April 18, 2014 GOOD FRIDAY "ON THE MARGINS" From Voices For Good Friday by Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER ***
Loving and Merciful God, timidly we enter this sanctuary, to remember the sacrifice and ordeal of our beloved savior. We confess that had we been with his followers in the Garden of Gethsemane, we too would have felt lost, bereft and ashamed, not knowing what to do or where to turn. We have been taught by the lamb to trust in you. We are humbled by his faith and will believe that, through it all, you did not abandon your child of promise, the beloved One. Our Abba, Father, in heaven, holy, holy, holy is your name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as surely as it is in heaven. Give us this day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, empowering us, by your gracious forgiveness, to forgive those who have sinned against us. Guide us in right paths. Lead us away from temptation and keep us from evil, O Lord; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PREPARING FOR THE OFFERING
Matthew tells a unique story of Judas Iscariot publicly repenting of his betrayal of Jesus. Unfortunately, Judas reports his regrets and his desire to give back the money he was paid, to those who have no interest. In an effort to wash his hands of it all, he throws the thirty pieces of silver clattering onto the stone floor of the temple. Matthew tells us that the chief priests took the “blood money” and purchased the potter’s field, the place where clay was extracted from the ground for making pots. Not useful for farming or agriculture, it became a common grave for those people who existed on the margins of Judaism, who could not be buried in an orthodox cemetery. Those who are marginalized by our society have much to teach us. Our goal, as the body of Christ must be to include, in the life of the church, all those on the margins.
UNISON OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, we offer these gifts to your church with humble hearts. Pour out your blessing upon them. Make them a powerful witness to Christ’s love of all people in every corner of the world. Show us the better way to carry on the work of your Christ today to your honor and glory. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.