Friday, April 7, 7PM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” – tune – “St. Christopher”
~ Frederick C. Maker, arr. John Duro
“The Last Hours” ~ Rex Koury
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – tune – “Hamburg”
~ arr. David Schack
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
CHORAL INTROIT
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing“Lamb of God” ~ TFWS # 2113
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Jennifer Hall
L: Come to this place apart to pray. God, who has given us life, meets us here.
P: Will God be revealed to us on this dark night?
L: Come, all who are weary and discouraged. God, whom you have trusted, has not deserted you.
P: Will God hear our cries and replenish our strength?
L: Come, all who have laid loved ones to rest. God, who grieves with us, watches with us now.
P: How shall we know love when Love is crucified?
L: We follow Jesus, in whom we see God’s image most clearly.
P: So, let us pray for strength and courage to follow Jesus wherever he will lead us this Good Friday.*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Jennifer Hall
Loving God, it is a dark day to be gathered here. It’s a barren place filled with shadow and death. May the cross become for us a mirror reflecting our own brokenness – but also our own love. We gather at the foot of the cross to commend our burdens, our brokenness, our failed dreams and future hopes. We gather to commend our very lives into your hands. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
*HYMN
“Were You There” ~ UMH #288JOYS AND CONCERNS
Pastor Jeffrey
THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS
THE FIRST WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
Luke 23:33-34
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
Compassionate God, you sent your Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Therefore, we pray for people everywhere according to their needs and commend our prayers into your hands. For Christ’s Holy Church throughout the world – for unity in faith, in witness and in service, for all Disciples of Christ. For the United Methodist Church and our Bishop. We pray you will confirm the Church in faith, increase it in love, and preserve it in peace. Amen.
THE SECOND WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
Luke 23:39-43
There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
For all creation, for the fragility, the interdependence, for the majesty and wonder, for the creatures, the plants, the indigenous peoples whose traditions teach us to truly value the earth, for the urgency of our call to active, loving stewardship. Open our hearts to love all that is blessed with the sacred breath of your spirit, and to confess that what you made is indeed good. Move us to live lightly and tread gently upon this earth, resisting the temptations of consumerism and waste, of destruction and pollution, that we may participate in the healing, the renewal, and liberation of your creation. Amen.
HYMN
“What Wondrous Love Is This” ~ UMH #292, v.1
THE THIRD WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
John 19:25-27
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.
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
For all children everywhere who suffer neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and hunger. Whose lives are compromised by poor education and inadequate healthcare. By your grace, may we comfort the afflicted, strengthen those who suffer, and with generous spirits give to everyone in need. Amen.
THE FOURTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
Mark 15:33-34
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
For the nations of this world and their leaders. For those who administer the law and all who serve in public office. For community activists and dissenters to the status quo who challenge the injustices of our flawed institutions and systems, and for all who strive for justice and reconciliation that they may be strengthened and challenged by a deeper knowledge of God’s compassion and mercy, of justice and peace and that by Your help the world may live in peace and freedom. Turn our hearts – and the hearts of all – to Love, that by the power of your Spirit the peace which is founded on justice may be established throughout the world. Amen.
HYMN
“What Wondrous Love Is This” ~ UMH #292, v.2
THE FIFTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
John 19:28
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
For those who suffer, those who are deprived and oppressed, for all who are sick, for those in darkness, in doubt and in despair, in loneliness and in fear, for those who have lost faith, for prisoners, captives and refugees, for the victims of false accusations and violence, and those facing the death penalty — for all at the point of death and those who keep vigil beside them. Sustain them in your grace; hold them in your love. Amen.
HYMN
“What Wondrous Love Is This” ~ UMH #292, v. 3
THE SIXTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
John 19:29-30
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.
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
For those of other faith traditions, for a greater understanding, for the removal of blindness and bitterness, for healing past hurts, and for an openness of heart where differences may become opportunities for an ever deeper understanding of the wonder of God and the sacred worth of every human being so that all may dwell together in mutual love and peace. Amen.
THE SEVENTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Jennifer Hall
Luke 23:46
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last.
INTERCESSION (IN UNISON)
Loving God, you took upon yourself the yoke of humanity and the burden of love and did not find it easy: let us learn from you to share the weight of this aching world, that our souls may be light, and our hearts rested. In the name of Jesus Christ, we commend our prayers into your hands. Amen.
HYMN
“What Wondrous Love Is This” ~ UMH #292, v. 4
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing
“I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked”
GOOD FRIDAY REFLECTION
Pastor Jeffrey
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing
“O How He Loves You and Me” ~ TFWS # 2108
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Chorale” – tune – “O Sacred Head”
~ arr. Max Reger
- Stand as you are able