Saint Paul United Church of Christ in Taylor, Michigan
Good Friday Service – 7 April 2023 - Noon
Silent Entrance
Greeting:
One: Blessed be our God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
*Prayer of the Day: Lector: Pastor Cheryl Schalm
One: Let us pray.
All: Almighty God, we ask you to look with mercy on your family for whom our
Savior Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the
hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: Hosea 11
Silence
*Hymn No. 207 “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” Tracy Hoffman, Music Director
Sayings from the Cross:
Luke 23:26-32
Matthew 27:33, 34, 37
Luke 23:35, 36; 23:34, 39-43
John 19:25-27
Luke 23:44-45
Matthew 27:46
John 19:28-30
Luke 23:46
*Hymn No. 202 “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”
Prayers Lector:
One: Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church of God throughout the
world that God may guide it and gather it together so that we may worship God
in peace and tranquility.
Silent prayer.
One: Almighty and eternal God, you have shown your glory to all nations in Jesus
Christ. Guide the work of the church. Help it to persevere in faith, to proclaim your
name, and to offer salvation to All: everywhere. We ask this through Christ our
Savior.
All: Amen.
One: Let us pray for our pastors and other ministers, for all servants of the church,
and for all the people of God.
Silent prayer.
One: Almighty and eternal God, your Spirit guides the church and makes it holy.
Strengthen and uphold our pastors and our leaders; keep them in health and
safety for the good of the church, and help each of us to do faithfully the work to
which you have called us. We ask this through Christ our Savior.
All: Amen.
One: Let us pray for those who serve in public office, that God may guide their minds
and hearts, so that all of us may live in true peace and freedom.
Silent prayer.
One: Almighty and eternal God, you are the champion of the poor and oppressed. In
your goodness, watch over those in authority so that All: everywhere may enjoy
justice, peace, freedom, and a share in the goodness of your creation. We ask
this through Christ our Savior.
All: Amen.
One: Let us pray that the almighty and merciful God may heal the sick, comfort the
dying, give safety to travelers, free those unjustly deprived of liberty, and rid the
world of falsehood, hunger, and disease.
Silent prayer.
One: Almighty and eternal God, you give strength to the weary and new courage to
those who have lost heart. Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble
that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need. We ask this
through Christ our Savior.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)
Meditation upon the Cross
One: Behold the cross on which hung the salvation of the whole world.
All: Come, let us worship the Christ, the child of God.
One: Behold the cross on which hung the salvation of the whole world.
All: Come, let us worship the Christ, the child of God.
One: Behold the cross on which hung the salvation of the whole world.
All: Come, let us worship the Christ, the child of God.
Silence and prayers.
*Hymn No. 210: “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended”
Closing:
One: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
One: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
One: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
The leaders will leave in silence. The people may depart quietly as they
finish their private meditation and prayers.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS –
WELCOME TO ALL SHARING TODAY’S SERVICE IN PERSON AND FACEBOOK LIVESTREAMING which can be viewed on Facebook at other times as well. An order of service is downloadable from our church website (stpaulucctaylor.org) with a video recording of our worship together also posted by later this afternoon.
OUR HOLY WEEK OBSERVANCES culminate with an Easter Morning Service, 10 a.m., with “open communion.” Following Easter worship, all are invited to an Easter Continental Breakfast in Fellowship Hall—a wonderful time to fellowship together and celebrate the risen Christ.
ON SUNDAY MORNING OUR CHURCH SCHOOL CHILDREN JOIN in the Sanctuary for Children’s Chapel then return upstairs. The Sunday School theme is “Those Dirty Dogs.”