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A Service for Good Friday
A SERVICE FOR GOOD FRIDAY
~ THE WORDS FROM THE CROSS
V Rev Graeme Murray
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
In Him was life and that life was the Light of Life
THE CHRIST CANDLE IS LIT
This service is based on a 4th century service called Tenebrae, still used in many place around the world in Holy Week
Tenebrae means darkness. Here it refers to the darkness that Jesus entered as He bore the sin of the world on the Cross so that the light of hope might be ignited.
We will catch glimpses of that darkness in the 7 words Jesus spoke from the cross.
But it maybe that today our understanding of His suffering will be enlarged by the images of suffering we have seen on our TV screen and in our newspapers, of the hell humanity creates.
You will hear the tolling of a bell, throughout. At the end it will ring 9 times (“9 tailors”) as was custom in medieval times when a man died.
Hear the sound of an earthquake.
Proceeds without announcement
Remain seated throughout
Leave in silence
Call: Behold the Lamb of God…
He was pierced… (See Hand Out for Congregation)
Prayer
God of unimaginable grace and mercy, draw us now to the place where stands the Cross of Jesus. Not the cross of facile sentiment, empty Ritual or or solemn piety, but the Cross of sober reality, where we can be grasped again by a love that will suffer the worst that life can throw at us in order to resurrect us from the hell of our pride , selfishness and stupidity.
Lord Jesus, we do not know we cannot tell what pain you had to bear but we believe it was for us you hung and suffered there. Rescue us from the arrogance that refuses to take you seriously, the deceitfulness that thinks that our sins are of little significance, and the pride that believes we can make it without your help.
Jesus Lamb of God have mercy on us.
Jesus bearer of our sins have mercy on us
Jesus redeemer of the world, grant us your peace.
Song (Recorded) from Jerusalem Passion
As the swifts fly over the walls,
And the walls are alive with the echo of violent cries,
And the cries are alive with the torment and pain of mankind,
There the Lord is crucified.
O Lamb most pure, Your face of light
Brings all my darkness to your sight,
For you alone are wholly right
Your blood, Your blood, O Lamb of God,
Can make me holy white.
The small candles are lit and the lights dimmed
To set the scene consider some of the shadows that cast their darkness over Jesus. One or more over you?
THE SHADOWS
Shadow of betrayal – Mark 14:10-11
Shadow of inner agony – Mark 14:32-42
Shadow of desertion – Mark 14: 48-52
Shadow of accusation – Mark 14: 60-64
Shadow of mockery – Mark 14: 65
Shadow of denial – Mark 14: 66-72
Silence
Hymn (Tune:Passion Chorale)
O Sacred Head sore wounded, with grief and shame weighed down!
O Kingly Head surrounded, with thorns Thine only crown!
How pale art Thou with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!
O Lord of life and glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
I read the wondrous story; I joy to call Thee mine.
Thy grief and bitter passion were all for sinners” gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
THE SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS ARE: (Read in silence by the congregation)
“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.”
“TODAY YOU SHALL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE”
“WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON … SON BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER”
“MY GOD! MY GOD! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
“I THIRST”
“IT IS FINISHED”
“FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT”
THE FIRST WORD
Jesus had been stripped, and whipped, and attached with nails to a wooden cross. He was suffering the gibes and taunts of his captors. Yet his first words from the cross tell us that, even then, he was not thinking of himself but of others, and of their deepest need. And so, of the soldiers who were there doing their job, of the leaders who had plotted his death, of his friends in their bewilderment and self condemnation, and of the onlookers who waited and wondered, he said :
“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
( The bell is rung and one candle is put out)
Prayer
Sinless Lord, you prayed for the forgiveness of those who drove nails into your hands and feet, for the forgiveness of all who contributed to your crucifixion. Help us in our sinfulness to grasp the immensity of your love, even for those who despise, reject and hate you. In the face of trivial offences we are often hard and unforgiving. Self righteously we blame others for the sins of the world, the wrongs in society and even our own failings. But today, we would call to mind those who have hurt us and given us a hard time and pray that they may be forgiven, as we, in your name forgive them. For your sake. Amen.
Silence
Hymn
Tune “O perfect Love”
O word of comfort, through the silence stealing,
As the dread act of sacrifice began;
O infinite compassion, still revealing
The infinite forgiveness won for man .
O word of hope, to raise us nearer heaven,
When courage fails us, and when faith is dim;
The souls for whom Christ prays to Christ are given
To find their pardon and their joy in Him.
O Intercessor, who art ever living
To plead for dying souls that they may live
Teach us to know our sin which needs forgiving,
Teach us to know the love which can forgive.
THE SECOND WORD
The second word from the cross speaks to us of those who have begun to feel that their lives have been a colossal waste and have almost given up hope. Almost. The thief’s one desperate bid to get his life right brings an immediate response of love from Jesus. Can a woman’s tender care cease towards the child she bears? Can she ever forget? There is love available to the unlovable, forgiveness for the unforgivable. All those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
“Today you will be with me in Paradise”
(The bell is rung and one candle is put out)
Prayer
Merciful Lord, you promised paradise to a penitent thief. Help us to grasp the awful consequence of our sin and the immeasurable blessing of your forgiveness. Save us from the shallow optimism that says “She’ll be right” but which refuses to recognise the need for getting things right with you . We pray that your word of mercy will reach those who live on the edge of life, imprisoned by self hatred, anger and despair. For your sake. Amen .
Silence
Music/or Hymn
THE THIRD WORD
The mother of Jesus was there at the place of execution. There also, was Jesus’ beloved disciple. Can you imagine it? watching your son die. Maybe you have . Gently Jesus directs Mary’s attention away from himself to His beloved disciple. “Give your mother love to him now,” He says; just as He says to John, “Be a son to her now. Take her to your home and care for her.” Despite all Jesus pain and anguish he continues to think about others.
“Woman , Behold your son. Son behold your mother.”
(The bell is rung and one candle is put out)
Prayer
Compassionate Lord, as we stand at the cross with Mary and hear your caring words, still caring, when others provided nothing but pain and suffering for you , help us in our sinfulness to look beyond our own troubles to the needs of others. We pray for the mothers and fathers who grieve for their children that they will find loving ways of expressing,; and for the children who need to be loved that they will find it . For your sake. Amen,
Silence
Hymn (Tune:” Man of Sorrows’)
Man of Sorrows! wondrous Name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah! what a Saviour.
When He comes, our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing,
“Hallelujah! what a Saviour!”
THE FOURTH WORD
Jesus was a man human as we are human. He suffered the same agonies of body, mind and spirit as we do. He knew the high places and the low. We may not know, we cannot tell what pain the he had to bear, but we know that his footprints stretch before us when we walk into a desert. Feeling forsaken and abandoned, is always a hell of an experience except for the voice that whispers, “Even though I walk through shadowed Valley I will fear no evil for thou are with me”. The forsaken one always journeys with the forsaken ones, when they are compelled by life’s pain to say as he did:
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
(The bell is rung and one candle is put out)
Prayer
Long suffering Lord, you entered into the depths of dereliction beyond anything we can ever know. You entered the darkest, remotest place of alienation from God and others-all the consequences of our rebelliousness, so that we might find the path that leads to the light and joy of God’s loving presence. Help us in our sinfulness to hold onto the hope you give, even where there seems no hope. For your sake, Amen .
Silence
Hymn (Tune: Franconia)
When we in darkness walk,
Nor feel the heavenly flame,
Then is the time to trust our God,
And rest upon His name.
Soon shall our doubts and fears
Subside at His control;
His loving kindness shall break through
The midnight of the soul.
Blest is the man, O God,
That stays himself on Thee;
Who wait for Thy salvation, Lord,
Shall Thy salvation see.
THE FIFTH WORD
Jesus never pretended that suffering was an illusion or didn’t matter. He knew that it is costly, and that it is frustrating to the human spirit. The sight of someone suffering always moved him to compassion because he knew the reality of pain. But here on the cross, simply and humbly, he asked for help himself, and accepted the rough ministrations which would relieve his need. Thirsty, desperately thirsty. But far more than a thirst for drink. The parched lips, swollen tongue, the dry mouth, after six hours exposure to the suns worst heat bore no comparison to the longing in His heart for those, like us, who are so casual about the things of God, so off hand about discovering our true potential as people, so blasé about realizing our ultimate destiny as the sons and daughters of God. Jesus said:
“I thirst”
(The bell is rung one candle is put out)
Prayer
Suffering Lord you thirsted on the cross for us, that our true needs might be satisfied. Sharpen our awareness of how much is at stake for us and the whole human family when of our thirsting for life in all its fullness seeks satisfaction in the wrong places. Save us from the pride that refuses to ask for the quenching life giving water of the Spirit. Help us to recognise and respond to the pangs of thirst in those we meet. For your sake. Amen .
Silence
Music/Hymn
THE SIXTH WORD
It is gasped out by the athlete breasting the tape at the end of a grueling marathon and knowing the prize for winning will feed his hungry family. It is whispered by the rescue worker making one last and successful bid to reach the hand of a child who is caught in quick sand. And it was said, in like fashion by Jesus when He knew that the battle was over, and He had won. Just one word “Tetelestai!” Not the losers word, but the victors. The cry of triumphant exhaustion.
“It is Finished”
(The bell is rung and one candle is put out)
Prayer
Victorious Lord, we thank you for finishing the work you came to do. What we could never have accomplished, our own rescue from the destructive power of sin and evil, you have accomplished for us. “All for sin could not atone . You must save and You alone”. And you have done that. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, nothing in my hand I bring simply to Thy cross I cling . For your sake. Amen
Silence
Hymn (Tune: Horsley)
There is a green hill far away, without a city wall
Where the dear Lord was crucified who died to save us all
We may not know, we cannot tell what pains he had to bear
But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there
He died that we might be forgiven; He died to make us good
That we might go at last to heaven saved by His precious blood
There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate of Heaven and let us in
O dearly, dearly has He loved: and we must love Him too
And trust in His redeeming blood, and try his works to do.
THE SEVENTH WORD
The first and last words from the cross both began with the same word. There were no false heroics on the cross. Jesus did not die shouting defiance. All the way through he held onto the deep love of God, with the trust of a child who knows his father will not let him down. Even in the darkness and desolation He clings to the one thing He knows above all else. Nothing in life or death could separate Him from God’s love, and nothing could pluck Him from His Fathers hands. Nothing. So the agony on the cross begins and ends with the same word “Abba, Father”.
“Father into your hands I commend my Spirit”
Music/Hymn
The bell is rung and the last candle is put out
Prayer
Eternal Lord, like you we would entrust ourselves to our Father God. Living or dying, joyful or suffering, help us to commit our lives into your hands, knowing that n all things we are safe within your eternal care. We pray for those for whom the words “father” and “mother” cause such pain that they cannot grasp the wonder of your love. We pray that the light of your love will penetrate and disperse their darkness. and that they may know that nothing in life or death in things as they are or as they shall be, can separate them from it in Christ Jesus our Lord. For your sake. Amen .
And Jesus bowed His head and died
Song (Recorded) from Jerusalem Passion
As the swifts fly over the walls,
And the walls are alive with the echo of violent cries,
And the cries are alive with the torment and pain of mankind,
There the Lord is crucified.
O Lamb most pure, Your face of light
Brings all my darkness to your sight,
For you alone are wholly right
Your blood, Your blood, O Lamb of God,
Can make holy white.
Pause
The Strepitus (Earthquake)
Pause
The Nine Tailors (Bell tolls nine times)
Hymn (Tune: St Christopher)
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand -
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within a wilderness.
A rest upon the way.
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.
Upon that Cross of Jesus,
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
Two wonders I confess.
The wonder of His glorious love,
And my own worthlessness.
I take, O Cross, thy shadow
For my abiding peace;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain or loss -
My sinful self my only shame.
My glory all, the Cross.
THE BLESSING
After the blessing, you are invited to remain seated in silence until you are ready to leave, and to refrain from talking to others until you are outside the building
For further information, including bells and earthquake sound files, contact Graeme Murray <gmurray(at)paradise.net.nz>