Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, teach us to know You in Your humiliation and in Your exaltation. Amen. Text: Philippians 2:5–11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,…

Opening Thought “Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.” (Psa 5:11) Text: Matthew 21:1–9 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then…

Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, grant us to understand Your atoning suffering and to taste Your love. Amen. Texts: John 19:28-29, Psalm 22:14-15, Psalm 69:21 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they…

Opening Prayer “My God, be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.” (Psa 22:11) Text: Matthew 27:45–49 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli,…

Opening Prayer At Your cross, Lord Jesus, is the home of love; draw me there, O draw me there. Amen. Text: John 19:25–27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom…

Opening Prayer Lord, convert us, and give us a portion in Your kingdom. Amen. Text: Luke 23:39-43 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the…

Opening Verse Worthy are You, Lord Jesus, to receive honor and praise and power forever! (Rev 5:12) Text: Matthew 27:39–44 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from…

Opening Prayer Lord, teach me to know the shame of my nakedness, and clothe me in the dearly-bought robe of righteousness. Amen. Text: John 19:23–24 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam,…

Opening Prayer Lord, what is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (Psa 8:4) Text: Isaiah 7:10–16 Moreover the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above.”…

Opening Prayer O my Immanuel, come and be born in my heart! Text: Luke 1:26–38 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.…