Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
All: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

A reading from Luke 23:33-43: When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!” The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: “So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!” Printed over him was a sign: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save
yourself! Save us!” But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom. He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.”

Let us pray: Dear Jesus, You are our King! We worship and adore you. May your cross be a sign for the world of your invitation into the paradise of heaven. In your name, Amen

(May be sung or said) Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

The readings are from The Message. Drawing by Gustave Dore and anonymous. Prayers by Rev. Dr. Jack Horner
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