Good Friday, 2026
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Good Friday, 3rd Apr 2026
Welcome sisters and brothers and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
Feel the sting of betrayal, the silence of false accusation, the loneliness of being misunderstood - and bring it with you into the story of Jesus in John chapters 18 and 19.
Because what we see here is not just the suffering of a man - it is the suffering of the Son of God who walks straight into darkness … for us.
The passage begins in a garden. Jesus goes to a place He often visited, a place of prayer, a place of quiet but now it becomes the place of betrayal.
Judas arrives. Not with confusion, but with clarity. Not alone, but with soldiers. He comes with a kiss in the other Gospels, but here in John, something even more striking happens.
Jesus steps forward and asks, “Whom are you seeking?” They answer, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He says, “I am he.” At those words, they draw back and fall to the ground.
Even in the moment of arrest, Jesus is not overpowered - He is in control.
He is not dragged unwillingly into the coming suffering … He walks freely into it.
This matters because it tells us this: Jesus is not a victim of circumstances. He is the Saviour on a mission.
Even betrayal does not derail Him. <PAUSE>Jesus is brought before the authorities - Annas, Caiaphas, and then Pilate.
False accusations swirl around Him. Half-truths. Twisted claims. Political pressure.
Pilate, the Roman governor, questions Him: “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answers in a way that shifts the entire conversation: “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate finds no guilt in Him and yet, the crowd insists. They choose to save Barabbas, a known criminal, instead of Jesus. <PAUSE>
Let that sink in: The innocent is condemned. The guilty is set free. <PAUSE>
That is not just a moment in history, this is at the very heart of the gospel because as the innocent Jesus is condemned, He takes our place and we receive His freedom. <PAUSE>
Jesus is flogged. Mocked. Crowned with thorns. The soldiers dress Him in a purple robe, bow in false worship, and strike Him. The crowd cries, “Crucify him!”
This is one of the darkest scenes in all of Scripture and yet, even here, something deeper is happening.
Jesus is reigning. The crown of thorns is mockery to the soldiers but in truth, He is the King.
The cross is meant to shame Him but it becomes His throne.
The sign above His head reads: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
Pilate writes it in multiple languages, perhaps unknowingly proclaiming a universal truth: This is your King. This is the world’s King. <PAUSE>
At the cross, Jesus is crucified yet victorious and He speaks.
To His mother, He provides care.
To the beloved disciple, He creates a new family.
Finally, He declares: “It is finished.”
NOT “I am finished.” BUT “It is finished.”
The earthly work is complete. The earthly mission is accomplished. The debt is paid.
And then He bows His head and gives up His spirit.
Notice that He gives it up. Even in death, Jesus is in control.
After His death, two unexpected figures step forward: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Men who had been quiet, even secretive in their faith, now come into the open.
They take Jesus’ body, wrap it with spices, and lay Him in a new tomb. It seems like the end.
The stone is rolled. The body is placed. The silence begins.
Darkness appears to have won.
But here is the truth:
What looks like defeat… is actually victory.
What looks like the end… is only the beginning.
Because Sunday is coming. <PAUSE>
So … What does this all mean for us?
Well …
I realise that my identity is never in what others say about me - it is in who I truly am and want to be, in Christ.” <PAUSE>
Jesus knew who He was.
That’s why betrayal didn’t break Him.
That’s why accusations didn’t shake Him.
That’s why the cross didn’t defeat Him.
And because of what He did:
• When we are misunderstood, we are not alone.
• When we are falsely accused, we are not forgotten.
• When we fail, like Peter, we are not finished.
• When darkness seems to win, it has not won.
Because Jesus has already walked that road and He has overcome.
Because the story of John 18 and 19 is not just about suffering.
It is about love.
It is about redemption.
It is about a Saviour who went into the darkest night … so that we can walk in the light.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's sacrifice and goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Let us pray for God’s people throughout the world: for unity in faith, in witness and in service, for all who seek to lead and serve, for all Christians, for those to be baptised, for those who are mocked and persecuted for their faith, that God will confirm his people in faith, increase them in love, and preserve them in peace. AMEN.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Let us pray for the nations of the world and their leaders, for all in government, for those who administer the law and all who serve in public office, for all who strive for justice and reconciliation, that by God’s help the world may live in peace and freedom.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Let us pray for God’s ancient people, the Jews, the first to hear His word: for greater understanding between Christian, Jew and Muslim, for the removal of our blindness and bitterness of heart, that God will grant us grace to be faithful to His covenant and to grow in the love of His name
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Let us pray for those who do not believe the gospel of Christ: for those who have not heard the message of salvation, for all who have lost faith, for the contemptuous and scornful, for those who are enemies of Christ and persecute those who follow Him, for all who deny the faith of Christ crucified, that God will open their hearts to the truth and lead them to faith and obedience
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Let us pray for all those who suffer: for those who are deprived and oppressed, for all who are sick, for those in darkness, in doubt and in despair, in loneliness and in fear, for prisoners, captives and refugees, for the victims of false accusations and violence, for all at the point of death and those who watch beside them, that God in his mercy will sustain them with the knowledge of His love.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Let us commend ourselves and all God’s children to his unfailing love, and pray for the grace of a holy life, that, with all who have died in the peace of Christ, we may come to the fullness of eternal life and the joy of the resurrection.
We especially raise before you at this time our recently departed sisters and brothers, Emmanuel (Trinidad), Elizabeth, Janet, Oscar (UK).
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
O God, you have searched the depths we cannot know, and touched what we cannot bear to name: may we so wait, enclosed in your darkness that we are ready to encounter the terror of the dawn, with Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
