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Opening Prayer

O Christ, who forsook no one
but was forsaken by the closest of friends,
and who committed no crime yet was sentenced to a criminal’s death,
we enter your presence in awe and adoration.
On this day, centuries ago, you could have saved your life,
but you refused to betray the purpose for which you had been born.
You had come into the world to love God and neighbor as yourself;
this was the love for which you had been created,
and when that love required you to shoulder a cross,
you summoned the strength to bear it.
Today, O Christ, as we sing and pray about the cross,
teach us its meaning once again
and help us to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.

(from The Worship Sourcebook M1.4.2)

Hear the Account of Jesus' Arrest

Prayer of Confession

As we remember Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane,
our hearts are filled with shame that we foolishly waste our time in idleness
and that we make little to no progress in the Christian life from day to day.
We lament that war and lust flourish and grow more rampant every day.
Forgive us for our cruel indifference to the cross.
Teach us the good news of your forgiveness.
Allow humanity, degenerate as it is, to live anew,
and hasten the day when the whole world shall be born again. Amen.

(from The Worship Sourcebook M.2.2.2)

Hear the Story of Jesus' Sacrifice

Sermon - Psalm 22

Prayer

Holy God, you have opened our ears to hear your Word and our lips to proclaim your truth: open our eyes this day to see in the cross the revelation of your love; through Jesus the crucified, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, be honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.

(from The Worship Sourcebook M.9.1.7)

Blessing

May you find in the cross a sure ground for faith,
a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven.
And may the blessing of God go with you, now and forevermore. Amen.

(from The Worship Sourcebook M.9.2.1)