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WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH

TRADITIONAL SERVICES

18 April 2025 | GOOD FRIDAY

Wesley Sanctuary 8.30am (Live-streamed) | 11.00am

I.  GATHERING

MEDITATION VERSES

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.
He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15:33-34

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Corinthians 5:21

PREPARATION PRAYER

All: 
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you and one another
and worthily magnify your holy name
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

PRELUDE

GREETING

CALL TO CONFESSION 

All:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. 

Silent Reflection 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION 

Merciful God,
our lives are cluttered by too many things
and too much to do.
We are driven by the need to succeed
and distracted from our service.
We cling on to titles, positions, and power
and let them define us.
We refuse to slow down until
we are broken down.
Help us to relinquish all idols
that are hindering us from
living out what we proclaim,
“You are sufficient for all our needs.” 

Amen. 

ASSURANCE OF PARDON 

Leader:
To all who humbly seek the mercy of God we know
in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. 

People:
Thanks be to God. 

CALL TO WORSHIP *

Leader:
All who thirst, come to the water.
Come, all who are weary;
come, all who yearn for forgiveness.

People:
The Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ has washed over us,
and our gracious and holy God beckons and blesses us.

Leader:
Drink deeply of these living waters.

People:
Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

Leader:
As we are called into worship on this day,
it is sobering to remember
that when God appeared on earth in the person of Jesus,
most of the world did not recognize him
and therefore did not worship him.
Today we ask for the faith that will open our eyes
to see Jesus for who he is,
that we might worship him in truth.
People of God, behold and see your God! 

People:
Lord Jesus, we open our eyes to see your glory.
We open our ears to hear his wisdom.
We open our hands to offer him gifts.
We open our mouths to sing his praise.
We open our hearts to offer him our love.
You are Lord!

OPENING HYMN *
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded UMH 285

UNISON PRAYER

God of glory,
in a world drawn to so many lesser visions of glory,
teach us the greater glory of Jesus,
   who did not grasp power,
   who was obedient to death,
   who did not despise the lowly,
   who stooped to wash his disciples’ feet.
Help us to be formed
   into the likeness of Jesus.

Silent Reflection 

Help us
   to do nothing out of selfish ambition,
   to seek the interests of others,
   to love our enemies,
   to be servants of your peace. 

Silent Reflection 

We pray this in the name of our suffering Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

PRAYER HYMN UMH 285
To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord

SILENT PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER (ASAS)

MUSICAL INTERLUDE 

II.   SERMON   

III.   WE RESPOND IN SHARING & GIVING

SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE

CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH

OFFERTORY PRAYER 

TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD

DOXOLOGY
A Lenten Doxology 
Text: G. W. Dub Shepherd, 2006
Music (OLD 100th): Attr. to Louis Bourgeois, 1551 

Praise God throughout these forty days.
Praise Christ, our Lord, whom God did raise.
And praise the Spirit who imparts
God’s love in Christ into our hearts.
Amen. 

IV.   SENDING FORTH

CLOSING HYMN *UMH 298 
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

BENEDICTION *

POSTLUDE

Prayer Ministry at the Altar
If you need someone to pray with you, please proceed to the inner rails of the altar area. If you wish to pray alone, please use the outer rails.

* Congregation may stand.