Palm/Passion Sunday
Worship
From Life To Life
Worship Services For Lent and Easter
Order of Worship
Introduction: This worship service was dedicated to the sharing of Scripture. The reading(s) can easily be assigned to different people. In fact, in order to be creative and keep the attention of the congregation, we divided the reading so that characters were consistent throughout.
Announcements, Prayer Concerns, Joys
The Lighting Of The Candles
Hymn: "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (vv. 1 and 2)
Call To Worship: (The Palm Sunday Choice)
L: Jesus had a choice.
P: HIS WAS THE NOMINATION FOR KING IF HE WANTED IT!
L: But Jesus had other things to do.
P: PROCLAIMING GOD'S KINGDOM: TO SERVE INSTEAD OF BEING SERVED!
L: To rule the people's heart, not the government.
P: O JESUS, WE THANK YOU. YOU CHOSE NOT TO BE JUST ANOTHER KING.
L: But now, as on that first Palm Sunday,
P: YOU STILL PROCLAIM GOD'S KINGDOM OF SERVICE AND LOVE AND LEAD OUR WILLING HEARTS TO LIVE AND SHARE YOUR PEACE.
L: Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel!
P: BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
Hymn: "Mantos Y Palmas" (Children enter waving palms)
Unison Prayer:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
L: Let us pray
ALL: God our hope, today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King. Help us to honor him every day, so that we may enjoy his kingship in the New Jerusalem, where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen
Hearing God's Word
Proclamation Of The Entrance Into Jerusalem:
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 21:1-11
Hymn: "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (v. 3)
Prayer For Illumination:
ALL: God our redeemer, you sent your son to be born of a woman and to die for us on the cross; by your Holy Spirit, illumine our lives with your word, so as the scripture is read and proclaimed this day, we may be reconciled and won wholly to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Time With The Children
New Testament Lesson
Philippians 2:5-11
Hymn: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"
The Passion Story Proclaimed:
Matthew 26:14-29
Hymn: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee"
Matthew 26:30-56
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane"
Matthew 26:57-75
Hymn: "Ah, Holy Jesus"
Matthew 27:1-31
Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
Matthew 27:32-44
Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
Matthew 27:45-50
Hymn: " 'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
Matthew 27:51-66
Hymn: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
Responding To God's Word:
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord's Prayer
Offertory
Doxology
ALL: No offering that we bring can compare, O God, with the offering of your son Jesus Christ, and the self-offering that he made on the cross. Nevertheless, may that example move us beyond giving to the genuine offering of ourselves in obedient service, at all costs, for Jesus' sake. Amen
Hymn: "Beneath The Cross Of Jesus"
Benediction And Postlude
Recessional: "Shalom To You"
Palm/Passion Sunday
Matthew 26:14--27:66
Proclaiming The
Passion Story In Dialogue
The following speakers will be used: Narrator (N), Narrator 2 (N2), Judas, Disciple 1 (D1), Jesus, Disciple 2 (D2), Peter, Witness, High Priest, Crowd, Servant Girl, 2nd Girl, Bystander, Chief Priests, Pharisees, Pilate, Pilate's Wife, Soldiers. It would be most effective to have a different person for each role, but some could easily be doubled over, if necessary.
N: Then one of the twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked:
Judas: "What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?"
N: So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on, Judas looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.
N2: On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked:
D1: "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
N: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
N2: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared a passover.
N: When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. And while they were eating, he said:
Jesus: "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
N: They were sad and began to say to Him one after the other:
D1: "Surely not I, Lord?"
D2: "Surely not I, Lord?"
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it was written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better for him if he had never been born."
N: Then Judas, the one who would betray Him, said,
Judas: "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
N2: Jesus answered:
Jesus: "Yes, it is you."
N: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying:
Jesus: "Take and eat; this is my body."
N2: Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them saying:
Jesus: "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
Hymn: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee"
N: When they had sung a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.
N2: Then Jesus told them:
Jesus: "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
N: Peter replied:
Peter: "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
N2: Jesus answered:
Jesus: "I will tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
N: But Peter declared:
Peter: "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."
N2: And all the other disciples said the same.
N: Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them:
Jesus: "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
N2: He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them:
Jesus: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
N: Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed:
Jesus: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
N2: Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping, and asked Peter:
Jesus: "Could you not watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
N: Jesus went away a second time and prayed:
Jesus: "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
N2: When Jesus came back, He found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
N: Then He returned to the disciples and said to them:
Jesus: "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer."
N2: While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
N: Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
Judas: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him."
N2: Going at once to Jesus, Judas said:
Judas: "Greetings, Rabbi!"
N: And Judas kissed Him.
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Friend, do what you came for."
N: Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.
N2: With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
N: Jesus said to him:
Jesus: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I can not call my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
N2: Jesus turned to the crowd and said:
Jesus: "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."
N: Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane"
N2: Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
N: But Peter followed at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
N2: The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death.
N: But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
N2: Finally two came forward and declared:
Witness: "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "
N: Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus:
High Priest: "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
N2: But Jesus remained silent.
N: The high priest said to Him:
High Priest: "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
N: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said:
High Priest: "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
Crowd: "He is worthy of death."
N2: Then they spit in His face and struck Him with their fists.
N: Others slapped Him and said:
Crowd: "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
N2: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him saying:
Servant Girl: "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
N: But he denied it before them all saying:
Peter: "I don't know what you're talking about."
N2: Then he went to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there:
2nd Girl: "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
N: Peter denied it again, with an oath, saying:
Peter: "I do not know the man!"
N: After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said:
Bystander: "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."
N2: Then he began to call curses on himself and he swore to them:
Peter: "I don't know the man!"
N: Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken.
Jesus: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
N2: And Peter went outside and wept bitterly. Hymn: "Ah, Holy Jesus"
N: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
N2: They bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate, the governor.
N: When Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying,
Judas: "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood."
N2: The chief priests replied:
Chief Priests: "What's it to us? That's your responsibility."
N: So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.
N2: Then he went away and hanged himself.
N: The chief priests picked up the coins and said:
Chief Priests: "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money."
N2: So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.
N: That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
N2: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
N: Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him:
Pilate:
"Are you the king of the Jews?"
N: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Yes, it is as you say."
N2: When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him:
Pilate: "Don't you hear how many things they are accusing you of?"
N: But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor.
N2: Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
N: So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them:
Pilate:
"Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?"
N2: For Pilate knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
N: While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message:
Pilate's Wife: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him."
N2: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed, so when Pilate asked:
Pilate:
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?"
N: They answered:
Crowd: "Barabbas."
N2: Pilate asked:
Pilate:
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus, who is called the Christ?"
Crowd: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Pilate:
"Why? What crime has He committed?"
N2: Pilate asked. The crowd only grew louder:
Crowd: (louder) "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
N: When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said:
Pilate:
"I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility!"
N2: All the people answered:
Crowd: "Let His blood be on us and on our children!"
N: Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified.
N2: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around Him.
N: They stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it on His head.
N2: They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him saying:
Soldiers: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
N: They spit on Jesus!
N2: And then they took the staff they had given Him, and struck Him on the head again and again.
N: When they had finished mocking Him they took off the robe and put His own clothes back on Him.
N2: Then they led Him away to be crucified. Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
N: As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. N2: They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
N: There they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
N2: When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots.
N: And sitting down, they kept watch over Him. Above His head they placed the written charge against Him:
Soldiers: "This is Jesus, King of the Jews!"
N2: Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right, and one on His left.
N: Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying:
Bystanders: "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
N2: In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him, saying:
Chief Priests, Pharisees: (Together or separately) "He saved others, but He can't save Himself! He's the King of Israel. Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if God wants Him, for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "
N: In the same way, the robbers who were crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him.
Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
N2: From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness came over the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.
Jesus: (Loudly) "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!"
N: Which means:
Jesus: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
N2: When those standing by heard this they said:
Crowd: "He is calling Elijah!"
N: Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
N2: But the rest said:
Crowd: "Leave Him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him."
N: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His Spirit.
Hymn: " 'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
N2: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
N: The earth shook and the rocks split.
N2: The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to people.
N: When the centurion and those with Him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened they were terrified and exclaimed:
Soldiers: "Surely He was the Son of God!"
N2: Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs.
N: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
N2: As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
N: Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
N2: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there across from the tomb.
N: The next day, the one after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and said:
Chief Priests, Pharisees: "Sir, we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days, I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
N2: Pilate said to them:
Pilate: "Take a guard. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how."
N: So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.
Hymn: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
Introduction: This worship service was dedicated to the sharing of Scripture. The reading(s) can easily be assigned to different people. In fact, in order to be creative and keep the attention of the congregation, we divided the reading so that characters were consistent throughout.
Announcements, Prayer Concerns, Joys
The Lighting Of The Candles
Hymn: "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (vv. 1 and 2)
Call To Worship: (The Palm Sunday Choice)
L: Jesus had a choice.
P: HIS WAS THE NOMINATION FOR KING IF HE WANTED IT!
L: But Jesus had other things to do.
P: PROCLAIMING GOD'S KINGDOM: TO SERVE INSTEAD OF BEING SERVED!
L: To rule the people's heart, not the government.
P: O JESUS, WE THANK YOU. YOU CHOSE NOT TO BE JUST ANOTHER KING.
L: But now, as on that first Palm Sunday,
P: YOU STILL PROCLAIM GOD'S KINGDOM OF SERVICE AND LOVE AND LEAD OUR WILLING HEARTS TO LIVE AND SHARE YOUR PEACE.
L: Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel!
P: BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
Hymn: "Mantos Y Palmas" (Children enter waving palms)
Unison Prayer:
L: The Lord be with you.
P: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
L: Let us pray
ALL: God our hope, today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King. Help us to honor him every day, so that we may enjoy his kingship in the New Jerusalem, where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen
Hearing God's Word
Proclamation Of The Entrance Into Jerusalem:
Gospel Lesson
Matthew 21:1-11
Hymn: "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" (v. 3)
Prayer For Illumination:
ALL: God our redeemer, you sent your son to be born of a woman and to die for us on the cross; by your Holy Spirit, illumine our lives with your word, so as the scripture is read and proclaimed this day, we may be reconciled and won wholly to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Time With The Children
New Testament Lesson
Philippians 2:5-11
Hymn: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"
The Passion Story Proclaimed:
Matthew 26:14-29
Hymn: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee"
Matthew 26:30-56
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane"
Matthew 26:57-75
Hymn: "Ah, Holy Jesus"
Matthew 27:1-31
Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
Matthew 27:32-44
Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
Matthew 27:45-50
Hymn: " 'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
Matthew 27:51-66
Hymn: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
Responding To God's Word:
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Lord's Prayer
Offertory
Doxology
ALL: No offering that we bring can compare, O God, with the offering of your son Jesus Christ, and the self-offering that he made on the cross. Nevertheless, may that example move us beyond giving to the genuine offering of ourselves in obedient service, at all costs, for Jesus' sake. Amen
Hymn: "Beneath The Cross Of Jesus"
Benediction And Postlude
Recessional: "Shalom To You"
Palm/Passion Sunday
Matthew 26:14--27:66
Proclaiming The
Passion Story In Dialogue
The following speakers will be used: Narrator (N), Narrator 2 (N2), Judas, Disciple 1 (D1), Jesus, Disciple 2 (D2), Peter, Witness, High Priest, Crowd, Servant Girl, 2nd Girl, Bystander, Chief Priests, Pharisees, Pilate, Pilate's Wife, Soldiers. It would be most effective to have a different person for each role, but some could easily be doubled over, if necessary.
N: Then one of the twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked:
Judas: "What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?"
N: So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on, Judas looked for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.
N2: On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked:
D1: "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
N: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
N2: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared a passover.
N: When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. And while they were eating, he said:
Jesus: "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
N: They were sad and began to say to Him one after the other:
D1: "Surely not I, Lord?"
D2: "Surely not I, Lord?"
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it was written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better for him if he had never been born."
N: Then Judas, the one who would betray Him, said,
Judas: "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
N2: Jesus answered:
Jesus: "Yes, it is you."
N: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying:
Jesus: "Take and eat; this is my body."
N2: Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them saying:
Jesus: "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
Hymn: "O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee"
N: When they had sung a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.
N2: Then Jesus told them:
Jesus: "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
N: Peter replied:
Peter: "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
N2: Jesus answered:
Jesus: "I will tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
N: But Peter declared:
Peter: "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."
N2: And all the other disciples said the same.
N: Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them:
Jesus: "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
N2: He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them:
Jesus: "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
N: Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed:
Jesus: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
N2: Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping, and asked Peter:
Jesus: "Could you not watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
N: Jesus went away a second time and prayed:
Jesus: "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
N2: When Jesus came back, He found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
N: Then He returned to the disciples and said to them:
Jesus: "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer."
N2: While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
N: Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
Judas: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him."
N2: Going at once to Jesus, Judas said:
Judas: "Greetings, Rabbi!"
N: And Judas kissed Him.
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Friend, do what you came for."
N: Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.
N2: With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
N: Jesus said to him:
Jesus: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I can not call my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
N2: Jesus turned to the crowd and said:
Jesus: "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."
N: Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Hymn: "Go To Dark Gethsemane"
N2: Those who had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
N: But Peter followed at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
N2: The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death.
N: But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
N2: Finally two came forward and declared:
Witness: "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "
N: Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus:
High Priest: "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
N2: But Jesus remained silent.
N: The high priest said to Him:
High Priest: "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
N2: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
N: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said:
High Priest: "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
Crowd: "He is worthy of death."
N2: Then they spit in His face and struck Him with their fists.
N: Others slapped Him and said:
Crowd: "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
N2: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him saying:
Servant Girl: "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
N: But he denied it before them all saying:
Peter: "I don't know what you're talking about."
N2: Then he went to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there:
2nd Girl: "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
N: Peter denied it again, with an oath, saying:
Peter: "I do not know the man!"
N: After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said:
Bystander: "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."
N2: Then he began to call curses on himself and he swore to them:
Peter: "I don't know the man!"
N: Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken.
Jesus: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
N2: And Peter went outside and wept bitterly. Hymn: "Ah, Holy Jesus"
N: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
N2: They bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate, the governor.
N: When Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying,
Judas: "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood."
N2: The chief priests replied:
Chief Priests: "What's it to us? That's your responsibility."
N: So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.
N2: Then he went away and hanged himself.
N: The chief priests picked up the coins and said:
Chief Priests: "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money."
N2: So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.
N: That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
N2: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
N: Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him:
Pilate:
"Are you the king of the Jews?"
N: Jesus replied:
Jesus: "Yes, it is as you say."
N2: When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him:
Pilate: "Don't you hear how many things they are accusing you of?"
N: But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor.
N2: Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
N: So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them:
Pilate:
"Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?"
N2: For Pilate knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
N: While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him a message:
Pilate's Wife: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him."
N2: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed, so when Pilate asked:
Pilate:
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?"
N: They answered:
Crowd: "Barabbas."
N2: Pilate asked:
Pilate:
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus, who is called the Christ?"
Crowd: "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
Pilate:
"Why? What crime has He committed?"
N2: Pilate asked. The crowd only grew louder:
Crowd: (louder) "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
N: When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said:
Pilate:
"I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility!"
N2: All the people answered:
Crowd: "Let His blood be on us and on our children!"
N: Then Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified.
N2: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around Him.
N: They stripped Jesus and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it on His head.
N2: They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him saying:
Soldiers: "Hail, King of the Jews!"
N: They spit on Jesus!
N2: And then they took the staff they had given Him, and struck Him on the head again and again.
N: When they had finished mocking Him they took off the robe and put His own clothes back on Him.
N2: Then they led Him away to be crucified. Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This?"
N: As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. N2: They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
N: There they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
N2: When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots.
N: And sitting down, they kept watch over Him. Above His head they placed the written charge against Him:
Soldiers: "This is Jesus, King of the Jews!"
N2: Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right, and one on His left.
N: Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying:
Bystanders: "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
N2: In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him, saying:
Chief Priests, Pharisees: (Together or separately) "He saved others, but He can't save Himself! He's the King of Israel. Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if God wants Him, for He said, 'I am the Son of God.' "
N: In the same way, the robbers who were crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him.
Hymn: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
N2: From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness came over the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice.
Jesus: (Loudly) "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!"
N: Which means:
Jesus: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
N2: When those standing by heard this they said:
Crowd: "He is calling Elijah!"
N: Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
N2: But the rest said:
Crowd: "Leave Him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him."
N: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His Spirit.
Hymn: " 'Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies"
N2: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
N: The earth shook and the rocks split.
N2: The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to people.
N: When the centurion and those with Him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened they were terrified and exclaimed:
Soldiers: "Surely He was the Son of God!"
N2: Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for His needs.
N: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
N2: As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
N: Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
N2: Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there across from the tomb.
N: The next day, the one after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and said:
Chief Priests, Pharisees: "Sir, we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days, I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
N2: Pilate said to them:
Pilate: "Take a guard. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how."
N: So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.
Hymn: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
