The writer of Hebrews teaches us that when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. The author declares that if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer could actually set someone apart and sanctify them for the purification of the flesh, how much more, then, will Christ’s blood purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living and true God?

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God and our Creator, who received the sacrifice of your Son on our behalf to redeem us from our sins, thank you for your redemption and grace. Through your Son’s offering of himself you have washed and redeemed us and given us the right to receive the promised eternal inheritance reserved for all who cling to your Son in faith. We honor you for your grace, thank you for our High Priest, and for the blood that he shed for the forgiveness of our sins. In his name we offer these thanks, amen.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Te Deum Laudamus 
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Benediction 
Lord Jesus, who stands before God as both our High Priest and Paschal Sacrifice, thank you for shedding your blood on the cross, for making payment for our sin and washing us clean from the guilt which has plagued us our whole lives long. Grant us humility to remember that it is through your blood alone that we have entrance into the Father’s presence, and can be forgiven for our transgression of your law and your will. In your name we pray, amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Weekly Reflection on the Priesthood of All Believers
Rather than priests offering slaughtered animals on an altar, believers are to offer themselves – the entirety of their being – to God as a sacrifice. Believers are both priests and sacrificial victims, just as Christ is the self-sacrificing high priest.

~ Uche Anizor and Hank Voss. Representing Christ.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016. p. 48-49.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord, Luke 19.28-40

Book Reading
Fish and Conant, Every Member Evangelism for Today

Special Church Year Services
Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Good Friday: Friday, April 15, 2022
Holy Saturday: Saturday, April 16, 2022