Lois Ebner: Figure of the Crucified Jesus, c. 1992, St Florian Church, Aigen-im-Ennstal, [Austria]
April 3, 2026 ENVISIONING THE PASSION GOOD FRIDAY
12 PM SERVICE
Welcome to this year’s “Envisioning the Passion,” an Asbury First tradition since the 1990s. We welcome you into this shared journey of music, art, and scripture, and we hope this experience deepens your observance of Holy Week. A covenant is defined as “a formal, solemn, and often legally binding agreement or promise between two or more parties to perform (or refrain from performing) specific actions.” Today’s service focuses on God’s covenant with us, and how, despite humankind’s many lapses into evil, God still loves us. Perhaps this, as paradoxical as it seems, is why in the midst of astounding betrayal, cruelty and suffering, there truly is ‘good’ in Good Friday. Before we enter the Passion story itself, we will touch on several Old Testament stories – creation and exile from Eden, Noah and the flood, and Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt - that are important in understanding that even in the darkest hours, God has not lost faith in us. They also remind us that the renewal of the covenant through the act of sending Jesus to live and teach among us didn’t die on the cross. In that respect, Good Friday is not merely an ending - it is also a beginning. Lucy Winters Durkin, Artistic Coordinator Carl Johengen, Director of Music Ministry
Welcome to this year's installment of "Envisioning the Passion", an Asbury First tradition that dates to the 1990s. It continues to be a privilege and joy to prepare and present this service in collaboration, and we sincerely hope that your experience of Holy Week is enhanced by the music and art you will encounter today. To accompany today’s gospel readings you will see works which come from a unique set of small and highly finished opaque watercolors (gouache) by the French artist and illustrator James Tissot, which are in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Tissot, a contemporary of Claude Monet’s, chose to remain firmly allied to the older figurative tradition rather than follow the newer, and ultimately more popular, Impressionist style. Tissot demonstrated both his firm drawing skills and subtle understanding of the gospel narratives in this series of over three hundred images, which date from 1886-94. They are unprecedented in their detail of attention to detail; of particular note are The Grotto of Gethsemane, which depicts Jesus surrounded by translucent angels as he prays in the garden, What Jesus Saw from the Cross which follows Lesson V, and the one of the soldiers breaking the legs of the thieves in Lesson VI, which is the only illustration of this scene that I have ever encountered. While listening to Craig Phillips’ "A Song Without Words" you will see numerous views of another work, The Descent from the Cross by the German master Adam Lenckhardt. This intricately detailed sculpture dates from 1653, and, almost unbelievably, was carved from a single piece of ivory measuring 17-5/8 inches tall. I am profoundly grateful that the Cleveland Museum of Art website provides gorgeous high-resolution images from every angle, which allows us to see it in exquisite detail, almost as if we were there. I am also grateful that Logan Wadley, a master’s student at the Eastman School of Music, is there with you in the sanctuary today to present the images, as I am in La Jolla, California, preparing to present a performance of Marcel Dupré’s "Stations of the Cross" tonight. Logan has been closely involved in the construction of both this service and the Stations, and his input has been invaluable on many levels. Lucy Winters Durkin, Artistic Coordinator
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Jacques Callot: Noah's Ark and the Dove from The Life of the Virgin in Symbols, etching, 1628, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Introduction
Good Friday
April 3, 2026 - 12 Noon
Envisioning the Passion: God So Loved the World
PRELUDE: Brian Donat, cello Duane Prill, piano "Élégie", Opus 24 — Gabriel Fauré CALL TO WORSHIP Friends of God, believe this: God so loved the world. Friends of God, know this: God still loves the world. Today we gather to remember that great love story— a covenant spoken across generations, a promise carried through struggle and hope. We come as friends of God and companions to one another, honest about our weakness and our need for mercy. We bring our tiredness, our frustrations, and our discouragements, trusting that none of it places us beyond God’s care. As we worship, may we see again how the love of God unfolds through history and how, in Jesus, that love is revealed most clearly. Let us enter the story of God’s steadfast covenant. MUSICAL OPENING: Duane Prill, organ “Desseins Éternelles” ("Eternal Designs") from La Nativité du Seigneur — Olivier Messiaen unknown French: God the Geometer, frontispiece of the Bible Moralisee, c. 1220-30, Austrian National Library, Vienna William Blake: The Ancient of Days from Europe: A Prophecy [Copy E], 1794, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Hartmann Schedel: The First Day of Creation from the Nuremberg Chronicles, 1493, Huntington Library, San Marino James Tissot: Creation, 1895-1902, Jewish Museum, New York Guiard des Moulins: Creation of the Sun, Moon and Stars from the Bible Historiale de Jean de Berry, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris unknown Byzantine: Creation of the Sun, Moon and Stars, 12th century, San Marco, Venice Jan Bruegel the Younger and Workshop: Paradise with the Creation of the Animals, c. 1678, Gemäldegalerie, Dresden Aaron Douglas: Creation, 1935 Howard University Art Gallery, Washington, D.C. Gustave Klimt: Adam and Eve, 1917-18, Belvedere, Vienna Erastus Salisbury Field: Garden of Eden, c. 1860, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Giovanni di Paolo: Creation of the World and the Expulsion from Eden, 1445, Metropolitan, New York
OPENING PRAYER CHORAL: “Creator of the Stars of Night” — Sarum plainsong, setting by Joe Cox Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light, O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray you, hear us when we call. At your great name, O Jesus, now all knees must bend, all hearts must bow; all things on earth with one accord, like those in heav’n, shall call you Lord. When this old world drew on toward night, you came, but not in splendor bright, Not as a monarch, but the child of Mary, blameless mother mild. Come in your holy might, we pray. Redeem us for eternal day: Defend us while we dwell below from all assaults of our dread foe. In sorrow that the ancient curse should doom to death a universe, You came, O Savior, to set free your own in glorious liberty. To God, Creator, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, Praise, honor, might and glory be from age to age eternally. Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light, O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray you, hear us when we call. All images from the Hubble Space Telescope (https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/hubble-images/) 1. Star Cluster R136, Tarantula Nebula 2. Core of the Crab Nebula 3. Overlapping Galaxies NGC3314 [constellation Hydra] 4. Sombrero Galaxy [Messier 104] 5. Spiral Galaxy NGC 5643 [constellation Lupus] 6. Interacting Galaxy Pair ARP 273 “The Rose" 7. Spiral Galaxy NGC 4654 [constellation Virgo] 8. Blue Spiral Galaxy NGC 685 [constellation Eridanus] 9. Skewed Spiral Galaxy ARP 184 10. Expanding Halo Around Star V838 Monocerotis 11. Intermediate Spiral Galaxy NGC 6951 [constellation Cephus] 12. Cat’s Eye Nebula NGC 6543 13. Emission Line Star IRAS-12196-6300 READING ONE: Noah and the Flood — God’s Covenant Established Introduction: Jacques Callot: Noah’s Ark and the Dove, 1628, etching, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Genesis, chapters 6-9, abridged Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld: God Warning Noah of the Flood, 1852-60, woodcut from Die Bibel in Bildern (The Bible in Pictures), Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, Providence Edward Hicks after Nathaniel Currier: Noah’s Ark, 1844, Philadelphia Museum of Art unknown Seljuk: Noah’s Ark, 13th century, Lázaro Galdiano Museum, Madrid Philippos Kepolas: Noah’s Ark at Sea & on Ararat, 1990, Monastery of the Holy Virgin of Kykkos, Cyprus unknown Byzantine: Noah with the Raven and the Dove, 11th century, San Marco, Venice John Everett Millais: Return of the Dove to the Ark, 1851, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Ester Almqvist: Thank Offering with Rainbow, c. 1893, National Gallery, Stockholm CHANT: In sorrow that the ancient curse should doom to death a universe, You came, O Savior, to set free your own in glorious liberty. Dom Paul Bellot: Noah’s Ark, 1941, St-Joseph des Fins, Annecy READING TWO: Exodus — Covenant Remembered Introduction: Dierick Bouts the Elder: Moses and the Burning Bush and Moses Removing his Shoes, 1465-70, Philadelphia Museum of Art Exodus, chapters 1, 3, 9-13, abridged, interspersed with "Go Down, Moses", spiritual Johann Sadeler: Mistreatment of the Israelites, 1646, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Edward Poynter: Israel in Egypt, 1867, Guildhall Art Gallery, London Sébastien Bourdon: Moses and the Burning Bush, 1642-45, Hermitage, St. Petersburg Stefano Mulinari after Raphael: God Appearing to Moses, c. 1774, Philadelphia Museum of Art Ilya Repin: The Angel of Death Killing the Firstborn of Egypt, 1865, Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts, St. Petersburg James Tissot: The Sign on the Door, 1895-1902, Jewish Museum, New York John Martin: Killing of the Firstborn of Egypt by God, 1836, mezzotint, Wellcome Collection, London David Roberts: The Israelites Leaving Egypt, 1828-30, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Aaron Douglas: Let My People Go, 1935-39, Metropolitan, New York unknown German: Moses Parting the Red Sea from the Luther Bible, c. 1530, Cambridge University Library Hans Jordaens III: Moses Parting the Red Sea, 1620-42, private collection unknown Ethiopian: Moses and Pharaoh at the Red Sea, c. 16th century, Azuwa Maryam Monastery, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Palekh Masters: Moses Parting the Red Sea, 1882, St. Nicholas Nadein, Yaroslavi [Russia] Karen Brodie: Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire, 2020, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York CHANT: When earth drew on to darkest night, you came, but not in splendor bright, not as a king, but as the child of Mary, virgin mother mild. Marc Choisinard (designer) and Charles Champigneulle (glassmaker): The Annunciation, 1930, Église Notre-Dame du Rosaire, Saint-Ouen READING THREE: The Covenant Becomes Flesh Introduction: Fra Angelico: Annunciation with the Expulsion from Eden, 1425-28, Prado, Madrid Luke 1:26-38 Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Annunciation, 1898, Philadelphia Museum of Art CHORAL: “Ave Maria” — Jacob Arcadelt (1507-1568) Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for us. Amen. Herbert Badham: Annunciation, 1954, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane George Hitchcock: Annunciation, 1887, Art Institute of Chicago Guiseppe Capograssi: Annunciation, 1933, Musée National d’Art Moderne, Paris Jan Henryk de Rosen: Annunciation, c. 1929, Armenian Cathedral of Lviv, Ukraine Romare Bearden: Annunciation, c. 1967, private collection Nguyễn Đình Đăng: Annunciation, 2001, private collection READING FOUR: The Covenant Broken Introduction: Jakob Smits: Kiss of Judas, 1908, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp Matthew 26:20–25, 47–56 Joseph Edward Nuttgens: Last Supper, 1952, St. Etheldreda's Church, London Niccolo Giolfino: Arrest of Christ, c. 1545-46, Metropolitan, New York Viktor Dovnar: Kiss of Judas, 2014, Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Butte, MT CHORAL: “Adoramus te, Christe” — Felice Anerio (1560-1614) We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. unknown Kongo artist: Christ Figure, 18th-19th century, Metropolitan, New York Jim Colclough: Crucifixion, c. 1970, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. Tim Lewis: Crucifixion, 2003, High Museum of Art, Atlanta unknown French: Crucifix, c. 1250, Metropolitan, New York Lois Ebner: Figure of the Crucified Jesus, c. 1992, St Florian Church, Aigen-im-Ennstal [Austria] READING FIVE: The Covenant Carried Introduction: Norman Adams: Behold the Man (Ecce Homo), 1991, Methodist Modern Art Collection, London © TMCP, used with permission. www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection Matthew 27:11–26 William Strang: Christ Before Pilate, 1914, drypoint, Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, MA Rembrandt: Ecce Homo (Behold the Man), 1655, drypoint, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Gustave Doré: The Dream of Pilate’s Wife, c. 1879, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Gwyneth Leech: Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned, 2005, St Paul’s on the Green, Norwalk, CT CHORAL: “Sic Deus dilexit mundum” — Gallus Dressler (1533-1580) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Cornelis van Poelenburch: Christ Carrying the Cross, c.1620, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Procession to Calvary, 1564, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Giotto: Christ Carrying the Cross from the Passion Cycle, c. 1305, Scrovegni [Arena] Chapel, Padua Gloria Alvarez, Chris Friesen & Celeste McLaughlin: Station 2 – Christ Takes the Cross, 2020-23, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Houston Master of Engerda [after Hans Holbein]: Christ Carrying the Cross, c. 1510, Metropolitan, New York José Clemente Orozco: Christ Carrying the Cross, c. 1940, Denver Art Museum Juan de Valdes-Leal: Christ on the Way to Calvary, c. 1661, Prado, Madrid Max Beckmann: Bearing the Cross, 1911, Kunsthalle, Hamburg Hieronymus Bosch: Christ Carrying the Cross [detail], 1490-1510, Kunsthistorisches, Vienna Roy De Maistre: Christ Falls for the First Time, c. 1948-49, private collection Magda Langenstrass-Uhlig: Way of the Cross, c. 1922, Private Artist Estates, Brandenburg Davina Lewis: Station 2 - Christ Takes the Cross, 2020, Bayside Church, Cheltenham [Australia] READING SIX: The Covenant Kept Introduction: William Blake: Christ Crucified Between Two Thieves, 1800-03, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge Matthew 27:32–54 Andrea di Vanni: Crucifixion, 1380s, NGA, Washington, D.C. Fausto Pirandello: Crucifixion, 1934, Collection of Modern Religious Art, The Vatican unknown Ottonian: Crucifixion with the Sun and Moon from the Sacramentary of Henry II, 1002-1014, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich Jan Luyken: Tearing of the Temple Veil, 1703, etching, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam Heaton, Butler & Bayne (designers): St. Longinus, 1898, St. Michael’s, Weston-under-Weatherly HYMN: "Creator of the Stars of Night", vv. 4, 5 Master of the Palla Sforzecca: Salvator Mundi, 1490-94, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CLOSING PRAYER AND SILENT DEPARTURE Jean-Léon Gérôme: Golgotha (Consummatus Est), 1867, Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Immigration Study Join us Wednesday evenings, April 8 – 29, 6 – 7 pm in Wesley Hall for Called to Journey, Called to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration — a four-week study from the United Methodist Church and Society Committee. Hear from Asbury First members with firsthand experience, explore what the church says about immigration, and learn how recent changes (ICE arrests in Monroe County jumped from 6 in 2024 to 226 in 2025) affect our neighbors and community. Come discover what we can do — as a church and as individuals.
Participants In the Service
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost Readers: Cindy Haag, Chris Haag, Judy Messenger, John Messenger, Ruth Phinney, Beth Rice, Dawn Riedy Artistic Coordinator: Lucy Winters Durkin Visuals Assistant: Logan Wadley Organist: Duane Prill Cello: Brian Donat Schola: Juli Elliot, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann, Mary Fetterman, Megan Ormsbee, Robert Cowles, Carl Johengen Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Production Suite Team: Kenny Bailey, Rick Church Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Rick Church Screen Rental and Setup: Michael Besaw, Highland Media Services
We apologize that this list may be incomplete due to our printing schedule.
Permissions: "Creator of the Stars of Night" words © The Church Pension Fund, choral arrangement © 1993 MorningStar Music Publishers; all other choral selections are in the Public Domain; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Bulletin Credits: Art and Design by David Stith
Earth Day Celebration Join us for a morning of inspiration and education at our Earth Day Celebration, April 25, from 10 am to 2 pm in the Gathering Center. Explore display tables and hear from local organizations dedicated to nature preservation, gardening, beekeeping, and more. Learn how you can care for creation and make a difference in our community. All are welcome to share the joy of spring and sustainability! Read more at asburyfirst.org/earth-day
Auditions for Don't Drink The Water Be a part of the next production by Asbury First Community Theatre. Auditions for Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" will be held Tuesday, April 7 at 6 pm in Fellowship Hall. Auditions are open to adults only (18 and over). Contact Larry Dugan at ldugan@asburyfirst.org for more information.
Join us as we begin Cherished Belonging by Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries — the world's largest gang-intervention program — built on the belief that we are all inherently good and we belong to each other, no exceptions. In this inspiring book, Boyle invites us into a vision of community rooted in kindness, healing, and equality, where "if love was a place, it would be Homeboy." Meets Wednesdays, 10 – 11:30 am in the Red Room of the COC. All are welcome!
Note: This production of Don’t Drink the Water is presented in the spirit of separating the art from the artist, and does not reflect an endorsement of the personal actions or views of its playwright, Woody Allen.
Wednesday Morning Study Group New Book Starting April 8!
We're so excited for Asbury First's Summer VBS! Children in grades Pre-K (age 4) through 5th grade are invited to join us August 3–6 from 9 am to Noon for fun, faith-filled days exploring the Bible through arts, crafts, games, and more! Registration fees can be paid online via credit card or bank account through this form, or select "Pay Later" to mail a check to Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Attn: John Ormsbee. For questions, email programs@asburyfirst.org.
The Storehouse Geranium Sale
Support the Storehouse by ordering beautiful geraniums from Chase Greenhouse! Available in red, white, purple, strawberry, and salmon, geraniums are priced at $5.25 each. Lush hanging baskets are also available at $25 each — or take advantage of our quantity discount and get 5 baskets for just $100! Orders will be accepted through April 22. Scan the QR code to access the order form. Pickup is Saturday, May 16, from 9 to 11:30 am in the Red Room of the COC. All proceeds benefit the Storehouse — thank you for your support!
Asbury First United Methodist Church 1050 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607 (585) 271-1050 asburyfirst.org
Staff Emails are typically first initial then last name @asburyfirst.org. (ex. mboguetrost@asburyfirst.org) Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost — Senior Minister, x125 Rev. Kathy Thiel — Minister for Congregational Care, x106 Position funded in part by the Rev. Susan Shafer Pastoral Care Fund Rev. Patrick Dupont — Minister for Outreach, x136 Michele Layher — Storehouse Coordinator Mike Mullin — Minister for Discipleship and Youth, x105 Dr. Carl Johengen — Director of Music Ministry, x134 Position funded in part by the Helen Fultz Music Fund Duane Prill — Principal Organist, x100 Position funded in part by the Craighead Fund David Strong — Assistant Organist Holly Temming — Operations Manager; Director of Children's Music, x114 Dan McInerney — Operations Associate Deb Bullock-Smith — Director of Operations, x117 John Ormsbee — Financial Controller, x107 Johnny Colón — Director of Property Care, x123 David Stith — Director of Communications, x109 Austin Retzlaff — Communications Assistant Jordan Cole — Hospitality Coordinator
FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining worship today, whether in person or online. Please sign in on the red fellowship pad and pass it down your pew. Our hope is to get to know you better and help you find your place within this community. You can also drop an email to info@asburyfirst.org. If you’re participating offsite, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL Large print bulletins and hymnals are available from the ushers. A hearing loop is available for those who have hearing aids with T switches, and you may also request earphones from the ushers to aid you in hearing the service. The screens located in the sanctuary now display the service stream to aid in visibility. Please help us welcome differently-abled worshipers and visitors by not interacting with or distracting service animals. Need prayer? Share your prayer requests by filling out one of the prayer cards found in the pews or by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All requests are prayed over by the Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Team. Children Children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in worship. Children will be invited forward during worship for a Children’s Time. Following this, children age 4 through 5th grade are invited to go with the children’s educators for Sunday School or return to their caretaker for the remainder of the service. RECONCILING STATEMENT Asbury First is a reconciling congregation and seeks to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. Read a full statement at asburyfirst.org/about-us/#reconciling-statement. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST Your generous gifts support everyday ministries and operations, allowing this church to live into the vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome gifts by check in the mail or a cash/check gift placed in the offering plate as it is passed to you. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online—Online giving is available on the website at asburyfirst.org/give. Venmo—You may give a gift through Venmo by finding “@givingasburyfirst” or by scanning the QR code to the right. Watch and listen The livestream of the 11 am service is found at asburyfirst.org/live-stream. Listen live on WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call this toll-free number: 833-829-1050. The video archive of past services is at asburyfirst.org/archive.
The Columbarium & Memorial Garden
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at (206) 222-1050, VENMO VIA THE QR CODE, OR MAIL IN A CHECK TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607 Facebook and instagram: @asburyfirstumc
Scan the QR code learn more or visit asburyfirst.org/columbarium
Spring is here, and with it, a first chance for the Memorial Garden to grow into its new home in the newly opened Columbarium, a sacred place to pray, reflect and meditate. Niches can be reserved for yourself or a loved one. Contact Kathy Thiel to reserve your niche or learn more at kthiel@asburyfirst.org or call (585) 271-1050 x106