10 April, 2020

Introduction During this very disrupted season of our life it remains our desire to worship together. Is was this desire that gave life to our weekly Living room liturgy.

This document is designed to lead you through a time of structured worship. You could make use of each of the sections or you may choose to follow just a few of them. You may choose to worship on your own or with your family. This is your time of worship. However you choose to spend this time of worship, I strongly recommend that you follow it up by intentionally seeking connection with people both inside and outside your Covid-19 bubble.


We encourage you to join in this worship at the normal time of Sunday worship to maintain a familiar rhythm in our disrupted world. At this early stage this service document is very much a work in progress, comments and suggestions are welcomed. Send them to minister@hibiscuscoastpresbyterian.org.nz

There might be some links in this document to content on YouTube and/or elsewhere on the internet. Those are optional and it is up to you if you want to make that part of your time of worship. To use these click on the link and it will open in your internet browser. Please make sure your volume is turned up.

This Living room liturgy is made up of movements that serve to enable a full sense of worship. If you worship with someone, take turns with the readings and allow time to respond to what the Spirit of God might be stirring in your hearts.

The sections of our liturgy are:

Our approach to worship and the call of God to all of his people,
Our response through prayer and song,
Reading of scripture passages,

A devotional message from Rev. Werner Schroeder on the scripture readings and liturgical moments,
A chance to reflect and respond to God’s word. Our closing benediction.

What you might need

Internet connection. (if you intend to follow the links to internet based content)

Bible, a pen and this Living-room Liturgy

A candle (if health and safety regulations allow)
A quiet place that is distraction free, perhaps your living/dining room

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HibiscusLiving-room Liturgy

mailto:minister@hibiscuscoastpresbyterian.org.nz

10 April, 2020

Elements of communion such as bread/crackers and juice/water

Please also silence your mobile phone and other distracting devices for the time that you partake in the HCPC Living-room Liturgy.

Take your time | Be comfortable | Let us celebrate our worship together


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10 April, 2020

Approach and Call Opening words Traditionally a worship service on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday focusses on the events leading unto the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. Some of the preceding events that you may like to focus on are:

The Last Supper (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-38;

John 13:21-30)

In the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42;

Luke 22:39-45)

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52;

Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11)

The Religious Leaders Condemn Jesus (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1;

Luke 22:66-71)

Good Friday is also the most somber festival on our calendar, when the reading of scriptures that cause us to reflect on the events preceding our Lords death leaves us with feelings of sorrow and mourning. In a sense the name Good Friday does not really reflect the horror of what happened on a Friday in April (30AD or 33 AD). If the name of our feast were to point to the events it might have been better to call it Dark Friday.

I would have preferred to tell the story in such a way that we were not left feeling saddened, but rather filled with hope. Not the kind of hope we talk about when we “hope” for rain, or “hope” to goes well, or “hope” to get through our lockdown - but filled with the Living Hope of salvation.

I would like you to start this Liturgy being reminded that what happened on Easter Friday, and all the events leading up to that moment when Jesus cried out τετέλεσται - Tetelestai: It is Finished/Paid in full, happened not to sadden us - but 1to reconcile us to God.

All of the world religions have this notion of people sacrificing to their gods. Somehow paying a price for the privilege of a good relationship or good fortune from the deity. However, as I have said so many times, Christianity is an upside down religion. In so many ways it differs fundamentally from all other religions and Easter celebrates the pinnacle of this as it highlights that our God paid the price. Jesus paid it all, He brought the final sacrifice.

Silence and Intention Take the time now to be silent. It is in moments of complete silence that our senses come alive and we are acute to what is happening around us. Prepare yourself to be open to the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit.

John 19:3013

10 April, 2020

What are you hearing?

What thoughts (and perhaps emotions) are you now aware of?

What are the sensations that you are experiencing in your body?

What is your deepest desire in this moment?

Be aware of where you are and what you are experiencing. Become aware of the possibility that somewhere in a living-room on the Hibiscus Coast, others are also engaged in this time of worship, perhaps also thinking of you as they bring their prayers and thoughts before God.

Lighting a Candle Keeping a sound mind and adhering to all Health and Safety regulations, light a candle (or play a YouTube clip of a candle being lit such as: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-OUvfBEYIQ).

There is something fascinating in the flickering of a flame and as you see, smell and listen in this moment, be aware that this flame is a visual reminder of the presence of God.

Read or perhaps recite aloud the words of John 1:4-5

'in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. '

Take a moment now to think about this verse and if you are sharing this time with a loved one, discuss your thoughts with each other. What insight does this reading bring into a disrupted world, paused by Covid-19?

Call to Worship 1 (Psalm 22) All the ends of the earth will remember

and turn to the Lord.

All the families of the nations 
will bow down before God.

For dominion belongs to the Lord.

God rules over the nations.

All peoples on the earth will feast and worship. 
Those who cannot keep themselves alive
will kneel before the Lord.

Posterity will serve God.

Future generations will be told about the Lord.

They will proclaim God’s righteousness 
to a people yet unborn.Response to God’s call

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-OUvfBEYIQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-OUvfBEYIQ

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Communion Perhaps you were part of our communion celebration just a week or two before we went into lockdown. We did not serve communion in the pews, but gathered ourselves around tables with a loaf of bread and a glass of juice. On that day the sacramental meal of the Eucharist transformed into a missional meal as our parish shared in loud fellowship around those tables.

What a special and certainly prophetic moment of community that was, perhaps more so now that we are not able to gather for communion on Easter Friday. The limitation is however not reason enough for us to miss out on the meal of remembrance as our Lord Jesus taught His disciples, and as such I invite you to celebrate the Holy Communion on this Holy day.

I have recorded a video specifically for the celebration of communion and that video can be viewed by following this link: xxx

In essence though, you can celebrate communion at home by working through these four moments:

1. Elements • These are the elements that Jesus used. He was having dinner with his friends

and took the bread and the wine that was on the table. What is important though is not the specific bread or wine but rather that you have two basic elements such as crackers, bread, grape juice or even water

2. Remembrance • Here you may want to read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 as an audible reminder of

what the elements of bread and wine represent and how it came to be part of what we know as Communion.

• Perhaps you would like to break your piece of bread as a symbol of Christs broken body and lift the cup as a visual reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made.

3. Blessing • "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it

to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." hen He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:26-28

• You may now pray in your own words a prayer of blessing, reflection and remembrance as you take the bread and eat it and then take the wine and drink it.

4. Prayer Let us join in prayer with the body of Christ throughout all the ages as we pray the Lord’s prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven. 5

10 April, 2020

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Worship 2 (John 18, 19) Come, let us gather again in the shadow

of the Cross of Christ.

We gather to remember the overwhelming evidence
of Love’s ultimate sacrifice.

Who would have guessed that the height and depth,

the length and width of God’s love might look like this:

a forsaken savior on a cross?

Certainly not us. Not us, who are too often lost
amid the world’s distractions and responsibilities. 
Not us, for whom such love was offered without cost.

Let us gather again in the shadow of the Cross of Christ

and commit ourselves to remember the price paid.

Let us live our lives in a way that indicates why

this Friday is called “Good.”

Thanks be to God, who opened the gates of heaven,
that we might have the faith, hope, and love,
witnessed in Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation.

Prayer (Psalm 8, Hebrews 10, Good Friday) O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Who are we that you are mindful of us?

Yet, you consider us only a little lower

than the heavenly angels.

O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Almighty God,

we would be lying to you and deceiving ourselves

if we pretended to be joyful and satisfied today.

We are not.

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The violent pain that our friend Christ Jesus endured

makes us want to hide and wait until it is over;

it makes us wish to ignore his wounds altogether.

Yet in the miracle of grace, you have drawn us here,

along with millions of others around the earth,

that we might remember Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice

and covenant of grace.

As we worship you today

and undertake the ancient work of remembering,

we ask that you open our hearts to feel anew

exactly why this is called “Good Friday.”

In the name of Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Song: And can it be that I should gain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu2uA6U4Fxg)

Singing on your own might be strange to you, or perhaps you are someone who embraces the reverb of your kitchen to sing loud and often. In this time, be comfortable and worship our God. You may use other songs, you may choose to simply recite the words of this hymn.

Amazing Love! How can it be? That thou my God should die for me?

‘Tis merry all, immense and free For O my God, it found out me!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Words of Assurance (Hebrews 10) We are guilty, but God is faithful.

In this faithfulness, God chose to remember

our lawlessness no longer.

Through Christ, our sins—yours and mine—

are not only forgiven, they are forgotten.

Christ blotted out the ledger book with his love.

Scripture Reading Mark 15:21-41 Galatians 6:14-16

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu2uA6U4Fxg

10 April, 2020

Message from our minister Good Friday is usually dominated by feelings of mourning. It is with a certain sombreness that I reflect on years gone by and how the Easter Bible readings have left me feeling sad and sorrowful - reminded about how I also need salvation and the grace fo God. Somehow the screening of The Passion of the Christ, that I saw many years ago, still paints pictures of the words I read in the Bible passages during Holy Week.

This year I think that Easter is even more so than before. Churches countrywide have resorted to some sort of online ministry, trying our best to stay connected and engaged as faith communities. Yet, there is a sadness in the air around Easter 2020. It is not like it used to be … or how we want it to be … Even the Prime Minister has hinted at this sadness when she addressed the children of Aotearoa on how the Easter bunny may not get around to every home this year.

All of this have brought me to a place in my Easter Preparations where I crave hope. I need to see more than the tears, more than the sorrow, more than the cruel horror of the events that lead up to the death of Jesus on Calvary. I need to somehow be flung into the glory and hope of His resurrection. Maybe you do too? Perhaps we all share in the desire for Hope? Perhaps it is fuelled by the longing of physically meeting up - living in bigger bubbles of community, or perhaps it is fuelled by the strange new way we do our shopping - as if everyone is infected with a deadly disease, or perhaps it is the groaning of creation as St Paul described it in Romans 8 that brings every believer to yearn for the Hope of the future Glory of God?

However it might be, I know that there is no resurrection without the crucifixion and we cannot know the glory of the resurrection of Christ if we do not also kneel at the foot of His cross. So then, let each of us bring to mind the cross on which Jesus died. Let it be a in the centre of our remembrance.

Traditionally, it is the shouts of Hosanna on Easter Sunday that brings forth Hope in a new and powerful way as the empty tomb declares: our God is alive!! But this year I saw a painting of James Tissot (1836 - 1902) titled View from the cross. The artist painted an impression of what Jesus might have seen as He hung there suspended by the nails. The change in perspective spoke to me in a deep way. Reminding me of how the cross of Jesus is a symbol of Hope. (I include a copy of that painting and a description of the artwork as published by the Brooklyn Museum here. ) 2

https://www.artbible.info/art/large/495.html28

This work is also known as "What Our Lord Saw from the Cross". 

A motley crew has gathered round the recently crucified Christ. At his feet, we see a woman, probably Mary Magdalene. In the middle of a group of women, a possible two more Mary's: Mary, mother of Christ and Mary,

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mother of Jacob the Younger. The man to their left could be John the Evangelist.

Some Roman soldiers are looking on, including possibly a centurion – the man clad in red. He has a downcast look. After Jesus breathes his last, Luke has him acclaim: ‘This man was truly just'.

The men on horseback are Jewish scribes. They seem satisfied with the situation – after all, they were the ones who had pressed Pilate into having their rival crucified.

In the background, Tissot has painted a tomb where the body is to be deposited the same night. The pots in the foreground may contain edik (vinegar) that some joker offered Christ for water.

Tissot traveled to the Middle East in 1885, 1889 and 1896 to further his knowledge of the landscape, architecture and clothes and habits of the people, to illustrate the New Testament as truthfully as he could. The project resulted in 350 gouaches that were shown for the first time in Paris in 1894. All gouaches, including this one, are now in possession of the Brooklyn Museum.

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If I were to ask you to think of a single symbol that represents the Christian faith, what would it be? Most likely all of us would select the Cross/Crucifix as a symbol for Christianity and it has been this way for quite a long time.

On maps and road signage we often find that Christian worship centres/churches are indicated by the use of a cross. Many Christians throughout the world wear a cross as a symbol of their devotion to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A cross even forms part of the liturgical elements for our own parish.

But this was not always the case. In Roman times the cross would not have been found near any religion, nobody would wear a piece of jewellery representing a cross and it would most certainly not have been a liturgical element. The cross was a symbol of ruthless Roman power. It was such a cruel symbol that most people would have found it repulsive.

Instead of the cross, the early church identified themselves by a symbol fo a fish. Because the greek word for fish is ΙΧΘΥΣ (ichthys) and formed an acronym for the words Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.

It is only in the 4th Century AD, after the use of the cross as a form of punishment had been abolished, that the symbol for Christianity changed and followers of Christ started to publicly use the cross.

In terms of theology though, the cross has always been central to our understanding of God’s act of salvation. It has been a symbol that used a the reference to a wooden cross to remind us of so much more.

We simply can not bring to memory the cross on which our Lord had died, without also bringing to mind the depth of doctrine and theology of it’s background: from the immortal Son who, out of free and infinite grace, “left his Father’s throne above,” to glorified believers “clothed in righteousness divine” and approaching “th’eternal throne.” as in the Hymn of Charles Wesley that we heard just a moment ago. We can’t see the cross and not be reminded of His Love, His resurrection or His continued presence.

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When Paul says he boasts only “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14), he is using one thing (a large, wooden object used for executions) to refer to something else: the death of Jesus and its effect in reconciling us to God. Similarly, when Christians sing songs about the wooden object itself, we are well aware that what we cherish is not just “the old rugged cross” as such, but the Son of God who used that cross in his work of seeking and saving. The Cross means Christ crucified. All of this flashes across the Christian mind in an instant when the Cross is mentioned.

Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University

10 April, 2020

In this way, the cross of Jesus Christ is the central symbol of Easter Friday. The cross of Jesus is also the centre symbol of our Theology - the image of Hope.

What I hope to leave with you on this Easter Friday is that the cross of our Lord Jesus, how cruel and sorrowful that day might have been, is also more than the sorrow; it is a symbol portraying not just what happened to Jesus at the hands of the religious leaders and Roman governors, but also a symbol pointing to what God have done for the world.

It is not merely our reflection upon a cross, but also represents God’s reflection on the world. In this way, Perhaps Tissot was able to capture something thereof in his painting.

In our passage this morning, we find a man named Simon. He was called upon to bear the cross of Jesus and carry it when Jesus had already become too weak to do so himself. Why do you think the passage includes this random figure? Why is it important that we take note of Simon on Easter Friday?

Perhaps his act of carrying the cross of Jesus was a prophetic act in that it was pointing towards each of us (the Church) as we carry the cross of Jesus this Easter Friday. Like Simon, we carry this cross not to be crucified on, not to be burdened down by, but to be a symbol of Hope, of Love, of Faith.

May the Cross of Jesus be for us like a pebble dropped into the pond of our lives. Where the incredible news that Jesus died for us fans out and impacts every portion of our world, may nothing be untouched by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as we celebrate Easter.

I end off today with a quote from Fred Sanders: “It is the death of Christ that enables us to die to ourselves. It is his death that justifies us before God’s perfect righteousness, that sets us free, that gives us courage to face persecution. The community centred on the Cross is a great company of people reconciled to God and each other through the Cross. People centred on the Cross know how to die, learn how to live, and love like they’ve been forever changed by the love they’ve received.”

Amen!

Response & Offering Prayer for the people by Rae Simpson

Loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today thankful that in love, you have done so much for us. Thank you for the Cross.

We remember those who have contracted Covid 19 and pray for their recovery.

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As we live in our bubbles keep us aware of each other, specially those who are alone, specially Daphne Hall, Elizabeth Mackenzie, Hugh Wells and others in rest home situations. We pray for families with children who missing school and contact with their friends and for those whose elective surgery has been delayed. We are concerned for business people whose livelihoods are threatened at this time of lockdown. We pray for financial relief and relief from stress .

Lord as the majority accept and live within the confines of lockdown, we pray for those who are unaware or break the rules. Make them aware and thoughtful of the the needs of others. We thank you for our essential workers. Keep our shoppers respectful we pray.

In this stressful time, we thank you for the strong lead Jacinda, our prime minister is taking and we pray for our government as decisions are made and our police as they enforce the law.

Be with us as we move through the lockdown situation to the return of normality.

We pray for the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu in the light of Cyclone Harold adding a double blow to the nation, as they minister to their people and as they assist with leading their nation through this time. We think especially of Pastor Allen Nafuki, General Secretary of the PCV, who is such a key leader both in the church and in their country.

This is our prayer in Jesus precious saving name we pray,

amen.

Offering At this time of lockdown, giving our offerings it is not as easy as sending our plates around. We acknowledge though, that giving our tithes and offerings, and our contributions to our food bank remain an integral part of our worship. It is these that continue to enable our ministry.

Our offering is also an act of prayer and worship. May we bring before our God the many people effected by the Lockdown, some who have lost their jobs and others who are not guaranteed an income when it all comes to and end. In desperate times such as these, let our prayers be unmistakably interwoven with our offering.

May God have mercy on our world.

Hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9eCUqz_x5A)

Again, singing might be strange. This is a version of the well known hymn “To God be the Glory” as performed in the Royal Albert Hall. Sing, speak or pray these words as you spend some time responding to what the Word of God and the Holy Spirit has been awakening in your heart.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9eCUqz_x5A

10 April, 2020

When I survey the wondrous cross Oh which the Prince of glory died My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood See from his dead, his hands,

His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Where the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small,

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my fire, my all.

Benediction (1 Peter 2, Good Friday) By his stripes we are healed.

By his wounds, we are made whole.

Go in the name of Jesus Christ

and live in the salvation made possible

by the Goodness of this Friday.

Boldly carry His cross

And may it be that together with Christ

All of us can be symbol of Hope!

Amen.

Closing Consider writing a note to a neighbour or even better, pick up the phone and call someone from our Parish Directory. Let us stay connected.

Please blow out your candle and turn on the sound on your phone and other devices.

Now enjoy the drink and the food that you prepared before hand. Share freely what you think, feel and experienced throughout this liturgy.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Rev. Werner Schroeder

Hibiscus Coast Presbyterian Church.

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IntroductionApproach and CallOpening wordsSilence and IntentionLighting a CandleCall to Worship 1 (Psalm 22)CommunionCall to Worship 2 (John 18, 19)Prayer (Psalm 8, Hebrews 10, Good Friday)Song: And can it be that I should gainSinging on your own might be strange to you, or perhaps you are someone who embraces the reverb of your kitchen to sing loud and often. In this time, be comfortable and worship our God. You may use other songs, you may choose to simply recite the words of this hymn.Words of Assurance (Hebrews 10)Scripture ReadingMessage from our ministerResponse & OfferingPrayer for the peopleby Rae SimpsonOfferingHymn: When I survey the wondrous crossBenedictionClosing