Preparing Our Hearts for Easter

This morning service is going to look and feel a little different than the typical service.

I was thinking about what to do just to kind of help us prepare for Resurrection Sunday,

which is already next Sunday.

And today's officially Palm Sunday.

And we actually just talked about and spent some time focusing on the triumphal entry

and what happened on Palm Sunday a couple weeks back as we've been working through the Gospel of John.

And so what kind of came to my heart and to my mind was we don't typically do a Good Friday service here at our church.

But in order to really celebrate Jesus rising from the dead,

I think we first need to take some time to reflect on how he came to die and why.

And so that'll be the focus of our service this morning.

There'll be a fair bit more singing and we'll have a fair bit of scripture reading

and it'll kind of all be mixed throughout.

So I'll invite you to stand whenever we sing.

Just feel free to stand on up and join in the singing.

Or if you'd rather just feel like you want to be quiet and just sit and sing quietly or just listen,

you're welcome to do that as well.

This morning's scripture readings will be mostly, I think all of them will be from the Gospel of Luke,

just so that you know where I'm reading from.

We begin at Palm Sunday.

Reading from Luke chapter 19.

Luke 19 · chapter mention

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them,

Why are you untying that colt?

They replied,

The Lord needs it.

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives,

the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus,

Teacher, rebuke your disciples.

I tell you, he replied,

If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken.

I'm accepted.

You were condemned.

And I'm alive and well.

Your spirit is within me.

Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be

That you, my King, would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true.

And it's my joy to honor you.

In all I do, I honor you.

I'm forgiven.

I'm forgiven.

I'm forgiven.

I'm forgiven.

Because you were forsaken.

I'm forgiven.

I'm forgiven.

I'm forgiven.

You were condemned.

I'm forgiven.

You could Social program.

You were forgiven.

You were Hurts, I have cleaned, and you were in the morning.

Amazing love, how can it be

That you, my King, would die for me

Amazing love, I know it's true

And it's my joy to honor you in all I do

I honor you

You are my King

You are my King

Jesus, you are my King

Jesus, you are my King

Amazing love, how can it be

That you, my King, would die for me

Amazing love, I know it's true

And it's my joy to honor you in all I do

I honor you

In all I do

Let me honor you

Go ahead and be seated

One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts

And proclaiming the good news

The chief priests and the teachers of the law

Together with the elders

Came up to him

Tell us by what authority you are doing these things

They said, who gave you this authority?

He replied

I will also ask you a question

Tell me

John's baptism

Was it from heaven?

Or of human origin?

They discussed it among themselves and said

If we say from heaven

He will ask

Why didn't you believe him?

But if we say of human origin

All the people will stone us

Because they are persuaded

That John was a prophet

So they answered

We don't know where it was from

Jesus said

Neither will I tell you

By what authority I'm doing these things

He went on to tell the people this parable

A man planted a vineyard

Rented it to some farmers

And went away for a long time

At harvest time

He sent a servant to the tenants

So they would give him

Some of the fruit of the vineyard

But the tenants beat him

And sent him away empty-handed

He sent another servant

But that one also they beat

And treated shamefully

And sent away empty-handed

He sent still a third

And they wounded him

And threw him out

Then the owner of the vineyard said

What shall I do?

I will send my son

Whom I love

Perhaps they will respect him

But when the tenants saw him

They talked the matter over

This is the heir, they said

Let's kill him

And the inheritance will be ours

So they threw him

Out of the vineyard

And killed him

What then will the owner

Of the vineyard do to them?

He will come

And kill those tenants

And give the vineyard to others

When the people heard this

They said

May it never be

Jesus looked directly at them

And asked

Then what is the meaning

Of that which is written?

The stone the builders rejected

Has become the cornerstone

The teachers of the law

And the chief priests

Looked for a way

To arrest him immediately

Because they knew

He had spoken this parable

Against them

But they were afraid

Of the people

Each day

Jesus was teaching

At the temple

And each evening

He went out

To spend the night

On the hill

Called the Mount of Olives

And all the people

Came early in the morning

To hear him

At the temple

Come early in the roof

Well

Let him meal

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly trust in Jesus' name

Christ alone, cornerstone

Weak made strong

In the Savior's love through the storm

He is Lord, Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

Through every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone, cornerstone

Weak made strong

In the Savior's love through the storm

He is Lord, Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh, may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

Now the festival of unleavened bread

Called the Passover was approaching

And the chief priests and the teachers of the law

Were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus

For they were afraid of the people

Then Satan entered Judas

Called Iscariot, one of the twelve

And Judas went to the chief priests

And the officers of the temple guard

And discussed with them how he might betray Jesus

They were delighted

And agreed to give him money

He consented and watched

For an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them

When no crowd was present

Then came the day of unleavened bread

On which the Passover lamb

Had to be sacrificed

Jesus sent Peter and John

Saying

Go and make preparations for us

To eat the Passover

Where do you want us to prepare for it?

They asked

He replied

As you enter the city

A man carrying a jar of water

Will meet you

Follow him to the house that he enters

And say to the owner of the house

The teacher asks

Where is the guest room

Where I may eat the Passover

With my disciples?

He will show you a large room

Upstairs

All furnished

Make preparations there

They left

And found things

Just as Jesus had told them

So they prepared the Passover

When the hour came

Jesus and his apostles

Reclined at the table

And he said to them

I have eagerly desired

To eat this Passover with you

Before I suffer

For I tell you

I will not eat it again

Until it finds fulfillment

In the kingdom of God

After taking the cup

He gave thanks

And said

Take this and divide it among you

For I tell you

I will not drink again

From the fruit of the vine

Until the kingdom of God comes

And he took bread

Gave thanks

And broke it

And gave it to them

Saying

This is my body

Given for you

Do this in remembrance of me

In the same way

After the supper

He took the cup

Saying

This cup

Is the new covenant

In my blood

Which is poured out

For you

But the hand of him

Who is going to betray me

Is with mine

On the table

The son of man

Will go

As it has been decreed

But woe

To that man

Who betrays him

They began to question

Among themselves

Which of them

It might be

Who would do this

Your only son

No sin to hide

But you have sent him

From your side

To walk upon

This guilty song

And to become

The Lamb of God

O Lamb of God

Sweet Lamb of God

I love the Holy Lamb of God

O wash me in his precious blood

My Jesus Christ

The Lamb of God

Your gift of love

They crucified

They laughed and scorned him

As he died

The humble king

They named a fraud

And sacrificed the Lamb of God

O Lamb of God

Sweet Lamb of God

I love the Holy Lamb of God

O wash me in his precious blood

Jesus Christ

The Lamb of God

I was so lost

I should have died

But you have brought me

To your side

To be led by

Your staff and rock

And to be called

The Lamb of God

O Lamb of God

Sweet Lamb of God

I love the Holy Lamb of God

I love the Holy Lamb of God

O wash me in his precious blood

My Jesus Christ

The Lamb of God

Jesus went out as usual

To the Mount of Olives

And his disciples followed him

On reaching the place

He said to them

Pray that you will not

Fall into temptation

He withdrew about a stone's throw

Beyond them

Nelt down and prayed

Father

If you are willing

Take this cup from me

Yet not my will

But yours be done

An angel from heaven

Appeared to him

And strengthened him

And being in anguish

He prayed more earnestly

And his sweat was like

Drops of blood

Falling to the ground

When he rose

From prayer

And went back

To the disciples

He found them

Asleep

Exhausted

From sorrow

Why are you sleeping?

He asked them

Get up

And pray

So that you will not

Fall into temptation

While he was still speaking

A crowd

Came up

And the man

Who was called

Judas

One of the twelve

Was leading them

He approached

Jesus

To kiss him

But Jesus

Asked him

Judas

Are you betraying

The son of man

With a kiss?

When Jesus' followers

Saw what was going to happen

They said

Lord

Should we strike

With our swords?

And one of them

Struck the servant

Of the high priest

Cutting off

His right ear

But Jesus answered

No more of this

And he touched

The man's ear

And healed him

Then Jesus said

To the chief priests

The officers

Of the temple guard

And the elders

Who had come for him

Am I leading a rebellion

That you have come

With swords

And clubs?

Every day

I was with you

In the temple courts

And you did not

Lay a hand on me

But this is your hour

When darkness reigns

Then seizing him

They led him away

And took him

Into the house

Of the high priest

Peter followed

At a distance

And when some there

Had kindled a fire

In the middle of the courtyard

And had sat down together

Peter sat down with them

A servant girl

Saw him

Seated there

In the firelight

She looked closely

At him

And said

This man was with him

But he denied it

Woman

I don't know him

He said

A little later

Someone else

Saw him

And said

You also are one of them

Man I am not

Peter replied

About an hour later

Another asserted

Certainly this fellow

Was with him

For he's a Galilean

Peter replied

Man

I don't know

What you're talking about

Just as he was speaking

The rooster crowed

The Lord turned

And looked straight

At Peter

Then Peter remembered

The word the Lord

Had spoken to him

Before the rooster

Crows today

You will disown me

Three times

And he went outside

And wept

Bitterly

You can remain seated

For this one

Man of sorrows

Lamb of God

By his own

Betray

The sin of man

And wrath of God

Has been on Jesus' lay

Oh that rugged cross

My salvation

Where your love poured out

Over me

Now my soul cries out

Hallelujah

Praise and honor

Father unto thee

The men who were guarding Jesus

Began mocking and beating him

They blindfolded him

And demanded

Prophesy

Who hit you?

And they said

Many other insulting things

To him

At daybreak

The council of the elders

Of the people

Both the chief priests

And the teachers of the law

Met together

And Jesus was led before them

If you are the Messiah

They said

Tell us

Jesus answered

If I tell you

You will not believe me

And if I asked you

You would not answer

But from now on

The son of man

Will be seated

At the right hand

Of the mighty God

They all asked him

Are you then

The son of God?

He replied

You say that I am

Then they said

Why do we need

Any more testimony?

We have heard it

From his own lips

Then the whole assembly

Rose

And led him

Off to Pilate

And they began

To accuse him

Saying

We have found this man

Subverting our nation

He opposes payment

Of taxes

To Caesar

And claims to be

Messiah

A king

So Pilate asked Jesus

Are you

The king of the Jews?

You have said so

Jesus replied

Then Pilate announced

To the chief priests

And the crowd

I find no basis

For a charge

Against this man

But they insisted

He stirs up the people

All over Judea

By his teaching

He started in Galilee

And has come all the way here

On hearing this

Pilate asked if the man

Was a Galilean

When he learned

That Jesus was under

Herod's jurisdiction

He sent him to Herod

Who was also in Jerusalem

At that time

When Herod saw Jesus

He was greatly pleased

Because for a long time

He had been wanting

To see him

From what he had heard

About him

He hoped to see him

Perform a sign

Of some sort

He plied him

With many questions

But Jesus gave him

No answer

The chief priests

And the teachers

Of the law

Were standing there

Vehemently accusing him

Then Herod and his soldiers

Ridiculed and mocked him

Dressing him

In an elegant robe

They sent him back

To Pilate

That day

Herod and Pilate

Became friends

Before this

They had been enemies

Pilate called together

The chief priests

The rulers

And the people

And said to them

You brought me

This man

As one

Who was inciting

The people

To rebellion

I have examined

Him in your presence

And have found

No basis

For your charges

Against him

Neither has Herod

For he sent him

Back to us

As you can see

He has done nothing

To deserve death

Therefore

I will punish him

And then release him

But the whole crowd

Shouted

Away with this man

Release Barabbas

To us

Barabbas

Barabbas had been

Thrown into prison

For an insurrection

In the city

And for murder

Wanting to release

Jesus

Pilate appealed

To them again

But they kept shouting

Crucify him

Crucify him

For the third time

He spoke to them

Why

What crime

Has this man committed

I have found in him

No grounds

For the death penalty

Therefore

I will have him

Punished

And then release him

But with loud shouts

They insistently

Demanded that he

Be crucified

And their shouts

Prevailed

So Pilate decided

To grant

Their demand

He released the man

Who had been thrown

Into the prison

For insurrection

And murder

The one they asked for

And surrendered Jesus

To their will

Silent as he stood

Accused

Beaten

Mocked

And scorned

Bowing to the Father's will

He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross

My salvation

Where your love poured out over me

Now my soul cries out

Hallelujah

Praise and honor

Unto thee

Sent of heaven

God's own son

To purchase and redeem

And reconcile

The very ones

Who nailed him

To the tree

Oh that rugged cross

My salvation

Where your love poured out

Over me

Now my soul cries out

Hallelujah

Praise and honor

Unto thee

Praise and honor

Unto thee

As the soldiers

Led Jesus away

They seized Simon

From Cyrene

Who was on his way

In from the country

And put the cross

On him

And made him carry it

Behind Jesus

A large number

Of people

Followed him

Including women

Who mourned

And wailed for him

Jesus turned

And said to them

Daughters of Jerusalem

Do not weep for me

Weep for yourselves

And for your children

For the time will come

When you will say

Blessed are the childless women

The wombs that never bore

And the breasts

That never nursed

Then they will say

To the mountains

Fall on us

And to the hills

Cover us

For if people do these things

When the tree is green

What will happen

When it is dry

Two other men

Both criminals

Were also led out

With him to be executed

When they came to the place

Called the skull

They crucified him there

Along with the criminals

One on his right

The other on his left

Jesus said

Father

Forgive them

For they do not know

What they are doing

And they divided up his clothes

By casting lots

The people stood watching

And the rulers

Even sneered at him

They said

He saved others

Let him save himself

If he is God's Messiah

The chosen one

The soldiers also came up

And mocked him

They offered him

Wine vinegar

And said

If you are the king of the Jews

Save yourself

There was a written notice

Above him

Which read

This is the king

Of the Jews

One of the criminals

Who hung there

Hurled insults at him

Aren't you the Messiah

Save yourself

And us

But the other criminal

Rebuked him

Don't you fear God

He said

Since you are under

The same sentence

We are punished justly

We are getting

What our deeds deserve

But this man

Has done nothing wrong

Then he said

Jesus

Remember me

When you come

Into your kingdom

Jesus answered him

Truly

I tell you

Today

You will be with me

In paradise

I know a place

A wonderful place

Where accused and condemned

Find mercy and grace

Where the wrongs we have done

And the wrongs done to us

Nailed there with him

There on the cross

At the cross

At the cross

He died for our sin

At the cross

He gave us life again

I know a place

A wonderful place

Where accused and condemned

Find mercy and grace

Where the wrongs we have done

Where the wrongs we have done

And the wrongs done to us

Nailed there with him

There on the cross

At the cross

At the cross

He died for our sin

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

You died for our sin

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

At the cross

You died for our sin

At the cross

At the cross

You gave us life again

I know a place

A wonderful place

You may be seated

It was now about noon

And darkness came over the whole land

Until three in the afternoon

For the sun stopped shining

And the curtain of the temple

Was torn in two

Jesus called out with a loud voice

Father

Into your hands

I commit my spirit

When he had said this

He breathed his last

The centurion

Seeing what had happened

Praised God

And said

Surely this was

A righteous man

When all the people

Who had gathered

To witness this sight

Saw what took place

They beat their breasts

And went away

But all those who knew him

Including the women

Who had followed him

From Galilee

Stood at a distance

Watching these things

Now there was a man

Named Joseph

A member of the council

A good and upright man

Who had not consented

To their decision

And action

He came from the Judean town

Of Arimathea

And he himself

Was waiting

For the kingdom of God

Going to Pilate

He asked for Jesus' body

Then he took it down

Wrapped it in linen cloth

And placed it in a tomb

Cut in the rock

One which no one

Had yet been laid

It was preparation day

And the Sabbath

Was about to begin

The women who had come

With Jesus from Galilee

Followed Joseph

And saw the tomb

And how his body

Was laid in it

Then they went home

And prepared spices

And perfumes

But they rested

On the Sabbath

In obedience to the commandment

This is the story of Jesus

How he died

How his body came to be

Laid in that cold

Dark tomb

This is how he died

But just as important

Is why he died

And we've been singing about it

Amazing love

That rugged cross

My salvation

Where the wrongs

We have done

Were nailed there with him

There at the cross

And at the cross

He died for our sin

And at the cross

He gave us life again

We've been singing about it

But just in case

You missed it

Or you're focusing

On other things

In the songs

I want to say it to you again

As plainly as I can

Jesus died for you

Because he loves you

So that your sins

Could be forgiven

Atoned for

And so that you could have

Everlasting life

With God

A restored

Personal

Intimate relationship

With God

Forever

Forever

There are sadly

A lot of churches

Today

Who will hardly

Even mention

The word sin

And I understand

Why

Who wants to be

Reminded about

Our own

Guiltiness

Who wants to be

Reminded about

All the times

In the Bible

All the places

In the Bible

That God says

That we deserve

To be punished

For our sins

Many people

Want to avoid

That topic

If we're honest

Even though

We talk about it

A fair bit

Here in our church

None of us

Wants to talk

About the specifics

Of how we still

Do sin

And blow it

Day after day

And week after week

It's much more

Comfortable

Much easier

To just hide

Those things

Cover that stuff up

That we've

Said

Or thought

Or done

That we know

We shouldn't

Have

It's easier

To just tell

Ourselves

That we're fine

That we're good

Enough

That we're better

Than most

But God has

A different

Evaluation of us

He has a

Different verdict

For us

According to him

We are so

Truly guilty

And so

Deserving of

Punishment

That it required

The awful

Suffering

And death

Of God's

Own perfect

Son

Jesus

To remedy

That

We can try

To minimize

Our sins

We can try

And avoid

Bringing that

Topic up

With other

People

But it doesn't

Really work

We will always

Carry deep

Within us

That nagging

Feeling

Of guilt

Until

Until we

Finally admit

Our sins

And admit

Our need

For Jesus

Death

And for

God's

Forgiveness

Because deep

Down inside

We know

That the things

That we have

Done are wrong

Many of them

I asked a bunch

Of mostly unchurched

Teenagers

On Friday night

What they think

Some of the sins

Are

And they knew

They gave a

Pretty accurate

List

Because every

One of them

Has a conscience

Given to them

By God

But the good

News of Jesus

Is that we

Don't have to

Cover up our

Sins anymore

We don't have

To live with

Guilt

Any longer

God has

Provided the

Remedy

The solution

The way to

Be forgiven

The way for

Our sins

To be atoned

For

And it

Comes to us

Through Jesus

And his

Suffering and

Death

At the cross

By God's

Amazing

Love

And mercy

He provided

Someone who

Would willingly

Take upon

Himself

Our punishment

So that we

Could go free

And be restored

To God

This is the

Why

Of Jesus

Death

At the cross

Which leaves

Us one final

Piece

For each of

Us to consider

What should

I do

In response

To Jesus

Death

At the cross

The answer

To this

Question

For you

Depends on

Where you're

At in your

Relationship

With God

This morning

Perhaps you've

Never honestly

Poured out your

Heart to God

Maybe you've

Never admitted

To God

That you're

A sinful

Person

And need

His forgiveness

If that's you

Then I want

To urge you

To do that

The Bible's

Word for this

Is repent

It means

Praying to God

Admitting

That you've

Sinned against

Him

And that the

Things that

You've

And the things

That you've

Done that are

Wrong

It means

Agreeing with

Him that

Yes

I know

That I deserve

Your punishment

And then at

The end of

All that

Humbly asking

Him to

Forgive you

For your

Sins

Through Jesus

And what he

Did at the

Cross for you

This is one

Way to

Respond

To repent

But perhaps

You've done

That already

Maybe you're

Wondering what

Else do I

Need to do

What else

Does God

Require of

Me

Here's the

Good news

There's only

One other

Thing required

And it's

Not for

You to do

A big

Long list

Of good

Works

To make

Up for

The bad

Ones

Jesus said

It again

And again

The thing

That you

Need to

Do to

Receive

His

Gracious

Gift

Of

Forgiveness

Of

Everlasting

Life

Is simply

This

To believe

In him

I love

The way

The apostle

Paul said

It so

Simply to

The Philippian

Jailer

In the

Book of

Acts

He asked

Paul

What do

I need

To do

To be

Saved

Paul

Looked at

Him and

Said

Believe in

The Lord

Jesus

And you

Will be

Saved

That's it

That's the

Good news

Salvation

Is a free

Gift from

God

And anyone

Can receive

It

Who simply

Believes

In Jesus

In Jesus

Sincerely

From their

Heart

So that's

A second

Way to

Respond

To repent

And to

Believe

Maybe you're

Here this

Morning and

You've done

Both of

These

Things

But in

Your heart

You feel

Maybe a

Measure of

Brokenness

As you

Listen again

To the

Story of

Jesus and

How he

Died

Because you

Know that

Quite recently

You've not

Really been

Living the

Way that

God wants

You to

Perhaps

Living intentionally

Disobeying

The things

That he

Has asked

Us to

Do

What should

We do

In this

Case

The

Bible

Tells us

Very much

Like repent

To simply

Confess

Confess

These wrong

Things to

God again

In my

Favorite

Bible

Verses

1 John

1

9

If we

Confess

Our sins

God is

Faithful

And just

And will

Forgive us

Our sins

And cleanse

Us from

All unrighteousness

He says

My dear

Friends

I write

This so

That you

Will not

Sin

But if

Anybody

Does

Sin

We have

An advocate

With the

Father

Jesus Christ

The righteous

One

He is the

Atoning

Sacrifice

For our

Sins

So even

If you've

Been a

Long time

Christian

The cross

Is still

Your remedy

What Jesus

Did there

Is the thing

That can put

Your heart

At rest

Even as you

Consider the

Sins that you

Committed this

Past week

Finally

A fourth

Response

Which we're

Going to hear

About a little

Bit in these

Next few

Songs

There is

In the

Cross of

Christ

An invitation

Not only

To repent

And believe

And to

Confess

But also

To come

And die

With him

Jesus

Said

If anyone

Would come

After me

That is

To follow

Me

To be

To be

My follower

My disciple

He must

Deny himself

Take up

His cross

And follow

Me

True belief

In Jesus

Develops

And matures

Into an

All-in

Commitment

To Jesus

Total

Devotion

To Jesus

A complete

Allegiance

To Jesus

Just as

Surely

As a

Tomato

Seed

Develops

Into a

Full-blown

Tomato

Plant

In the

Same

Way

A sincere

Faith

In the

Heart

By God's

Working

And power

Develops

Into a

Fully

Committed

Follower

Of Jesus

Such

That more

And more

You'll

Give up

Your life

In order

To follow

Him

You will

Obey

His

Commands

More

And more

And it's

Not a

Burdensome

Thing

It's a

Joyful

Thing

You will

Die

To yourself

And live

For him

Maybe

You're

Like the

Rich

Young

Ruler

You

Regard

Jesus

Quite

Highly

You've

Made

Every

Effort

To

Repent

To

Believe

To

Confess

Your

Sins

And

Keep

Short

Accounts

With

God

But

Perhaps

The

One

Thing

You

Lack

Is

Simply

To

Give

Up

Everything

And

Follow

Him

All

In

Words

Like

Surrender

Devotion

Allegiance

Lord

Capture

This

Response

To

Jesus

And so

I

Simply

Want to

Ask

You

This

Morning

As

We've

Heard

The story

Of

Jesus

Death

Again

What

Do

You

Need

To

Do

In

Response

To

Jesus

Repent

Believe

Confess

Surrender

To

Him

As

Lord

And

King

Of

Your

Life

live

Shane

As

I'll invite you to stand and we'll sing a few more songs together.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross so despised by the world has a wondrous attraction for me.

For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.

In that old rugged cross stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see.

For it was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.

I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.

There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies.

There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide.

There's a place whereash where all the love I've ever found.

Comes like a flood, comes flowing down.

At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life.

I'm in awe of You, I'm in awe of You.

Where your love ran red and my sin washed white, I owe all to you.

I owe all to you, Jesus.

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless.

Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness.

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless.

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless.

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless.

Where all the love I've ever found comes like a flood, comes blowing down.

At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life.

And I'm in awe of you.

I'm in awe of you.

Where your love ran red and my sin washed white, I owe all to you.

I owe all to you.

Here my hope is found.

Here on holy ground.

Here I bow down.

Here I bow.

Here arms open wide.

Here you save my life.

Here I bow down.

Here I bow.

At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life.

I'm in awe of you.

I'm in awe of you.

I'm in awe of you.

Where your love ran red and my sin washed white, I owe all to you.

I owe all to you.

At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life.

And I'm in awe of you.

I'm in awe of you.

I'm in awe of you.

Where your love ran red and my sin washed white, I owe all to you.

I owe all to you, Jesus.

We'll sing one more together.

When I surveyed the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory died.

My riches gained I count but loss.

And pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet.

Sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e'er such love and sorrow mean?

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Bids me come and die, And find that I may truly live.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

All who gather here, By grace draw near, And bless your name.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small.

Love so amazing, So divine.

And find that I may truly live.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

And find that I may truly live.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Bids me come and die, And find that I may truly live.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

All who gather here, By grace draw near, And bless your name.

Let's sing that one more time.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Bids me come and die, And find that I may truly live.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

Oh, the wonderful cross.

All who gather here, By grace draw near, And bless your name.

And bless your name, Amen, Amen.

in each of our hearts this week

as we reflect on your death

and prepare to celebrate your resurrection.

To your name be the glory.

Amen.

You may be seated.