FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
North Attleborough, MA
GOOD FRIDAY
April 7, 2023
Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
We are so glad you chose to worship with us this evening. We invite you to join in on the bold print in the bulletin. The restrooms are out the back door of the sanctuary to the right, as is the nursery, in case your little one needs a walkabout. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please join us for coffee and refreshments after worship!
Please remember to mute your devices during worship.
WELCOME
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
GIFT OF MUSIC — “By His Wounds”
Luke 23:32-34 — Now two others, both criminals, were led away with Jesus to be crucified. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said:
ALL: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
Luke 23:39-43 — Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying: Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us. The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply: “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Jesus replied to him,
ALL: Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
John 19:25-27 — Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother,
ALL: “Woman, behold your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
ALL: “Behold, your mother.”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
Matthew 27:45-46 — From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At about three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
ALL: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
John 19:28 — Aware that everything was now finished, in order that scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said,
ALL: “I thirst.”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
John 19:30 — There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to Jesus’ mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
ALL: “It is finished.”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
Luke 23:44-46 — It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
ALL: “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.”
Time for Silent Prayer
…Have mercy on us, O God.
ALL: Through the cross, O God, you show us your unconditional love, and you assure us that no matter what, you will never leave us alone.
Sung Response: “We are healed by Your sacrifice in the life that you gave. We are healed, for You paid the price. By Your grace, we are saved. We are saved.”
Time of Prayer and Reproach / Lord’s Prayer
Response:
…you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy God, have mercy upon us.
Dismissal