Christ Church Sandown

Worship at home on Good Friday

Welcome to this service for use at home on Good Friday.  You may like to place in front of you a cross or a picture of one during this time as a visual prompt of what we are remembering today.  As usual where possible the songs/hymn links chosen from YouTube are those which show lyrics so that you are able to join in.

Opening hymn: “There is a green hill far away”.  I am not sure the hill would have been green but the familiar words take us to the place we need to be which is at the cross where Jesus died to save us all. Here is a link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=23rHbE27YuQ

Opening prayer:  Heavenly Father as we reflect on the death of your son today help us to appreciate afresh the love that took Jesus to the cross and the selfless sacrifice he made there on our behalf at such great cost so that we could know forgiveness of our sins and a relationship with you.  Amen.

Reading:  Please find a bible and read John 19:16-37.  You may want to spend a few minutes thinking about the scene described by the reading.  Mark will focus his message on verses 25-27 as Jesus speaks to his mother and the Apostle John from the cross.

Song: “Come and see”.  A beautiful song where we look up to the cross and worship at the feet of Jesus.  Here is a link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejClBRsvkUM

Message:  A message from Mark Williams.  Here is the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqE3oMvhsAM

Song:  “Jesus Christ, I think about your sacrifice”. Here is a link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTB1DX5cK0

Prayers:  We continue to pray today for all those who have the Covid-19 virus, their carers, and their families.  For other who are unwell and those in hospital.  For those attending the funeral of a loved one.  We pray for wisdom for those in Government and leadership positions in their response to the present situation and, in particular, in how and when today’s isolation measures can be ended.  We pray for our families and friends especially for those living alone and who may be feeling particularly isolated at this time.  May the lord make his presence known among our nation and the nations of the world at this time.

You may wish to pray the Lord’s prayer at this point which may be followed by the special prayer for the day (the collect) which is as follows:

Eternal God,
in the cross of Jesus
we see the cost of sin
and the depth of your love:
in humble hope and fear
may we place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Closing hymn:  “When I survey the wondrous cross”.  Here is a link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhvXOIVsRv4

A closing prayer:

Jesus, Son of God, our true and only Saviour:
you died like a criminal on a cross;
but you are God who forgives.
Once broken, helpless and in pain,
you are God in whom there is hope.
You have shown us a love beyond words:
may we know your forgiveness, hope and love, today and always.  Amen.