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ST COLUMBA’S, PONT STREET,
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 2026 8.00 P.M.,
MAUNDY THURSDAY HOLY COMMUNION
Welcome & Call to Worship
Hymn 375 This is the night, dear friends (Intercessor)
1 This is the night, dear friends, the night for weeping,
when powers of darkness overcome the day,
the night the faithful mourn the weight of evil
whereby our sins the Son of Man betray.
2 This night the traitor, wolf within the sheepfold,
betrays himself into his victim’s will;
the Lamb of God for sacrifice preparing,
sin brings about the cure for sin’s own ill.
3 This night Christ institutes his holy supper,
blest food and drink for heart and soul and mind;
this night injustice joins its hand to treason’s,
and buys the ransom-price of humankind.
4 This night the Lord by slaves shall be arrested,
he who destroys our slavery to sin;
accused of crime, to criminals be given,
that judgement on the righteous Judge begin.
5 O make us sharers, Saviour, of your Passion,
that we may share your glory that shall be;
let us pass through these three dark nights of sorrow
to Easter’s laughter and its liberty.
Prayer of Approach & Maundy Thursday Collect
Holy God, source of all love, on the night before he died Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment to love one an other as he loved them. Write this commandment in our hearts. Give us the will to be the servant of others as he was the servant of all, who gave up his life and died for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn with fire. 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the Passover of the Lord. 12 I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from human to animal, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14 “This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Hymn 376 Twas on that night Rockingham (Communion)
1 ’Twas on that night when doomed to know
the eager rage of every foe,
that night in which he was betrayed,
the Saviour of the world took bread;
2 And, after thanks and glory given
to him that rules in earth and heaven,
that symbol of his flesh he broke,
and thus to all his followers spoke:
3 ‘My broken body thus I give
for you, for all; take, eat, and live:
and oft the sacred rite renew
that brings my wondrous love to view.’
4 Then in his hands the cup he raised,
and God anew he thanked and praised,
while kindness in his bosom glowed,
and from his lips salvation flowed.
5 ‘My blood I thus pour forth,’ he cries,
‘to cleanse the soul in sin that lies;
in this the covenant is sealed,
and heaven’s eternal grace revealed.
6 ‘With love to all this cup is fraught,
let each partake the sacred draught;
through latest ages let it pour
in memory of my dying hour.’
Gospel Testament Reading: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already decided[a] that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers[d] greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,[a] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Hymn 356 Meekness and Majesty (This is your God)
1 Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity,
in perfect harmony — the man who is God:
Lord of eternity, dwells in humanity,
kneels in humility and washes our feet.
Oh, what a mystery — meekness and majesty:
bow down and worship, for this is your God,
this is your God!
2 Father’s pure radiance, perfect in innocence,
yet learns obedience to death on a cross:
suffering to give us life, conquering through sacrifice —
and, as they crucify, prays, ‘Father forgive’.
3 Wisdom unsearchable, God the invisible,
love indestructible in frailty appears:
Lord of infinity, stooping so tenderly,
lifts our humanity to the heights of his throne.
Sermon
Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried,
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen
Hymn 76 How can I ever thank the Lord. Jackson (Byzantium)
1 How can I ever thank the Lord
for all his gifts to me?
I’ll raise salvation’s cup, and call
on God’s name joyfully.
2 I’ll bring you offerings of thanks,
call on the name of God;
fulfil my promises among
the people of the Lord.
3 I’ll pay my vows in God’s own house,
the temple of the Lord,
there in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise God with one accord!
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
During the prayers that follow:
Minister: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
Congregation: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Congregation: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord
God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory for ever, Amen.
After the breaking of the Bread and the lifting of the Cup:
Minister: Jesus, Lamb of God
Congregation: Have mercy upon us.
Minister: Jesus, bearer of our sins
Congregation: Have mercy upon us.
Minister: Jesus, redeemer of the world
Congregation: Grant us peace.
Hymn 393 We turn to God (Eventide)
1 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed;
we pray for help, and ask for peace and bread;
we seek release from illness, guilt, and death:
all people do, in faith or unbelief.
2 We turn to God when he is sorely pressed,
and find him poor, scorned, without roof and bread,
bowed under weight of weakness, sin, and death:
faith stands by God in his dark hour of grief.
3 God turns to us when we are sorely pressed,
and feeds our souls and bodies with his bread;
for one and all Christ gives himself in death:
through his forgiveness sin will find relief.
Blessing
Music towards silence
As the music ends and the silence begins, the chapel is cleared. A single candle remains on the communion table as the lights are lowered. You are welcome to remain in the chapel for a time of silent prayer.
Silence
ST COLUMBA’S, PONT STREET,
FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 2026 11.00 A.M.,
MUSIC & WORDS FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Introit: O vos omnes, Croce (1557-1609)
O vos omnes qui transitis per viam,
attendite et videte, si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus.
O all ye that pass by the way,
attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow.
Welcome & Call to Worship
Hymn 378 Praise to the Holiest in the height (Gerontius)
1 Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise, —
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
2 O loving wisdom of our God!
when all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
3 O wisest love! that flesh and blood,
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail.
4 O generous love! that he who smote
in Man, for man, the foe,
the double agony in Man
for man should undergo;
5 And in the garden secretly,
and on the Cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
6 Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise, —
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
Call to Prayer
Prayers of Approach, Confession & Collect for Good Friday
Almighty God your Son Jesus Christ endured the cross for our sake. Remove from us all coldness and cowardice of heart, and give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: The Suffering Servant Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
13 See, my servant shall prosper;
he shall be exalted and lifted up,
and shall be very high.
14 Just as there were many who were astonished at him[a]
—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of mortals—
15 so he shall startle[b] many nations;
kings shall shut their mouths because of him;
for that which had not been told them they shall see,
and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate.
53 Who has believed what we have heard?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by others;
a man of suffering[c] and acquainted with infirmity;
and as one from whom others hide their faces[d]
he was despised, and we held him of no account.
4 Surely he has borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
9 They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb[e] with the rich,[f]
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.[g]
When you make his life an offering for sin,[h]
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.
11 Out of his anguish he shall see light;[i]
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one,[j] my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Choir Anthem: Psalm 22: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me (Hymn 12)
Introduction to a Reading of the Passion
{For the remainder of the service readings and music are
unannounced. We remain seated for the hymns. The Passion according to John begins at page 104 of the New Testament section in the pew bibles.}
Reading I: John 18: 1-11: The Garden: Betrayal & Arrest
After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he’, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ This was to fulfil the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’
Hymn 375 This is the night, dear friends, the night for weeping (Intercessor)
1 This is the night, dear friends, the night for weeping,
when powers of darkness overcome the day,
the night the faithful mourn the weight of evil
whereby our sins the Son of Man betray.
2 This night the traitor, wolf within the sheepfold,
betrays himself into his victim’s will;
the Lamb of God for sacrifice preparing,
sin brings about the cure for sin’s own ill.
3 This night Christ institutes his holy supper,
blest food and drink for heart and soul and mind;
this night injustice joins its hand to treason’s,
and buys the ransom-price of humankind.
4 This night the Lord by slaves shall be arrested,
he who destroys our slavery to sin;
accused of crime, to criminals be given,
that judgement on the righteous Judge begin.
5 O make us sharers, Saviour, of your Passion,
that we may share your glory that shall be;
let us pass through these three dark nights of sorrow
to Easter’s laughter and its liberty.
Reading II: John 18: 12-27: Interrogation & Denial
So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.
Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.
Stabat mater, Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla (c1590-1664)
Stabat mater dolorosa,
Iuxta crucem lacrimosa,
Dum pendebat Filius.
Cuius animam gementem,
Contristatem et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius.
At the cross her station keeping
Stood the mournful mother weeping
Close to her Son to the last.
Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.
Reading III: John 18: 28-40: Before Pilate
Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ They answered, ‘If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.’ The Jews replied, ‘We are not permitted to put anyone to death.’ (This was to fulfil what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ They shouted in reply, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a bandit.
Hymn 382 O Sacred Head! sore wounded (Passion Chorale)
1 O Sacred Head! sore wounded,
with grief and shame bowed down!
O Kingly Head, surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown!
How pale art thou with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that face now languish,
which once was bright as morn!
2 O Lord of life and glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
I read the wondrous story;
I joy to call thee mine.
Thy grief and bitter Passion
were all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
3 What language shall I borrow
to praise thee, heavenly Friend,
for this, thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine for ever,
and, should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.
4 Be near me, Lord, when dying;
O show thy cross to me;
and, my last need supplying,
come, Lord, and set me free;
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from thee shall never move;
for they who die believing
die safely through thy love.
Reading IV: John 19: 1-16a: Mocked & Condemned
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.’ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’ When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.’ The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.’
Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, ‘Where are you from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, ‘Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?’ Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, ‘If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.’
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
Choir Anthem: In manus tuas, Tallis (c 1505-1585)
In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum;
Redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis.
Into thy hands, O God, I commend my spirit:
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
Reading V: John 19: 16b-30: Crucifixion
So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.”’ Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfil what the scripture says,
‘They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.’
And that is what the soldiers did.
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
{At the conclusion of the reading a black drape is placed on the cross}
A time of silence
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory for ever, Amen.
Reading VI: John 19: 31-42: Taken Down & Buried
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows[a] that he tells the truth.) 36 These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ 37 And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’
38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Hymn 399 My song is love unknown (Love Unknown)
1 My song is love unknown,
my Saviour’s love to me,
love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I, that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
2 He came from his blest throne,
salvation to bestow:
but people scorned, and none the longed-for Christ would know.
But O my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need his life did spend!
3 Sometimes they strew his way,
and his sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day hosannas to their King.
Then ‘Crucify!’ is all their breath,
and for his death they thirst and cry.
4 Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run, he gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! yet they at these
themselves displease, and ’gainst him rise.
5 They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord done away;
a murderer they save, the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful he to suffering goes,
that he his foes from thence might free.
6 In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heaven was his home:
but mine the tomb wherein he lay.
7 Here might I stay and sing:
no story so divine;
never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine!
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.
Prayers of Thanksgiving & Intercession
O Christ, the Master Carpenter,
who at the last, through wood and nails,
purchased our whole salvation,
wield well your tools
in the workshop of your world,
so that we who come rough-hewn to your bench
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty of your hand.
We ask it for your own name’s sake. Amen.
Hymn 380 There is a green hill far away (Horsley)
1 There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.
2 We may not know, we cannot tell
what pains he had to bear;
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
3 He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
4 There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin;
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven, and let us in.
5 Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved,
and we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
Dismissal
ST COLUMBA’S, PONT STREET
EASTER MORNING HOLY COMMUNION,
SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 2026, 11AM
Introit: Surrexit pastor bonus Lassus (1532-94)
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us
Call to Worship & Welcome
Minister: Christ is risen.
Congregation: He is risen indeed!
Hymn 419 Thine be the glory (Maccabaeus)
1 Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes, where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
2 Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
3 No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Prayers of Approach
Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Archibald James Morrison
Blessing {Sung by congregation} CH4 796
The Lord bless you, and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. Amen
Hymn 425 The Saviour died but rose again (Paraphrase 48)
(St Andrews TANS’UR)
1 The Saviour died, but rose again
triumphant from the grave;
and pleads our cause at God’s right hand,
omnipotent to save.
2 Who then can e’er divide us more
from Jesus and his love,
or break the sacred chain that binds
the earth to heaven above?
3 Let troubles rise, and terrors frown,
and days of darkness fall;
through him all dangers we’ll defy,
and more than conquer all.
4 Nor death nor life, nor earth nor hell,
nor time’s destroying sway,
can e’er efface us from his heart,
or make his love decay.
5 Each future period that will bless,
as it has blessed the past:
he loved us from the first of time,
he loves us to the last.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
28 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,[b] and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Anthem: Sing ye to the Lord Bairstow (1874-1946)
Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumph’d gloriously.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea.
Mighty Victim from the sky,
Hell’s fierce pow’rs beneath thee lie:
Thou hast conquer’d in the fight,
Thou hast brought us life and light;
Now no more can death appal,
Now no more the grave enthrall,
Thou hast open’d Paradise,
And in thee thy saints shall rise.
Alleluia, alleluia! Amen.
Sermon
Hymn 436 Christ triumphant, ever reigning (Guiting Power)
1 Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.
2 Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
power and majesty concealing
by your humble birth:
3 Suffering servant, scorned, ill – treated,
victim crucified!
death is through the cross defeated,
sinners justified:
4 Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love:
5 So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song:
Followed immediately by:
Hymn 19 Ye gates lift up your heads on high (St George’s, Edinburgh) Psalm 24
Ye gates, lift up your heads on high;
ye doors that last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.
But who of glory is the King?
The mighty Lord is this;
* even that same Lord that great in might
and strong in battle is.
Ye gates, lift up your heads; ye doors,
doors that do last for aye,
be lifted up, that so the King
of glory enter may.
But who is he that is the King,
the King of glory? who is this?
The Lord of hosts, and none but he,
the King of glory is.
Coda:
Alleluia! alleluia!
alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Amen, amen, amen.
* The last two lines of each verse are repeated.
Celebration of Holy Communion
During the prayers that follow:
Minister: The Lord be with you;
Congregation: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts;
Congregation: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory for ever, Amen.
Minister: Jesus, Lamb of God,
Congregation: Have mercy upon us!
Minister: Jesus, bearer of our sins,
Congregation: Have mercy upon us!
Minister: Jesus, redeemer of the world,
Congregation: Grant us peace!
{Communion is served to the congregation in the pews. For pastoral reasons the wine is non-alcoholic. If you wish to receive wine from the chalice, or to receive gluten free bread, please indicate to a serving elder.}
Anthem: Easter Hymn Mascagni (1863-1945)
Alleluia!
O rejoice that the Lord has arisen,
He has conquered the power of the grave,
He has broken the gates of the prison,
He has risen in glory to save.
O rejoice in the Lord! Alleluia.
Intimations
Hymn 416 Christ is alive! (Old Clarendonian)
1 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
2 Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
3 In every insult, rift, and war,
where colour, scorn, or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
4 Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
5 Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Benediction
Postlude: Finale from Symphonie No.1’ by Vierne
Retiring Offering
(It is possible to donate via the website. All offerings towards the ongoing life of St Columba’s are very gratefully received. Thank you.
On behalf of the Kirk Session & members of St Columba’s, Pont Street – may you have a happy and joyful Easter.)
