Methodists within the Brooklyn Downtown South Parish of the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Good Friday, March 29, heard the “Seven Final Phrases of Christ” within the second gathering of the cluster for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic.
Preachers from Vanderveer Park, Fenimore Road, St. Mark’s, St. Paul’s and Kings Freeway UMCs introduced the message within the perennial three-hour-long worship service at St. Mark’s UMC, on Beverly Street and Ocean Avenue, within the Flatbush part of Brooklyn. The Church of the Redeemer can be a part of the Cooperative Parish.
The service was additionally punctuated with scripture readings, prayers, lofty signing by soloists, choirs and the congregation, and liturgical dances.
“As quickly as they pierce you, forgive them Lord for they know not what they do,” preached the Rev. Wendy Paige, pastor of Kings Freeway UMC, in bringing the First Phrase, taken from Luke 23: 33-34.
“For those who do anything, you’re making an assumption,” she added. “Jesus was reiterating that we love one another, as we love ourselves.”
Afterwards, the Cooperative Parish Choir, comprising members from the cluster, sang, accompanied by a liturgical dance, “Forgive Them, Lord, As a result of They Know Not What They Do,” written by Rev. Paige herself.
Meditating on “At the moment, You Will Be With Me in Paradise,” the Rev. Melvin Boone, senior pastor of Vanderveer Park UMC and parish coordinator, mentioned: “The best way to paradise begins with repentance.”
“If you’re within the presence of God, one thing occurs,” he preached, primarily based on Luke 23: 39-43. “You need to all the time hold your eyes on Jesus.
“The best way to paradise is with reverence with God,” Rev. Boone added. “The best way to paradise requires a perception and reverence of Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord.
“So, I encourage you, beloved, make Jesus your Savior and Lord,” he urged. “Jesus is the best way to paradise.”
Rev. Boone then joined Sis. Patricia Senhouse, a Trinidadian-born member of the Chancel Choir at Fenimore Road UMC, in a duet, “On the Cross”, earlier than the Rev. Roger Jackson, pastor of Fenimore Road UMC, introduced the Third Phrase.
“Saints of God, Jesus was saying that, within the midst of ache, we should nonetheless present love,” mentioned Rev. Jackson, preaching on “Lady, Behold Thy Son,” primarily based on John 19: 26,27. “If we’re intentional and deliberate in assembly Jesus on the entrance of the cross, we should start to fix each households in our lives.
“What Jesus was saying in the present day, we want one another to carry one another up,” he added.
Sis Erlene Williams-King, a soloist and member of the Chancel Choir at St. Mark’s UMC, acquired a standing ovation after rendering “Hosannah within the Highest” and previous the Fourth Phrase from Rev. Sharon Cundy, the Jamaican-born senior pastor at St. Paul’s UMC.
“Have you ever been rejected by household and pals? requested Rev. Cundy, meditating on “My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Matthew 27: 45-46). “It hurts.”
“It hurts, particularly as a result of youngsters are within the relationship,” she added. “When spouses break up, you are feeling rejected.
“On the cross, He was praying for us, even in His rejection,” continued Rev. Cundy, referring to Jesus Christ. “Jesus was rejected so that each one others might be accepted.”
The Rev. Janet Cox, a junior pastor at St. Paul’s UMC, famous that Jesus was within the “disintegrating throes of loss of life,” as she preached on the Fifth Phrase, “I Thirst” (John 19:28).
“Divine Jesus was about to die for you and for me,” she mentioned. “Jesus is thirsting on the cross. Do you need residing water?
“Jesus is struggling,” Rev. Cox added. “At the moment marks the top of the Lenten journey. How have you ever been modified? At the moment is a reminder that God will not be contend to like from a distance. I invite you to stroll with Jesus.”
As Jesus is within the means of dying, the Rev. Morais G. Quissico, pastor of St. Mark’s UMC, mentioned Christ’s first miracle was “to show water into wine.”
“He’s not care what they did to Him, as a result of he’s completed,” mentioned Rev. Quissico, preaching on the Sixth Phrase, “It’s Completed” (John 19:30). “I’m so glad that Jesus is completed.”
Deaconess Gail Douglas-Boykins, junior pastor at Vanderveer Park UMC, mentioned that Jesus used his final phrases “to commend His final spirit into God’s fingers.”
“God is commonly held up in prayer,” she preached in bringing the Seventh Phrase, “Father, Into Your Palms I commend My Spirit” (Luke 23:46).
“God is commonly held up in prayer, however we also needs to observe His instance,” she added. “Those that know him will discover consolation.”
The Phrases – intermingled with singing from, amongst others, the Company Parish Choir – had been preceded by high-octane singing from St. Mark’s Reward and Worship Group, rendering, amongst different songs, “I Worship You”; “Bless The Lord, O My Soul”; and “Each Reward Is to Our Lord.”
On Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday), as is customary, every church within the parish performed its personal Easter Sunday Worship Service.
At Fenimore Road UMC, Rev. Jackson urged congregants, in his sermon, primarily based on John 20: 1-18, to “go inform any individual that our Savior is alive.”
“We have fun the truth that our Savior arose,” he mentioned, preaching on the subject, “Go Inform.” “An empty grace is there to show He lives.
“Go and inform any individual in the present day that Christ the Lord is risen in the present day,” he added. “God inform any individual that the identical resurrection energy is protecting us alive.
“Go inform any individual that we serve a residing Savior,” Pastor Jackson continued. “Jesus rose from the grace to inform any individual.”
