Good Friday Service

Good Friday Thought Mrs. Jaya Simon

Old Testament Isaiah 53 1-12

New Testament 1 Corinthians 1 18-31

The First Word Dr. Sundara Rao Tsappidi

“ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do ”

When they came to the place called "The Skull", they nailed Jesus to the cross there, and the two criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said "Forgive them, Father! They do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:33-34

Special Song: 'Jesus Messiah' UECF Choir

The Second Word: Bro. Ravindra Bhaskar

“Verily, I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in Paradise”

One of the criminals hanging there threw insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” The other one, however, rebuked him, saying: “Don’t you fear God? Here we are all under the same sentence. Ours, however, is only

right, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me.” Luke 23:39-43

Special Song: 'Jo Krus Pe' UECF Choir

The Third Word: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

“Woman, Behold thy Son! … Behold, thy Mother!”

Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that time the disciple took her to live in his home. John 19:25-27

Special Song: 'Aparaadhini Yesayya' Mr. Praveen Charles

The Fourth Word: Bro. Sunil Robert Vuppula

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Elo-i, elo-i, lama sabach-thani?" which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Mark 15:33-34

Offertory

Special Song: 'Advitheeya Prema' UECF Choir

Offertory Prayer:

The Fifth Word: Rev. Dr. Isaac Simon

"I thirst."

After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture),

“I Thirst.” John 19:28

Special Song: Mrs. Kavitha Shaik

The Sixth Word: Rev. Joseph Theophilus

“It is finished”

A bowl was there, full of cheap wine mixed with vinegar, so a sponge was soaked in it, put on stalk of hyssop and lifted up to his lips. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished"; John 19:29-30

Special Song: Mrs. Lavanya Devi

The Seventh Word: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

“Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

* Closing Hymn: ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross’ RCH#185

* Closing Prayer & Benediction: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

*Please stand up, if you are able

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SPEAKERS:
Dr. Sundara Rao Tsappidi retired as an English Professor from a degree College in Vijayawada in 1994 and visited USA in 2000. While he was in Pittsburg with his daughter, he dreamed a dream. The importance of that dream was that he died and went to heaven. There, Jesus caught hold of his hand walked with him on a street. At the end of the street, Jesus showed him a Church and told him that there is still time for him to come to heaven and asked him to go back to his place and guide the people to go to the Churches and read Bible for salvation. He received a Doctorate on Sacred Literature by Bible University of Bethlehem. So far, he has written six books based on biblical history and built 2 Churches around Vijayawada and maintaining them. He loves to serve the Lord God and seek his Kingdom.

Bro. Ravi Bhaskar finished his Seminary studies at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, VA with a Master’s in Biblical Studies and a M.Div. in Professional Ministries.  His vision and goals include evangelism, global outreach, and a teaching ministry. He has been active in Bible study and apologetics ministry at the Telugu Christian Fellowship of NJ. He is an associate pastor at New Jersey Indian Church in Kendall Park, NJ. Originally from Andhra Pradesh, he has been a resident of the US since 1985. An engineer by profession (B.E. in Electrical Engineering Osmania ’85 and M.S. in Computer & Information Science at NJIT ’88), he now resides in Freehold, NJ with his wife Dr. Vatsala and college going son, Joseph.

Bro. Sunil Robert Vuppula is a communicator with 20 years of experience globally. As a lay leader he has served on the boards and faculty of mission organizations like RZIM, Haggai Institute and Youth for Christ. He was the youngest faculty member at Haggai and taught Communications and Youth Culture at their centers in Maui and Singapore. His interests include Music, Writing and Travel. He lives in Edison with Prafulla, Aman and Sahil.  

Rev. Dr. Isaac Simon was born to Christian parents in Kerala. He completed his Bible College and Seminary Educated in Madras and Kerala. He migrated to NJ in 1977 and started first Malayalee Pentecostal Church in NJ and started Radio broadcast in Malayalam from NYC in 1979. Elected to NJ Church of God State Council in 2002 and served 3 consecutive term for six years. Served as Director of LifeBuilders Men's Ministry for 12 yrs., conducts seminars on Evangelism in and out of countries. Now serves as Coordinator of N J Indian Churches of God and also serves as a general Minister of Church of God International.

Rev. Joseph V. Theophilus is currently the Pastor of The New Covenant Church, NJ. After his Theological Teaching, Training and Ordination, he was an Associate and Youth Pastor of Pentecostal Church in India. Later he served as the Senior Pastor & Regional Director of New Covenant Pentecostal Church in Melbourne, planting & overseeing many churches in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and establishing mission outposts in Indonesia & Philippines. He was also the senior editorial member of board for publishing Sunday School syllabus for grades 1 - 11 which is currently being followed in about 50 countries.

Rev. Dr. David K. Ravinder is the Senior Pastor of the Whitehouse United Methodist Church in Whitehouse, NJ. He is an ordained Elder in the Greater NJ Annual Conference. Following the completion of his Ph.D from Princeton Seminary, Dr. Ravinder started his pastoral ministry in 1985 having served churches in Warren, Bridgewater, Berkeley Heights, Roselle Park and Whitehouse UMC. Since 1997 he has served as the Hon. Senior Pastor of the United Evangelical Christian Fellowship (UECF). He has taught courses in Counseling in India, Singapore and USA.