Please join us at 7:30 pm, April 10th. Please join our ZOOM group just before 7:30 pm.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/295587165?pwd=RFVQcTc0NG9UTndIWlVSQTY2RllDdz09

Meeting ID: 295 587 165 Password: 014386

You can use one of these numbers to access the service by telephone or to make an audio connection. (They are Toronto numbers and long-distance rates may apply.) You will have to enter the above ID and (possibly) the password after you dial. +1 647 374 4685 +1 647 558 0588 

Order of Service: 

Call to worship:

One: God sent the Son into the world

Many: not to condemn the world but to save the world that all may have abundant life.

One: What shall we return to the Lord for such bounty?

Many: Let us lift up the cup of salvation, let us call on the name of the Lord, let us pay our vows to the Lord in the presence of all.

One: We lift up the cup of salvation

Many: in remembrance of the crucified and risen one, in remembrance of those who know the cup of suffering, in remembrance of those who need liberation.

One: Lord, have mercy

Many: Christ, have mercy

One: Lord, have mercy

Let us pray:

Creator God, your love for the world is infinite and unending. Your Son Jesus our Saviour commands us to love one another, to love our neighbour, to love our enemy. So may we live this holy love day by day till all people and the whole creation know your love and abundant life; through Jesus the life of the world. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Readings:

Psalm 22 (Selected verses)

L: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

P: Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

L: O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.

P: Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

L: I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

P: my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

L: you lay me in the dust of death.

P: For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me.

L: My hands and feet have shriveled;

P: I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me;

L: they divide my clothes among themselves,

P: and for my clothing they cast lots.

L: But you, O Lord, do not be far away!

P: O my help, come quickly to my aid!

Matthew 27:35-54

35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;  36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him.  37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.  39Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads  40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,  42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.  43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”  44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  46And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.”  48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.  49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”  50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.  51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.  52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.  53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.  54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Reflection

Prayers of the People

Benediction

To go out as we discussed!