Nicole Ensing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter | Pentecost Easter SundayGathering Song “My Redeemer Lives” MorganCall to Worship “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley“Low in the Grave He Lay” Lowry“Resurrection Hymn” Getty and TownendConfession and Assurance: Pastoral Prayer for Easter When everything was darkand it seemed that the sun would never shine again,your love broke through.Your love was too strong,too wide,too deepfor death to hold.The sparks cast by your lovedance and spreadand burst forthwith resurrection light.Gracious God,we praise you for the light of new lifemade possible through Jesus.We praise you for the light of new lifethat shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.We praise you for the light of new lifethat continues to shine in our hearts today.We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,will live in us each day;and that we will be bearers of that lightinto the lives of others. Amen.—© The Revd Michaela Youngson, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. Used by permission.Song “This Is Amazing Grace” Riddle, Farro, and WickhamMessage Mark 16:1–8, “The Words of Faith, Love, and Hope”Response through Song and Offerings“In Christ Alone” Getty and TownendProfession of FaithPrayer of the PeopleCommunion “You Are My King” Foote“Praise the King” Voss, Smith, Bryce, and FarrenClosing Song “Mighty to Save” Fielding and MorganBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter | Pentecost  Good FridayThe dramatic reading that is used throughout the service is adapted from a script written by John Flokstra titled "I Was There." John Flokstra’s entire script is available here in the additional resources section at the bottom of the page. Churches are given permission to reprint or reproduce this drama for noncommercial use in worship services only. John can be contacted at john@johnflokstra.com.ParticipantsJesusMary MagdaleneAdulterous womanMarthaMartha’s MaryPeterPhariseeSimonStaging/ScenesCrossTable and stoolGardenBackdrop that hides actors and allows them to make scene changes from the stageClear stage, put worship team on sideSpotlight on “The Way of the Cross” bannerPropsJesus—white journal, plus a sashMary Magdalene—red journal, perfume bottleAdulterous Woman—red journal, red braceletMartha—journal, towels and basketMartha’s Mary—journalPeter/Pharisee—journal, swordServiceOpening of WorshipGathering Song “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” BaylyCall to Worship: A Story of Love “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” —John 3:16gather roundI have a story to tellof one who reached inside himselfand took a handful of lovelike a pile of stardustand said: this is for youit is all you needit is all you will ever needthere is enough hereto change the whole worldtake itmany laughed at himmocked himand ignored the invitationbut some dared to take itand those who didnoticed something about this lovethey found they could do what the gift-giver could dothey could stand with the lostwelcome the travelereat with the hungrythey found themselves doing what the man first did to themgive something of themselves to othersthey became like the manoffering themselvesand as they offered themselvesothers took the invitationand many still doand many still trustit is enough to change the whole world—Roddy Hamilton, New Kilpatrick Parish Church of Scotland, nkchurch.org.uk. Used by permission.Offering “Your Great Name” Nordhoff and NealeScripture Reading Where can I go, where can I run, where can I be that I am not within your love?If I sail on the wings of the wind or make my bed in hell, still there you find me.If I change my appearance like trees through the seasons, still you see my roots.No matter how dark I let my heart become,no matter what doubts and questions I wrestle with in the nightStill there you are—still loving me.I beat at the air with my fists; I curse the rain as it falls on my tear-clinched eyes.Still there you are—still loving me.And even when I don’t know how, who, or why . . .Still . . . there . . . you are . . .Still . . . loving . . . even me. —Paraphrase of Psalm 139:7–12 by Rev. Nathan DeckerDramatic Reading: “I Was There,” by John Flokstra[Lights: ALL lights out (sanctuary stays OFF for the rest of the service, small spot on cross background ON).]SCENE 1: Jesus[Projection: JesusMusic transition as Jesus walks out.Lights: Left front ON Right Spot ON]Jesus: I was there. Before the world was created, the earth formed.I was there. When Adam first breathed in the cool morning mist of Eden.And I was there when you fell and knew good and evil and began to die.I was there.I was there when my Father’s plan to save you was born.And I laid down my glory, I laid down my life, for you.I was there for you.I have known you before you were born and I was there when you were.I was there when you walked your first step and blew out your first candle.   When you laughed in the sun in your backyard.   When you felt the wind in your face sledding down those hills.   When you cried when you thought you were all alone...all of those times.I never left you.I never will.Nothing, nothing can separate you from me.[Lights: Left front OFF Right Spot OFF. Jesus moves behind stage as music begins.]“Here I Am to Worship” Hughes[Instrumental tag until Mary Magdalene and Jesus in place] SCENE 6: Mary Magdelene[Projection: Mary Magdalene, Jesus. Music transition as Mary Magdalene walks out, kneels at front, Jesus sits at table. Lights: Center Spot ON Center Front ON]Mary Magdelene:I don’t know why I went there.I’ve done too much. Pretty bad stuff.It was too much to forgive.But when I heard that Jesus would be there, at Simon’s house…He was there at the head of the table. Rich men around him, many of them men I’ve known. I wanted to leave.I don’t remember how I got in but I went right to him. And I wanted to say something but I couldn’t. I just started crying, like a crybaby. At his feet.They were talking about me, I knew it, whispering about me, but what did they expect? Just days before He cast evil out of me, a darkness, a heaviness that weighed me like a thousand millstones.And when he did, when he took that away, after that I was lighter. The sky was bluer, I just stayed in my room alone, on my bed, laughing and crying.Alone but so warm, so free.I don’t know why I went.I could feel their eyes, their looks.I washed his feet, poured oil…Then he was talking to Simon, whose house... but he was looking at me.Jesus: Do you see this woman? I came to your home and you provided no water for my feet but this woman rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing to freshen up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. She was forgiven many many sins and so she is very grateful.Mary Magdalene:Then he looked right at me and said,Jesus:I forgive your sins.Mary Magdalene:The house didn’t like that, saying, who does he think he is? But he ignored them and kept looking at me. His eyes... I was. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. I didn’t leave. I know why I came. Because He was there.[Lights: Center spot OFF Center Front OFF]“Here I Am to Worship”(Refrain) Hughes  [Music transition as Mary Magdalene walks behind stage, Jesus moves stool over.]Scene 7: Martha[Projection: Martha, Mary, JesusMusic transition as Martha walks out to table, Mary sits on front step in front of JesusLights: Center Spot ON Center Front ON]Martha:I was there.In the kitchen where it seemed I always was when Jesus came over.I love when he comes over. Lazarus is easier to live with and Mary does her work quicker. They love his stories. I do. But they hang on his every word. Or just sit with him for hours in the courtyard.They can both do that quite well. Sit with him.Sit and do nothing. Do you know anyone like that? They enjoy a well-prepared meal that you’ve worked on for hours and then leave you to clear the table and do the dishes. Someone has to do the work. If we all sat around...the place would be a disaster.So one day I had had enough. After a dinner that would get me accolades in the King’s palace, I am left scraping the burnt chicken skin off the iron shelf. I look out and there is Mary, again sitting at his feet, drinking in his words.[tossing down the towel in her hands, she walks] I walked over. I interrupted, Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.Jesus:Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and it won’t be taken from her.Martha:I wanted to say so much when he said those words. Mary is lazy. She needs to help. I’m doing it all. Why is it always me? Why can she listen...and not me... Then I heard his heart.Jesus:You struggle so hard to control your life yourself instead of giving it over to me. Why do you stress so much over making your life work your way? Instead focus on the One who can take that worry, that pain, that past and give you hope and a future? I am the Way. And I am here.[Lights: Center spot OFF Center Front OFF]“Here I Am to Worship”(stanza) Hughes—[Music transitions as Mary goes behind stage to get the Adulterous Woman’s mic, Martha goes to the back of the sanctuary and gives mic to Pharisee, Jesus takes the stool and moves behind stage, Adulterous Woman comes out to the cross. Mary goes to worship team and Adulterous Woman sits.]Scene 8: Woman Caught in Adultery[Projection: Woman accused of adultery, Jesus, PhariseeLights: Left front ON Right spot ON]Woman:Where was he?Where was he when my husband stopped looking at me with love? His eyes turning grey when he looked at me.Where was he when each week I saw him distance himself further and further from me and I was left at home at night alone with the kids?And where was he when I found out and my husband left me for another woman? Where was he then? Why didn’t he come then? Through that? Through those years?A loving God who cares about me and loves me but allows all of that to happen? Why wouldn’t he keep my marriage together? What God has brought together, let no man break apart.Why would he let it fall apart?So when they brought me to Jesus, I didn’t careI cared as much about him and what he said as the man they caught me with.A prophet, a healer, a savior, I didn’t care. I could die. [Jesus has come and, bending down, started drawing on the ground. Pharisee comes forward on the other side of Jesus.]Pharisee:This woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone people like this. What do you say?Woman:People had said he was a good speaker, a wise teacher, a prophet, but he said nothing. Just knelt down and wrote in the sand with his finger. Some said “God’s Son”... he had nothing to say to me.He had looked at me. I saw him. Maybe he saw I didn’t care. They kept at him—Pharisee:—She was with another woman’s husband. She has sinned against the Law of Moses. Do you uphold the Law or not? What do you say, Teacher? [Jesus stands.]Jesus:The sinless among you, go first. Throw the first stone. [Jesus goes back to his writing. Pharisee finally sees what Jesus is writing and decides to back away to his seat as he “sees others” doing the same.]Woman: The leaders backed away, the accusers let go. Stones people had carried with them dropped. And they all left without a word. Soon it was just me. And he was there.Jesus: Where are they? Does no one condemn you?Woman:No one.Jesus: Neither do I. Go on your way. And from now on, don’t sin.Woman:So I walked. (moves forward) Free.He saved my life. Ten words and I don’t have to pay any more for what I’ve done, the lives I’ve ruined, the ways I’ve screwed up.All those years I asked where.He was there. Here. [points][Lights: Left Front OFF Right spot OFFMusic transition: Adulterous Woman walks off stage, Jesus goes behind stage.]“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” Newton, Tomlin, LUYH 693Scene 9: Peter in the Garden[Projection: Peter, JesusMusic transition as Jesus and Peter move to treesLights: Center Front ON Center spot ON Right spot ON Left front ON]Jesus:Before this night is over, you will all fall to pieces because of what happens to me.Peter: Not me. Even if they all fall away I won’t.Jesus:This night you will deny you know me three times. Before the rooster—Peter: I won’t. Even if I have to die with you, I would never deny you.We all agreed. We wouldn’t leave him. All the way to the garden, Gethsemane, he was silent but we told him we were with him, to the end.Jesus:This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me as I pray. [Jesus moves away into the darker area by cross]Peter: He walked steps away and prayed, pleading that if there was any way to not go through with it that it might be so. On his face in the dirt, he sweat tears of blood. But when he came back to us, me and James and John. We were sleeping. He woke us and told us to stay awake with him. He prayed again and returned but again we had fallen asleep. He asked us to stay alert with him and pray. So he left again. How could we do that to him? His closest friends in his toughest hour. We were there. He was there. We just couldn’t keep our eyes open. Then he returned the third time. He walked up to us, the three of us…We were sleeping.Jesus:Can’t you stick it with me for a single hour? My time is up. I’ll be handed over. Let’s go. My betrayer is here.Peter: So Judas came, and the guards. They hit him with heavy clubs. He wasn’t putting up a fight. They drew blood, cutting him as they bound him. And then they took him. And we fell apart ... and ran. We left him.[Lights: Center Front OFF Center spot OFF Right spot OFF Left Front OFF]“Man of Sorrow What a Name”(st. 1) Bliss[Music transition as Peter sits down, Jesus goes behind stage and Simon comes forward to cross.]Scene 10: Simon Who Carried the Cross[Projection: SimonLights: Left Front ON Right Spot On]Simon:I was there. Coming in from the country, when I saw the crowds on the road I figured half as much that it was another crucifixion parade. The Romans with their horses and flags dragging their prisoners with crosses on their backs, whipped, carrying the beams they’d hang on to die. This time there were a whole lot more people, crazed pack, hundreds of them yelling and throwing things, cursing, flowing out of the city gates like an un-dammed river.The foot soldiers could barely hold them all back. We could see three crosses in the middle of them and three men dragging their feet to die.When we cleared the road we saw more than we wanted.I covered my son’s eyes.One of them, Jesus, they said, was beaten, whipped beyond recognition. His eyes puffed shut, his face and body bloody and flesh torn. He was falling. How he could even walk, let alone carry that beam... but no one helped him.Instead they cursed him at the top of their lungs. Their words with such hate rained on him. Die! Die! I wanted to look away but I didn’t. This had nothing to do with me. And he fell again and then the soldiers pulled me in and told me to carry his cross. No, I said, I have my son and our bags.If you want to see your son again, you’ll do it. Now! And he cracked his whip on my boy. Stop Stop. I will! They threw my boy aside. Go home I yelled. They threw me into him. Pick it up! I helped him up and felt the cuts in his body, his flesh in my fingers. The crown of thorns they’d jammed into his head ran blood like water over his face. How he could even stand I didn’t know. The whip cracked on my back. Move! I went behind him, carrying his cross stepping in the trail of blood he left... until we got there…Golgotha, the place of the skull. [PAUSE] The sound of chains and armor, yelling and swearing. There was a blackness on that hill, the dark blood stained gravel, old spikes, split wood. This was a place of sacrifice, a condemned hill of torture. They threw the cross off me and took him. I turned and ran. (AUDIO of Hammering STARTS) His cries and the hammer spike still haunt me. I left him there. I left him there.[Lights: Left Front OFF Right Spot OFFSimon walks away—brings mic to the pastor]MOMENT OF SILENCEScene 11: Martha’s Mary at the Cross[Projection: Martha's MaryMary comes out to cross in silenceLights: Left Front ON Right Spot ON]Mary:I didn’t want to be there. None of us did.[head shaking “no”] It was too much.We couldn’t believe this was really happening.There was so much yelling and pushing.The horses and soldiers. The screams of pain. And then the quiet when they pulled him up. Just hanging by his arms, his hands... How someone could do that to another man…We followed him for years. No one spoke like him. We dedicated our lives to his teaching. Wherever he went we went and now, now that would stop. Hanging, he struggled to take in each breath. I held mine each time...like I wanted to help him. It didn’t. We sat farther off and could only watch. He called out to God, Father, why have you forsaken me?It got dark and there was thunder in the middle of the day.But people still mocked him. Cat-calling. Leave him! Leave him alone! Let him die in peace. But they wouldn’t. Their hate was deep. They wouldn’t accept him, they wouldn’t listen to him. And now they could get back at him. He would pay. He would pay.For nothing he did.[Lights: Left Front OFF Right Spot OFFMusic transition as Mary returns to worship team.]“Outrageous Grace” BirtillI WAS THERE Scene 12: JesusProjection: JesusLights: No lightsJesus:I will be with you to the end of the age.Not death nor life,   angels nor demons,   the present nor the future.NothingNothingNothing can separate you from the love of our heavenly Father.I am here for you. I am here to be found.I’ve picked you. I will never leave you.There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you.I have been with you from the beginning of time and I’m not going to leave you.“I Belong” Scott and RaineyMessage Mark 15:33–41, “The Centurion’s Confession”Song of Response “Were You There” SpiritualPrayerClosing Song “One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” Johnson, Gifford, RiddleBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter | Pentecost Good FridayWe planned our Good Friday worship around the dramatic reading of portions of John Flokstra’s “I Was There”. This service with embedded readings is available at tinyurl.com/RW138Ensing. John Flokstra’s entire script is available at tinyurl.com/RW138Flokstra.Gathering Song “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service” Bayly, LUYH 928, PH 427, SSS 239Call to Worship: A Story of Love “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son . . .” (John 3:16).gather roundI have a story to tellof one who reached inside himselfand took a handful of lovelike a pile of stardustand said: this is for youit is all you needit is all you will ever needthere is enough hereto change the whole worldtake itmany laughed at himmocked himand ignored the invitationbut some dared to take itand those who didnoticed something about this lovethey found they could do what the gift-giver could dothey could stand with the lostwelcome the travelereat with the hungrythey found themselves doing what the man first did to themgive something of themselves to othersthey became like the manoffering themselvesand as they offered themselvesothers took the invitationand many still doand many still trustit is enough to change the whole world—Roddy Hamilton, New Kilpatrick Parish Church of Scotland, nkchurch.org.uk. Used by permission.Offering “Your Great Name” Nordhoff and NealeScripture Reading Where can I go, where can I run, where can I be that I am not within your love?If I sail on the wings of the wind or make my bed in hell, still there you find me.If I change my appearance like trees through the seasons, still you see my roots.No matter how dark I let my heart become,no matter what doubts and questions I wrestle with in the nightStill there you are—still loving me.I beat at the air with my fists; I curse the rain as it falls on my tear-clinched eyes.Still there you are—still loving me.And even when I don’t know how, who, or why . . .Still . . . there . . . you are . . .Still . . . loving . . . even me. —Paraphrase of Psalm 139:7–12 by Rev. Nathan DeckerDramatic Reading: “I Was There,” by John FlokstraScene 1 “Here I Am to Worship” HughesScenes 6, 7, and 8 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” Newton, Tomlin, LUYH 693Scenes 9, 10, and 11 “Outrageous Grace” BirtillScene 12 “I Belong” Scott and RaineyMessage Mark 15:33–41, “The Centurion’s Confession”Song of Response “Were You There” Spiritual, LUYH 166, GtG 228, SSS 176PrayerClosing Song “One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails)” Johnson, Gifford, RiddleBlessingEaster SundayGathering Song “My Redeemer Lives” MorganCall to Worship “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley, LUYH 182, GtG 245, SSS 181“Low in the Grave He Lay” Lowry, LUYH 186, SSS 185“Resurrection Hymn” Getty and TownendConfession and Assurance: Pastoral Prayer for Easter When everything was darkand it seemed that the sun would never shine again,your love broke through.Your love was too strong,too wide,too deepfor death to hold.The sparks cast by your lovedance and spreadand burst forthwith resurrection light.Gracious God,we praise you for the light of new lifemade possible through Jesus.We praise you for the light of new lifethat shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.We praise you for the light of new lifethat continues to shine in our hearts today.We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,will live in us each day;and that we will be bearers of that lightinto the lives of others. Amen.—© The Revd Michaela Youngson, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. Used by permission.Song “This Is Amazing Grace” Riddle, Farro, and WickhamMessage Mark 16:1–8, “The Words of Faith, Love, and Hope”Response through Song and Offerings“In Christ Alone” Getty and Townend, LUYH 770, SSS 656Profession of FaithPrayer of the PeopleCommunion “You Are My King” Foote“Praise the King” Voss, Smith, Bryce, and FarrenClosing Song “Mighty to Save” Fielding and Morgan, LUYH 611Blessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost  Palm SundayGathering Song “Holy Is the Lord” Tomlin and GiglioCall to Worship “Praise Is Rising (Hosanna)” Brown and Baloche“Holy Is the Lord” Tomlin and GiglioConfession and Assurance “Humble King” Brown“Crown Him with Many Crowns” BridgesMessageMark 14:53–72, “Trial and Denial”Songs of Response “Brokenness Aside” Leonard and Jordan“No Longer Slaves” Johnson, Case, and HelserOffering“Beautiful Things” GungorPrayer of the PeopleClosing Song “Behold Our God” Baird and AltroggeBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost Fifth Sunday of LentGathering Song “I Lift My Eyes Up” DoerksenCall to Worship Jeremiah 31:10–14Songs “Blessed Be Your Name” Redman“God With Us” Ingram and JordanConfession and Assurance Almighty God,you have set before us the pathbut we have wandered on our ownto try to find our way.Sometimes we are like toddlersand we hear your call and come back.Other times, we are children testing boundaries,ignoring Your call until fear finally makes us look back.And still other times we are full of youthful rebellion,demanding to be cut loose and set free,not knowing how much we still needto seek your wisdom and guidance.But most of all, too often we think we are adultsand have figured it all out and know our own way,only to stumble and stray so far.Remind us, parental God,that we are always your children,that we are never fully grown up in your sight,that we always have much to learn.Help us to seek you every day,to acknowledge that we need your wisdom and guidance,and help us to return to the path and walk with you.In the name of Christ,who is our companion on this journey of faith, we pray. Amen. —Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Rev-o-lution.org. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.Song “Lord, I Need You” MaherMessage Mark 14:32–42, “The Garden”Song of Response “Go to Dark Gethsemane” MontgomeryOffering Communion“Behold the Lamb” Getty and Townend“Come to the Table” Van BeilenPrayer of the PeopleClosing Song “I Will Follow” Tomlin, Ingram, and MorganBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost Third Sunday of LentGathering Song“He Knows My Name” WalkerCall to WorshipJeremiah 23:23–24 “Over My Head” Spiritual, arr. Soulodre, Lee“God Himself Is with Us” TersteegenConfession and Assurance“Come As You Are” Glover, Crowder, and Maher“Wonderful, Merciful Savior” Rodgers and Wyse MessageMark 14:1–11, “Jesus Anointed at Bethany”Song of Response“My Jesus, I Love Thee” FeatherstoneOfferingPrayer of the PeopleClosing Song“Will You Come and Follow Me” BellBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost Fourth Sunday of LentGathering Song “Be Still, for the Presence” EvansCall to Worship Friends of God, believe this—God loved the world,God loves the world,we are the beloved!May the truth of this great love storyshine through our worship today,and renew our sense of calling.So come, with your tiredness,your frustrations and your discouragements;come with your doubts, your fears,and your longings;come, to discover yet againhow Jesus reveals God’s love and mercy.Come, in friendship to Godand to each other,and in friendship to the world,to listen for God’s Word to us,to offer our prayers,and to renew our calling.Friends of God, let us worship!—Ann Siddall © 2020. Inspired by John 3:14-21. Stillpoint Spirituality Centre, stillpointsa.org.au. Churches are given permission to reprint or reproduce for noncommercial use in worship services only.Songs “Holy God, We Praise Your Name” Walworth, LUYH 540, GtG 4, SSS 431“Christ, Be All Around Me” Leeland and SmithConfession and Assurance Gracious God,as those who strive to follow Jesus in our livingand to trust your power in our dying,we gather to reflect upon the life that ended on a cross.We recognize in ourselvesthe strengths and weaknesses of Jesus’ disciples:although they loved him,they disappointed and failed him.And yet, gathering with these imperfect friends at this last mealJesus washed their feet in service,and then extended the bread and cup to each.Jesus called them to love one another,and invited them to share in his very lifeand in his acceptance of the road ahead.We are humbled, honored and inspiredby the deep love Christ extended to the world,and we take seriously the calling to be the body of Christ today.Forgive us when we disappoint and fail you,and guide us back to a place of trust and faithful living.Grant us the vision to see the world as you see it,with love and compassion for each creature and all of your creation.We ask this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray to you . . .Our Father. . . . —Written by the Rev. Kelly Burd, © 2020 Local Church Ministries, UCC. Published in Worship Ways, www.ucc.org/worship_worship-ways. Used by permission.Song “Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” BeckerMessage Mark 14:12–26; Exodus 12:1–14; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, “The Lord’s Supper”Song of Response “Cornerstone” Mote, Liljero, MorganOffering “Your Love Defends Me” Kerr and MaherPrayer of the PeopleClosing Song “Reign in Us” Glover and NeufeldBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost Second Sunday of LentGathering Song “Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down” DohertyCall to Worship Lent calls us to journey, this and every day,following Jesus wherever he leads us.Lent calls us to journey:to the place where God covenants with us,to receive the new names we are given.Lent calls us to worship together,to tell future generations the good news.Lent calls us to practice justice,to bring God’s hope to all people.Lent calls us to faithful living,to trust the One who gives us life.Lent calls each of us to take up our cross,to trust the One who bears it with us.Lent calls us to journey with God.Let us worship God, who walks with us,this and every day. —Thom M. Shuman © 2020. lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com. Permission pending.Opening Prayer Eternal God, whose signature we see, if we dare to look, in the creation of the universe, help us this hour to look and to listen for your handwriting and your voice in this place, among these people.Connect our temporary praise to your timeless rhythms, your ageless melodies, your everlasting joyful noise.Guide us now to focus upon you, knowing that in you, our distractions become new possibilities for action.Breathe life into our singing, our praying, our speaking, our listening, our touching, that all these activities might become more than they are. In our worship we reach out to you, O God, knowing that you have already enfolded us in your arms. In Jesus, we pray. Amen.—Inspired by Psalm 19, myredeemerlives.com/prayers.Songs “Hosanna (Praise is Rising)” Brown“Your Great Name” Nordhoff and NealeCommunion as Confession and Assurance “Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer” Williams“All Who Are Thirsty” Brown and RobertsonMessage Mark 11:12–26, “Clearing the Temple”Song of Response “This Is Amazing Grace” Riddle, Farro, and WickhamOffering “I Will Change Your Name” ButlerPrayer of the PeopleClosing Song “King of Heaven” Ingram and BalocheBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday  | Easter | Pentecost First Sunday of LentGathering Song “Come into God’s Presence Singing ‘Alleluia’” Anon.Call to Worship Behind all thingsbehind the grey surfacethere is a glory escapingborn of heavenand belongs to heavena light that welcomesa more profound way of seeing thingsthat transfigures the worldthat casts a spell of hopethat sees the glory in the crossand life within deathit is a glorythat meets us hereon this mountainwhere Jesus Christcovered in the dust of the worldis caught up in the glory of heavenwelcome to the mountain—Roddy Hamilton, New Kilpatrick Parish Church of Scotland, nkchurch.org.uk. Used by permission.Songs“Holy Lord” Bell“Lift Up Your Heads, O Gates” Polman“Hosanna (Praise is Rising)” Brown, BlocheConfession and AssuranceGod of grace,sometimes discipleship is so difficult.We see you standing in front of us and we look for glory.Then you tell us to expect heartbreak and challenge.We get a glimpse of your glory,and we are confused, frightened, unsure what to do or say.God of grace, made known in Jesus the Christ,in the challenge and in the gloryyou call us to look toward you,to listen to you.Grant us the grace and wisdom to watch,to listen,to follow,to learn,and, in the end,to possibly understand,as we join you on The Way,as we explore the glorious Kingdom. Amen.—”Prayer for Grace,” Rev. Gord Waldie, inspired by Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–9; Luke 9:28–36, worshipofferings.blogspot.com/2016/02/, Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License.Song“Your Name” Packiam, BalocheMessage Mark 11:1–11, “Triumphal Entry”Sermon Notes The overriding thought is the contrast between this joyful entry full of hope and celebration versus the looming betrayal and suffering of the cross. The main theme of the triumphal entry, naturally, is triumph, or victory. Triumph means that the war has been won. That’s an important message. In Winston Churchill’s words: “This isn’t the beginning and it isn’t the end, but is the beginning of the end.” The people who celebrated at Jerusalem had that notion in their minds. They might not have understood the event correctly, but on that day they got the celebration right.Song of Response and Offering “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” WesleyPrayer of the PeopleSending Litany This is a vision of the way it can be, the way it should be—Shouts of welcome, a joyful procession,a community celebrating together.The same vision is offered to us today:We can welcome Christ into our lives;We can celebrate his transforming power.How swiftly things changed back then,How swiftly we, too, can be distracted.May we hold fast to his vision of goodness—Peace from the practice of justice,equality from the practice of respect.As this week unfolds,We will let ourselves be overtaken by God’s loveWe will pour it back out into the world.—Jeanyne Slettom, 2015, © Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike.Closing Song “Shout to the Lord” ZschechBlessing

This is part of the worship series, "The Way of the Cross”Series Introduction | Lent 1 | Lent 2Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm Sunday | Good Friday | Easter | Pentecost This service can also be used apart from that series as a Pentecost Sunday service.Gathering Song“Come, Holy Spirit (Uthando)” Counihan and MbonambiCall to Worship“God of Wonders” Byrd and Hindalong“Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty” HeberConfession and AssuranceA Litany of Solidarity: With and Through the SpiritCome, Holy Spirit,Fill us.Come, Holy Breath,Live in us.Come, Holy Wind,Move through us.For those who are led by the Spirit of Godare the children of God.The Spirit you received does not make you slaves,so that you live in fear again.Where we are led by other impulseswe become slaves again,and our way of being is guided by fear.Where we are guided by prejudice,Fill us with love.Where we are guided by pessimism,Fill us with joy. Where we are guided by misunderstanding,Fill us with peace. Where we are guided by superficial quick-fixes,Fill us with patience. Where we are guided by self-interest,Fill us with kindness. Where we are guided by apathy,Fill us with goodness. Where we are guided by convenience,Fill us with faithfulness. Where we are guided by complacency,Fill us with meekness. Where we are guided by temptation,Fill us with self-control.Come, Holy Spirit,Fill us. Come, Holy Breath,Live in us.Come, Holy Wind,Move through us. Amen.—Written by Rev. Pieter Roeloffse, based on Romans 8:14–15. © Christian AIDS Bureau for Southern Africa (CABSA). Used with permission. www.cabsa.org.za/. Permission to use this CABSA material to be reprinted and reproduced for noncommercial use for worship purposes only is given and must include the credit line above.Song“God With Us” Ingram and JordanMessageActs 2, “Pentecostal Spirit”Dramatic Reading“Celebrating God’s Grace: The Story of Pentecost”[This reading can be found in the article "You Shall Be My Witness." This reading employs multiple languages based on the congregation's demographics.]Song of Response / Offering“Reign in Us” Glover and NeufeldPrayers of the PeopleCommunion“All Who Are Thirsty” Brown and Robertson“Come, Holy Spirit” Counihan, Mbonambi and CounihanClosing LitanyThe Spirit descends like a dove,bringing peace to unite the worldin a just and caring community.The Spirit comes like a breath,bringing life to renew the people of God.The Spirit spreads like fire,bringing energy for witnessing to the love of God.Spirit of the living God,come to us and transform our lives by your power.—Book of Worship, © 2012 by United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio. All rights reserved. Used by permission.The LoricaA lorica, or breastplate prayer, is an ancient form of prayer for protection that invokes the power of God as a safeguard against evil. The Saint Patrick’s Breastplate is one of the more well-known loricas. The following is the lorica of St. Fursey, an Irish missionary to Anglo-Saxon England in the 7th century.The arms of God be around my shoulders,the touch of the Holy Spirit upon my head,the sign of Christ’s cross upon my forehead,the sound of the Holy Spirit in my ears,the fragrance of the Holy Spirit in my nostrils,the vision of heaven’s company in my eyes,the conversation of heaven’s company on my lips,the work of God’s church in my hands,the service of God and the neighbor in my feet,a home for God in my heart,and to God, the father of all, my entire being.Amen.—St. Fursey, 7th centuryBlessing