April 18, 2025
Good Friday
April 18, 2025 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin for Good Friday
Call to Worship
Pastor Kelly
Come, all who carry heavy burdens.
Come, all who wrestle with grief, injustice, and despair.
Come, all who seek hope in the shadow of the cross.
Congregation:
We come because love brought us here.
We come because love holds us here.
We come to remember, to mourn, and to wait.
Pastor Shonnie:
On this Good Friday, we remember that Jesus walked the road of suffering for the sake of love.
We gather in the shadow of the cross, where God’s mercy meets the brokenness of the world.
Congregation:
In this place of sorrow, may we find the courage to love as Jesus loved.
Opening Prayer
Holy God,
Tonight we sit in the darkness of pain and injustice.
We feel the weight of a broken world.
Yet even here, we dare to believe that love will have the final word.
Hold us in this sacred space.
Help us to see beyond the suffering, beyond the violence, beyond the grave.
In the name of Jesus, who walked this road before us. Amen.
Scripture Reading 1: Isaiah 53:3-5
Isaiah 53:3-5 reads:
He was despised and avoided by others;
a man who suffered, who knew sickness well.
Like someone from whom people hid their faces,
he was despised, and we didn’t think about him.
It was certainly our sickness that he carried,
and our sufferings that he bore,
but we thought him afflicted,
struck down by God and tormented.
He was pierced because of our rebellions
and crushed because of our crimes.
He bore the punishment that made us whole;
by his wounds we are healed.
"He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with grief... by his wounds we are healed."
Reflection
This is not a story of distant suffering — it is a story of deep solidarity.
Jesus was no stranger to pain. He felt the sting of betrayal, the cruelty of injustice, and the silence of those who once called him friend.
He stands with all who suffer today — the oppressed, the forgotten, the hurting.
On this night, we remember that we are not alone.
Hymn
Were You There?
(Verses 1–2)
Scripture Reading 2: Luke 23:32-34
They also led two other criminals to be executed with Jesus.
When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Reflection
Even from the cross, Jesus spoke words of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not forgetting.
Forgiveness is resistance — a refusal to let hatred win.
On this afternoon, we sit with the tension of holding both grief and grace.
Moment of Silence
Pastor Kelly
Take a moment to reflect on where you need forgiveness — and where you need the strength to forgive.
Hymn
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
(Verses 1–2)
Scripture Reading 3: John 19:25-27
Jesus’ mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood near the cross.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “
Woman, here is your son.”
Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
"Woman, here is your son... Here is your mother."
Reflection
Even in his final moments, Jesus saw those who were grieving.
In our shared suffering, we belong to one another.
Who is God calling you to see today?
Who is God calling you to embrace as family?
Candle Lighting Ritual
Candles will be available up front for persons to light candles. A taper candle will be available to light off the altar lights in order for persons to light tea lights/votives
Pastor Kelly Dotson
As the light of the world seems to dim, we remember that even in the deepest darkness, love remains.
For every act of violence, let there be a candle of peace.
For every cry of despair, let there be a candle of hope.
For every wound of injustice, let there be a candle of healing.
Author, Kaitlin B. Curtice, writes: "Love has never been about ease. It is not a warm feeling, but a fierce choice — to see, to stand, to suffer with. The cross is not where love was defeated; it is where love refused to give up." — Kaitlin B. Curtice
As we reflect on the wounded of this world: Where in your life or community is love calling you to show up, even when it costs something?
As you reflect on this question and as music is played you are invited to come and light a candle for a person, community, or part of the world that is suffering.
Pastor Shonnie:
God of compassion, we lift these lights for all who suffer. May our remembrance stir us to action. May our grief be a seed of hope.
Scripture Reading 4: Luke 23:44-46
It was now about noon, and darkness covered the whole earth until about three o’clock, while the sun stopped shining.
Then the curtain in the sanctuary tore down the middle.
Crying out in a loud voice, Jesus said,
“Father, into your hands I entrust my life.”[a] After he said this, he breathed for the last time.
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.":
Reflection
These are words of trust, not defeat.
Even in death, Jesus trusted that God’s love would carry him through.
And so we, too, hold on to hope — not because suffering is absent, but because love is present.
Hymn
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
(Verses 1–3)
Reflection
Pastor Shonnie:
James Cone inspired these words: "We cannot worship the crucified Christ without weeping for the crucified people of today. We cannot look upon the cross without seeing the lynching tree, the refugee camp, the prison cell. We cannot call this day 'good' unless we rise to make it so."
What injustice is stirring your heart today? How is the cross calling you to rise and respond?
As you entered today, you were given a slip of paper in your bulletin. We invite you to write a name, or a burden you wish to lay down. You may place it at the foot of the cross as you leave. (There will need to be some type of cross placed in the back of the sanctuary for people to leave this slips of paper)
As we place our prayers at the foot of the cross, may we trust that what we surrender in love is never lost.
Prayers of the People
Pastor Kelly: Let us pray for those who suffer... (Pause)
Pastor Shonnie: Let us pray for those who grieve... (Pause)
Pastor Kelly: Let us pray for those who work for justice... (Pause)
Pastor Shonnie: Let us pray for our world, longing for healing... (Pause)
Pastor Kelly: God of the brokenhearted,
Hear our prayers.
Hold our pain.
And help us believe that love will rise again.
Communal Affirmation of Hope
Pastor Shonnie: Even on Good Friday, hope is not absent. We believe in a love stronger than death, a light that no darkness can overcome.
All: We believe in justice rolling down like waters, in peace that can be made real, and in the power of love to heal what is broken.
Closing Meditation
Pastor Kelly:
Today, we leave in silence — not because hope is lost, but because hope is waiting.
We leave in grief, but not without faith.
We leave in darkness, but not without love.
This is not the end.
Love will rise again.
Departure in Silence
Participants are invited to leave quietly, reflecting on the mystery of the cross.
Today’s worship participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Worship Arts Associate: Patty Higgins
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