April 5th, 2020
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE
|
Rev. Se Hyoung Lee
Senior Pastor, Chungong English Ministry | ||
Dear Chungdong Family,
Welcome to our online worship service. Thank you for joining us. Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the spread of the COVID-19, Chungdong First Methodist Church, English Ministry will continue worshiping online until further notice.
We hope and pray that things will get back to normal soon. In the meantime, please join us with your family and friends for the online worship. You can follow the liturgy here along with the video sermon. Click on the links provided for hymns. The order of service has been simplified to include a prayer and two hymns.
We will keep you updated with regards to services during the following weeks.
Please remember to pray for the country, the leaders and those affected by this crisis.
This week’s preacher is Rev. Se Hyoung Lee.
HOME WORSHIP
Call to Worship
As our call to worship today, let’s confess out loud the following words:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
Song of Praise
Singing is an ancient Christian tradition. No virus or any other global crisis can keep God’s people from raising our voices in praise. By singing from home, we are engaging in an act of resistance, telling the world that no matter it throws at us we will be faithful to the God who casts out fear.
All Glory Laud and Honor
Welcome to our online worship service. Thank you for joining us. Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the spread of the COVID-19, Chungdong First Methodist Church, English Ministry will continue worshiping online until further notice.
We hope and pray that things will get back to normal soon. In the meantime, please join us with your family and friends for the online worship. You can follow the liturgy here along with the video sermon. Click on the links provided for hymns. The order of service has been simplified to include a prayer and two hymns.
We will keep you updated with regards to services during the following weeks.
Please remember to pray for the country, the leaders and those affected by this crisis.
This week’s preacher is Rev. Se Hyoung Lee.
HOME WORSHIP
Call to Worship
As our call to worship today, let’s confess out loud the following words:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
Song of Praise
Singing is an ancient Christian tradition. No virus or any other global crisis can keep God’s people from raising our voices in praise. By singing from home, we are engaging in an act of resistance, telling the world that no matter it throws at us we will be faithful to the God who casts out fear.
All Glory Laud and Honor
Opening prayer
Prayer of God’s People during COVID-19
by Rev. Larry Doornbos
God who stills the waters and quiets the storm,
God who lets not a hair of our heads fall without your knowledge,
God who brings sight to the blind and words to quieted tongues,
God who created the earth and all that is in it,
God who teaches the foolish and strengthens the wise,
God who promises a coming day
when there will be no more mourning or crying or pain,
when death will pass away,
when all things will be made new:
Bring healing to our world, to our neighbors, and to us.
Bring wisdom so we may honor you and bring glory to you in these days of plague.
Bring strength so we may rejoice in your love.
Bring patience that is grounded in actively living in your ways.
Bring hope that is rooted in your good news of shalom.
Bring grace and calm to us so we may bring grace and calm to others.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Confession of Faith
We believe in God, the Creator of all that we see and all that we do not see.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God becomes flesh; in death the Forgiver of sinners, in rising the Healer of the broken.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God within us, Comforter, Strengthener and Friend.
Amen
Prayer for illumination:
Prepare our hearts, o Lord, to accept your word. Silence in us any voice but your own; that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16
Isaiah 50:4–9 (NIRV)
4 The LORD and King has taught me what to say.
He has taught me how to help those who are tired.
He wakes me up every morning.
He makes me want to listen like a good student.
5 The LORD and King has unplugged my ears.
I’ve always obeyed him.
I haven’t turned away from him.
6 I let my enemies beat me on my bare back.
I let them pull the hair out of my beard.
I didn’t turn my face away
when they made fun of me and spit on me.
7 The LORD and King helps me.
He won’t let me be dishonored.
So I’ve made up my mind to keep on serving him.
I know he won’t let me be put to shame.
8 He is near. He will prove I haven’t done anything wrong.
So who will bring charges against me?
Let’s face each other in court!
Who can bring charges against me?
Let him come and face me!
9 The LORD and King helps me.
So who will judge me?
My enemies will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.
They will disappear.
These are the Words of Life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:9-16 (NIRV)
9 LORD, have mercy on me. I’m in deep trouble.
I’m so sad I can hardly see.
My whole body grows weak with sadness.
10 Pain has taken over my life.
My years are spent in groaning.
I have no strength because I’m hurting so much.
My body is getting weaker and weaker.
11 My neighbors make fun of me
because I have so many enemies.
My closest friends are afraid of me.
People who see me on the street run away from me.
12 No one remembers me. I might as well be dead.
I have become like broken pottery.
13 I hear many people whispering,
“There is terror all around him!”
Many have joined together against me.
They plan to kill me.
14 But I trust in you, LORD.
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My whole life is in your hands.
Save me from the hands of my enemies.
Save me from those who are chasing me.
16 May you look on me with favor.
Save me because your love is faithful.
This is the Psalm of Life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 27:11-54 (NIRV)
Jesus Is Brought to Pilate.
11 Jesus was standing in front of the governor. The governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes. You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the charges they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge. The governor was really amazed. 15 It was the governor’s practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to set free? Jesus Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 Pilate knew that the leaders wanted to get their own way. He knew this was why they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him a message. It said, “Don’t have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What wrong has he done?” asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” 24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them. “I am not guilty of this man’s death,” he said. “You are accountable for that!” 25 All the people answered, “Put the blame for his death on us and our children!” 26 Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.
The Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus
27 The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which was called the Praetorium. All the rest of the soldiers gathered around him. 28 They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him. 29 Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. Then they fell on their knees in front of him and made fun of him. “We honor you, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him. They hit him on the head with the stick again and again. 31 After they had made fun of him, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.
Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross
32 On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull. 34 There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had nailed him to the cross, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 They sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. 38 Two rebels against Rome were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left. 39 Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads 40 and said, “So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him. 42 “He saved others,” they said. “But he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He’s the one who said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the rebels who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.
Jesus Dies
45 From noon until three o’clock, the whole land was covered with darkness. 46 About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Psalm 22:1) 47 Some of those standing there heard Jesus cry out. They said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” 48 Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died. 51 At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split. 52 Tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs. After Jesus was raised from the dead, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people. 54 The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, “He was surely the Son of God!”
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
New Testament Reading
Philippians 2:5-11 (NIRV)
5 As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did. 6 In his very nature he was God. Jesus was equal with God. But Jesus didn’t take advantage of that fact. 7 Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings. 8 He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross! 9 So God lifted him up to the highest place. God gave him the name that is above every name. 10 When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone will kneel down to worship him. Everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will kneel down to worship him. 11 Everyone’s mouth will say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And God the Father will receive the glory.
This is the Word of Life.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
The Crucified God
Rev. Se Hyoung Lee
Prayer of God’s People during COVID-19
by Rev. Larry Doornbos
God who stills the waters and quiets the storm,
God who lets not a hair of our heads fall without your knowledge,
God who brings sight to the blind and words to quieted tongues,
God who created the earth and all that is in it,
God who teaches the foolish and strengthens the wise,
God who promises a coming day
when there will be no more mourning or crying or pain,
when death will pass away,
when all things will be made new:
Bring healing to our world, to our neighbors, and to us.
Bring wisdom so we may honor you and bring glory to you in these days of plague.
Bring strength so we may rejoice in your love.
Bring patience that is grounded in actively living in your ways.
Bring hope that is rooted in your good news of shalom.
Bring grace and calm to us so we may bring grace and calm to others.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Confession of Faith
We believe in God, the Creator of all that we see and all that we do not see.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God becomes flesh; in death the Forgiver of sinners, in rising the Healer of the broken.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God within us, Comforter, Strengthener and Friend.
Amen
Prayer for illumination:
Prepare our hearts, o Lord, to accept your word. Silence in us any voice but your own; that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16
Isaiah 50:4–9 (NIRV)
4 The LORD and King has taught me what to say.
He has taught me how to help those who are tired.
He wakes me up every morning.
He makes me want to listen like a good student.
5 The LORD and King has unplugged my ears.
I’ve always obeyed him.
I haven’t turned away from him.
6 I let my enemies beat me on my bare back.
I let them pull the hair out of my beard.
I didn’t turn my face away
when they made fun of me and spit on me.
7 The LORD and King helps me.
He won’t let me be dishonored.
So I’ve made up my mind to keep on serving him.
I know he won’t let me be put to shame.
8 He is near. He will prove I haven’t done anything wrong.
So who will bring charges against me?
Let’s face each other in court!
Who can bring charges against me?
Let him come and face me!
9 The LORD and King helps me.
So who will judge me?
My enemies will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.
They will disappear.
These are the Words of Life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:9-16 (NIRV)
9 LORD, have mercy on me. I’m in deep trouble.
I’m so sad I can hardly see.
My whole body grows weak with sadness.
10 Pain has taken over my life.
My years are spent in groaning.
I have no strength because I’m hurting so much.
My body is getting weaker and weaker.
11 My neighbors make fun of me
because I have so many enemies.
My closest friends are afraid of me.
People who see me on the street run away from me.
12 No one remembers me. I might as well be dead.
I have become like broken pottery.
13 I hear many people whispering,
“There is terror all around him!”
Many have joined together against me.
They plan to kill me.
14 But I trust in you, LORD.
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My whole life is in your hands.
Save me from the hands of my enemies.
Save me from those who are chasing me.
16 May you look on me with favor.
Save me because your love is faithful.
This is the Psalm of Life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 27:11-54 (NIRV)
Jesus Is Brought to Pilate.
11 Jesus was standing in front of the governor. The governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes. You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the charges they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge. The governor was really amazed. 15 It was the governor’s practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to set free? Jesus Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 Pilate knew that the leaders wanted to get their own way. He knew this was why they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him a message. It said, “Don’t have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What wrong has he done?” asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” 24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them. “I am not guilty of this man’s death,” he said. “You are accountable for that!” 25 All the people answered, “Put the blame for his death on us and our children!” 26 Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.
The Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus
27 The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which was called the Praetorium. All the rest of the soldiers gathered around him. 28 They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him. 29 Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. Then they fell on their knees in front of him and made fun of him. “We honor you, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him. They hit him on the head with the stick again and again. 31 After they had made fun of him, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.
Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross
32 On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull. 34 There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had nailed him to the cross, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 They sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. 38 Two rebels against Rome were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left. 39 Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads 40 and said, “So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him. 42 “He saved others,” they said. “But he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He’s the one who said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the rebels who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.
Jesus Dies
45 From noon until three o’clock, the whole land was covered with darkness. 46 About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Psalm 22:1) 47 Some of those standing there heard Jesus cry out. They said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” 48 Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died. 51 At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split. 52 Tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs. After Jesus was raised from the dead, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people. 54 The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, “He was surely the Son of God!”
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
New Testament Reading
Philippians 2:5-11 (NIRV)
5 As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did. 6 In his very nature he was God. Jesus was equal with God. But Jesus didn’t take advantage of that fact. 7 Instead, he made himself nothing. He did this by taking on the nature of a servant. He was made just like human beings. 8 He appeared as a man. He was humble and obeyed God completely. He did this even though it led to his death. Even worse, he died on a cross! 9 So God lifted him up to the highest place. God gave him the name that is above every name. 10 When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone will kneel down to worship him. Everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will kneel down to worship him. 11 Everyone’s mouth will say that Jesus Christ is Lord. And God the Father will receive the glory.
This is the Word of Life.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
The Crucified God
Rev. Se Hyoung Lee
Isaiah 50:4-9a;
Psalm 31:9-16;
Philippians 2:5-11;
Matthew 27:11-54
135 years ago, the Reverend Henry G. Appenzeller stepped foot on Korean soil for the first time. If it wasn’t for the current Coronavirus situation, we would all be singing Korean hymns at the “Sing a New Song” praise festival and worship service to commemorate the 135th anniversary of Korean missions. However, COVID19 has totally changed our lives and the daily way we go about things. The entire world has currently placed a stop on all kinds of movement between countries, and any kind of gathering is strictly prohibited. Students are taking classes from home, and congregation members are scattered in their respective homes attending church via online services. May the comforting touch of the Lord be upon all of those suffering from COVID19, as well as those that have already lost loved ones to the virus as well. May the Lord’s power be present among all doctors and nurses, volunteers and leaders striving to defeat the COVID19 in the front lines. May the Lord’ blessing be with all of those who’ve lost their jobs, have seen loss in their businesses, have suffered the loss of fellowship and studies due to being trapped indoors, to all of us in these dire and uncertain times, may the Lord be a light of hope for us.
Chungdong’s English Ministry has also experienced several big changes in its ministry calendar due to the Coronavirus. During last week’s video conference with the pastors, we made the decision to cancel the youth vision trip to Vladivostok, as well as reducing the summer vacation bible camp to not be held outdoors but at church over the course of only two Saturdays. Until the church says otherwise, we will continue to conduct our services online.
Today is both Palm Sunday and Passion Week. On the eve of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Lord ate his Last Supper with his disciples. The Lord raised the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples while saying, “Take, eat. This is my body.” He also raised the cup, gave thanks, then gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood for the covenant, which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
After finishing the meal, Jesus and his disciples climbed up Gethsemane to pray, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” In that time, Judas betrayed Jesus by turning him over to the High Priest Caiaphas. The high priest declared “he has blasphemed” and handed him over to Pontius Pilate.
Pilate knew that Jesus had been handed over to him due to the jealousy of the people. Thus he asked the gathered crowd, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” The people cried out in unison, “Let him be crucified!” The people who could defend or excuse Jesus are nowhere to be seen as he stands alone before the court of Pilate ready to take on the sins of humanity. The Lord is speechless. The crowds continue to shout all the more, “Let him be crucified!” Seeing that a riot might form, Pilate washed his hands with water before the crowd as he “handed him over to be crucified.”
The soldiers’ whips had tips with lead portions which would tear into Jesus’ flesh upon each lash. After the Passover meal, Jesus hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep, hadn’t eaten anything since and was simply exhausted. Pilate’s soldiers stripped Jesus, put a scarlet robe on him, placed a crown of twisted thorns on his head, made him hold a reed in his right hand and mocked him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took his reed and struck his head.
Bearing the cross, Jesus fell down many times, which the soldiers responded each time with their vicious whips. As the sun begin to rise, Jesus felt parched as he felt his consciousness slowly slip away. He was flogged due to our sins. He was struck down so that we would be healed. As Jesus continued to fall over, the soldiers grabbed a bystander in the crowd from Cyrene named Simon to carry the cross in his place. Around noon they arrived at Golgotha (Place of a Skull). The soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, to which he refused. The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross. The large nails ripped through his flesh, his nerves and blood vessels exploding, bones breaking as they dug into the wood underneath. Unimaginable pain, pain that would make anyone faint is felt through all corners of Jesus’ body. The tree stands for the mother. Jesus nailed to the cross is embraced by the mother. Burdened from carrying the entire sins of humanity, Jesus is embraced by the bosom of his mother Mary, who stands at the foot of the cross with the weight of the universe.
The cross is raised to where the temple in Jerusalem can be seen afar. The women weep out loud. Yet the Lord speaks to them. “Daughters, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” Flesh torn from the nails, body growing heavier and sagging, head drenched in blood from the thorny crown. And yet, beneath the cross of the one who was giving up his life for the sin of humanity were soldiers who were throwing dice to divide up the clothes Jesus’ own mother had sewn for him. Oh, foolish soldiers. The Lord’s suffering continues as the notice nailed to the top of cross declares, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
One of the bandits nailed to the cross next to him mock Jesus along with the crowd with “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” There is no end to the insults towards Christ. Oh, meticulous sin. Oh, the persistent jealousy of humanity. The people literally insult and mock Jesus to his death. As Jesus is nailed to the cross, all the earth is saddened by the impending death and darkness covers the place. Around three o’clock, the Lord cries out towards the heavens. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Ah… My Father God! How could you abandon your own son? The son abandoned by his father, the father who abandoned his son. As the time of God’s absences closes in, the entire earth is blanketed in the dark. The people are still there, joking that they should wait to see if Elijah will come and save Jesus. Oh! The brutality of outrageous sin! “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Our Lord breathed his last breath. Ah. The Lord has left this world. Ah. The Lord has passed away.
The Lord, who was in essence the same as God, did not attempt to become an equal being to God, but rather laid down all things entitled to him, taking on the role of the slave and came amongst us as a human being. Not to be served, but to serve others he came and died, nailed to the cross.
Even while receiving so many insults, the Lord did not respond but held it in. Like a lamb led to slaughter, like a mother sheep standing still as they shear her wool, he held his tongue. Even after an unfair trial and being wrongfully sentenced, no one came to defend or rescue or worry for his sake. He took on the crimes of our sins and was sentenced to death. He was sentenced alongside criminals, and was nailed to the cross with the unrighteous. All of us had nothing to say before the Lord’s crucifixion. For we kneeled over, trembling in fear at the foot of the Lord’s cross.
Yahweh God!
Have mercy on us. We are in agony.
As we look upon the death of the Lord, we cried ourselves to exhaustion, our eyes blurry and our throats parched.
In so much pain we just might breathe our last.
No longer can we endure as each bones seems to rust away.
Yahweh God!
Due to my sins, our blameless Lord Jesus
Became the people’s target for mockery, their jealousy and was seen as an eyesore.
The Lord’s death is due to my sins.
It’s because of my persistent jealousy.
It’s because of my worthless self.
Oh! Lord, forgive us for our sins.
Oh! Yahweh God.
The centurion’s confession resonates from our hearts.
“Truly, this was the Son of God.”
Oh! Lord. Our Lord who was killed today.
My Lord. You are my Savior and my God.
Here I lay my sin, my faults, my flaws at the cross of the Lord.
I lay down my being.
Oh! Lord! Save us from the hands of the evil ones!
Oh! Lord! Embrace us as the true children of our Lord!
The unfailing love of the Lord,
A love that transcends all of our thoughts.
We give ourselves up to the immeasurable love of our Lord.
We give ourselves into the Lord’s embrace.
Receive us.
Oh! Lord.
Oh! Lord of the Cross!
Oh! Lord of Suffering!
Oh! Lord of Salvation!
Oh! The Crucified God. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Psalm 31:9-16;
Philippians 2:5-11;
Matthew 27:11-54
135 years ago, the Reverend Henry G. Appenzeller stepped foot on Korean soil for the first time. If it wasn’t for the current Coronavirus situation, we would all be singing Korean hymns at the “Sing a New Song” praise festival and worship service to commemorate the 135th anniversary of Korean missions. However, COVID19 has totally changed our lives and the daily way we go about things. The entire world has currently placed a stop on all kinds of movement between countries, and any kind of gathering is strictly prohibited. Students are taking classes from home, and congregation members are scattered in their respective homes attending church via online services. May the comforting touch of the Lord be upon all of those suffering from COVID19, as well as those that have already lost loved ones to the virus as well. May the Lord’s power be present among all doctors and nurses, volunteers and leaders striving to defeat the COVID19 in the front lines. May the Lord’ blessing be with all of those who’ve lost their jobs, have seen loss in their businesses, have suffered the loss of fellowship and studies due to being trapped indoors, to all of us in these dire and uncertain times, may the Lord be a light of hope for us.
Chungdong’s English Ministry has also experienced several big changes in its ministry calendar due to the Coronavirus. During last week’s video conference with the pastors, we made the decision to cancel the youth vision trip to Vladivostok, as well as reducing the summer vacation bible camp to not be held outdoors but at church over the course of only two Saturdays. Until the church says otherwise, we will continue to conduct our services online.
Today is both Palm Sunday and Passion Week. On the eve of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Lord ate his Last Supper with his disciples. The Lord raised the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples while saying, “Take, eat. This is my body.” He also raised the cup, gave thanks, then gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood for the covenant, which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
After finishing the meal, Jesus and his disciples climbed up Gethsemane to pray, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” In that time, Judas betrayed Jesus by turning him over to the High Priest Caiaphas. The high priest declared “he has blasphemed” and handed him over to Pontius Pilate.
Pilate knew that Jesus had been handed over to him due to the jealousy of the people. Thus he asked the gathered crowd, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” The people cried out in unison, “Let him be crucified!” The people who could defend or excuse Jesus are nowhere to be seen as he stands alone before the court of Pilate ready to take on the sins of humanity. The Lord is speechless. The crowds continue to shout all the more, “Let him be crucified!” Seeing that a riot might form, Pilate washed his hands with water before the crowd as he “handed him over to be crucified.”
The soldiers’ whips had tips with lead portions which would tear into Jesus’ flesh upon each lash. After the Passover meal, Jesus hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep, hadn’t eaten anything since and was simply exhausted. Pilate’s soldiers stripped Jesus, put a scarlet robe on him, placed a crown of twisted thorns on his head, made him hold a reed in his right hand and mocked him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on him, took his reed and struck his head.
Bearing the cross, Jesus fell down many times, which the soldiers responded each time with their vicious whips. As the sun begin to rise, Jesus felt parched as he felt his consciousness slowly slip away. He was flogged due to our sins. He was struck down so that we would be healed. As Jesus continued to fall over, the soldiers grabbed a bystander in the crowd from Cyrene named Simon to carry the cross in his place. Around noon they arrived at Golgotha (Place of a Skull). The soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, to which he refused. The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross. The large nails ripped through his flesh, his nerves and blood vessels exploding, bones breaking as they dug into the wood underneath. Unimaginable pain, pain that would make anyone faint is felt through all corners of Jesus’ body. The tree stands for the mother. Jesus nailed to the cross is embraced by the mother. Burdened from carrying the entire sins of humanity, Jesus is embraced by the bosom of his mother Mary, who stands at the foot of the cross with the weight of the universe.
The cross is raised to where the temple in Jerusalem can be seen afar. The women weep out loud. Yet the Lord speaks to them. “Daughters, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.” Flesh torn from the nails, body growing heavier and sagging, head drenched in blood from the thorny crown. And yet, beneath the cross of the one who was giving up his life for the sin of humanity were soldiers who were throwing dice to divide up the clothes Jesus’ own mother had sewn for him. Oh, foolish soldiers. The Lord’s suffering continues as the notice nailed to the top of cross declares, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
One of the bandits nailed to the cross next to him mock Jesus along with the crowd with “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” There is no end to the insults towards Christ. Oh, meticulous sin. Oh, the persistent jealousy of humanity. The people literally insult and mock Jesus to his death. As Jesus is nailed to the cross, all the earth is saddened by the impending death and darkness covers the place. Around three o’clock, the Lord cries out towards the heavens. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Ah… My Father God! How could you abandon your own son? The son abandoned by his father, the father who abandoned his son. As the time of God’s absences closes in, the entire earth is blanketed in the dark. The people are still there, joking that they should wait to see if Elijah will come and save Jesus. Oh! The brutality of outrageous sin! “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Our Lord breathed his last breath. Ah. The Lord has left this world. Ah. The Lord has passed away.
The Lord, who was in essence the same as God, did not attempt to become an equal being to God, but rather laid down all things entitled to him, taking on the role of the slave and came amongst us as a human being. Not to be served, but to serve others he came and died, nailed to the cross.
Even while receiving so many insults, the Lord did not respond but held it in. Like a lamb led to slaughter, like a mother sheep standing still as they shear her wool, he held his tongue. Even after an unfair trial and being wrongfully sentenced, no one came to defend or rescue or worry for his sake. He took on the crimes of our sins and was sentenced to death. He was sentenced alongside criminals, and was nailed to the cross with the unrighteous. All of us had nothing to say before the Lord’s crucifixion. For we kneeled over, trembling in fear at the foot of the Lord’s cross.
Yahweh God!
Have mercy on us. We are in agony.
As we look upon the death of the Lord, we cried ourselves to exhaustion, our eyes blurry and our throats parched.
In so much pain we just might breathe our last.
No longer can we endure as each bones seems to rust away.
Yahweh God!
Due to my sins, our blameless Lord Jesus
Became the people’s target for mockery, their jealousy and was seen as an eyesore.
The Lord’s death is due to my sins.
It’s because of my persistent jealousy.
It’s because of my worthless self.
Oh! Lord, forgive us for our sins.
Oh! Yahweh God.
The centurion’s confession resonates from our hearts.
“Truly, this was the Son of God.”
Oh! Lord. Our Lord who was killed today.
My Lord. You are my Savior and my God.
Here I lay my sin, my faults, my flaws at the cross of the Lord.
I lay down my being.
Oh! Lord! Save us from the hands of the evil ones!
Oh! Lord! Embrace us as the true children of our Lord!
The unfailing love of the Lord,
A love that transcends all of our thoughts.
We give ourselves up to the immeasurable love of our Lord.
We give ourselves into the Lord’s embrace.
Receive us.
Oh! Lord.
Oh! Lord of the Cross!
Oh! Lord of Suffering!
Oh! Lord of Salvation!
Oh! The Crucified God. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN
Stay with Me, Watch and Pray
Stay with Me, Watch and Pray
BENEDICTION
God go before you to lead you,
God go behind you to protect you,
God go beneath you to support you,
God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid.
May the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you.
Do not be afraid.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Amen
God go behind you to protect you,
God go beneath you to support you,
God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid.
May the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you.
Do not be afraid.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Amen
