Nahum 3:1-19 OR Zechariah 12:1-13:1
Psalm 77: (1-2) 3-10 (11-20)
Matthew 27:57-66 OR Mark 15:42-47 OR Luke 23:50-56 OR John 19:31-42
[Comprehensive option: Jn 19:31-37; Lk 23:50-52; Mk 15:44-45; Jn 19:39-42; Lk 23:55-56]
Romans 16:1-25 (26-27)
CALL TO WORSHIP (Zech 12:10-13:1)
The LORD has spoken, saying: I will pour out a spirit of compassion
and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
When they look on the one whom they have pierced,
they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child,
and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great
as the mourning in the plain of Megiddo.
The land shall mourn, each family by itself; the family of
the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves;
the family of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves;
and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.
On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
INVOCATION
Lord Jesus Christ, even in death, you, the Living Word, have spoken and offered the testimony of God, the testimony of the Spirit and the water and the blood, that the Word of the LORD might not return empty. Even in death you fulfilled the prophets, preached to the spirits that were in prison, and kept the Sabbath wholly, manifesting the grace of God in the face of the abuse and disgrace that continued to be heaped upon you, even in death. Now, O Lord, now that you live again, how much more do we hope to hear from you, from you, the Lord of Eternal Life, and how much more do we hope to be refreshed in your Holy Spirit, to see you in your glory! Meet with us, we pray, in this time and place, and speak from eternity, testify once more, that we may hear and be strengthened in faith and hope and the love of your dear name.
CALL TO CONFESSION (Zech 12:1-9)
Thus says the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the human spirit within: See, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling for all the surrounding peoples; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth shall come together against it. On that day, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But on the house of Judah I will keep a watchful eye. Then they shall say to themselves, “Those in Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God.” On that day the LORD will shield those in Jerusalem so that the feeblest among them shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like the angel of the LORD. In penitence and faith, let us confess our sins and ask the LORD to forgive, defend, and preserve us, as he will do for Jerusalem, on that day. We ask first silently, and then in unison, using the prayer that is printed in your bulletin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O LORD, do not spurn us forever; do not forget to be gracious. Let not your steadfast love cease or your promises go unfulfilled. For we are troubled by the state of the world, and troubled that the world’s troubles reflect the troubled state of the church and, indeed, our own souls. Forgive us, LORD, for seeking peace and respite, reconciliation and salvation, in places where they are not to be found. Forgive us for our rebellious ways that, in the end, required the death of your Son. Forgive us for the ways in which we continue to rebel. Teach us, O LORD, how to order our lives through humble submission to you and to the holy and righteous, yet gracious and loving ways that are the sure sign of your kingdom. And may your kingdom soon come to earth and be manifestly established under the Lordship of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, both now and forever.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Cause no dissension and give no one cause for stumbling, for such conduct is contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and those who do these things do not serve our Lord Christ. Rather, they serve their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. Instead, be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. Let your obedience be known to all. For the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you, by whose death on the cross a fountain has been opened to cleanse you from sin and impurity. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. Now to God, who is able to strengthen you according to the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages, but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever! Amen.
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