Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7 and John 15:1-17
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Songs
Articles by this author:
Scripture: John 18:28-40
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
We did this service on Good Friday because a neighboring church had already planned a Maundy Thursday service. I believe that it could be used effectively on either evening—either with or without a celebration of the Lord's Supper.
Scripture: John 20:1-18
Service Notes
Call to Worship
What ended in darkness on Good Friday begins in light on Easter morning with the Easter shout of praise: "Christ the Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. Glory and honor and dominion and power be to our God for ever and ever! Christ is risen! Alleluia!"
CHRIST ACCUSED
[The narrator stays behind the pulpit. Jesus stands to the front, left, the priest to the front, right, Pilate moves back and forth between Jesus and the priest. The lights are dimmed.]
Narrator: Judas has done his job. Jesus has been arrested, and his disciples have scattered. Only a few hours earlier, he was questioned by the high priest. His face shows the bruising and swelling from a beating he received from the temple guard.
Call to Worship: Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."
O Lord, we turn unfilled to you again.
Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Our souls are restless until we find our rest in you.
Scripture: John 8:12-20
SONG SUGGESTIONS
"Shine, Jesus Shine" RW 39:26; SFL 239
"Christ, the Life of All the Living" PsH 371
Because this song was new to our congregation, we printed a brief history of the hymn in the liturgy and asked the choir to sing the first two verses. "This Little Light of Mine"
We invited the children to come forward and sing this to the congregation.
Scripture: John 10:11-21
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Call to Worship: Psalm 95
Children' Choir: "The Good Shepherd" Delmonte
Children's Sermon
Our director of children's ministry led the children through the Children and Worship lesson on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Using an oversized flannel-board and figures, she spoke of the Good Shepherd who seeks out his sheep.
Songs
Scripture: John 11:17-44
SERVICE SUGGESTIONS
Songs
Our praise team led this service and used the following songs: "Celebrate Jesus," "Hosanna," "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High," "He Is Lord", "There Is a Redeemer," and "I Looked Up." All of them can be found in Songs for Praise and Worship (Word, 1992).
Confession
"And Can It Be That I Should Gain" PsH 267, RL 450, TH 455
Scripture: John 14:1-14
SONG SUGGESTIONS
Prelude: "We Come, O Christ, to You"PsH 238, TH 181
Hymns
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" PsH 470, 471, PH 142, 143, RL 593, 594, TH 296,297
"I Will Sing of My Redeemer" PsH 479, TH 650
"O Jesus, We Adore You" PsH 472, TH 255
"To God Be the Glory" PsH" 632