ help and/or healing? Service Suggestion Invite people to come forward and receive prayers for healing. See “A Prayer for Healing in Relationships.” Haupt, LUYH 304 Song Suggestions “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” Becker and Getty, LUYH 660, SSS 345 “Healer of Our Every Ill” Haugen, LUYH 303, GtG 795, SSS 339 “Mighty to Save” Morgan and Fielding, LUYH 611 Week Three Scripture Mark 8:27–9:1 Sermon “Following Jesus” Sermon Notes After softening the soil of our hearts through the receiving of God’s Word, and after receiving God’s healing and help, we have become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. As the Messiah, Jesus has the right and privilege to call us to follow him, which he does in this passage. But as we learn in this story, the way of discipleship is difficult. In fact, it will lead to suffering and even death. And that is the point: death to self—not necessarily physical death (although some have been martyred for the faith), but certainly spiritual death. Jesus calls us to come and die to ourselves so that we can experience a new life in him. This means saying no to our sinful desires and to living to please ourselves, and saying yes to living for Jesus. As we take up our crosses and follow him, we will experience eternal life now and later. Thanks be to God! Questions for Reflection What are you looking forward to or dreading in the near or distant future? Will you follow Jesus? What does that look like in your daily life? If it’s close to the start of the school year, encourage students to reflect specifically on how they can be Christ’s disciples at school. Service Suggestion End the sermon series with a “coming forward” style of communion—a practical application of Jesus’ call to discipleship. Song Suggestions “Will You Come and Follow Me” Bell, LUYH 742, GtG 726, SSS 598 “Just as I Am, Without One Plea” Elliott, LUYH 627, GtG 442, SSS 500 “Here I Am, Lord” Schutte, LUYH 869, GtG 69, SSS 608

A Psalm Prayer and Blessing for Children Note: Words in bold type indicate congregational response. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Ps. 8:1b-2)

This service of Scripture, song, and Supper is intended for use on Good Friday. It is designed to help people walk with Jesus to the cross during his Passion as they hear various passages of Scripture from Luke’s gospel, ideally read by people of various ages. Sections marked TWS are from The Worship Sourcebook, available at www.FaithAliveResources.org. Call to Worship

Lately I’ve been struck by the frantic pace of life. Some folks are complaining about being overloaded; most simply look tired. Meanwhile, I feel increasingly compelled to help people rest in God’s presence.