Good Friday Worship
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray…
People: Lord Jesus Christ, you who were led forth into the pain of the cross for the salvation of the world: Help us to enter into your passion and death, forgive us all our sin, and bring us to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “What Wondrous Love is This” vs 1-3
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great ‘I am’;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
THE FIRST WORD: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”
Luke 23:32-34
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: Most blessed Jesus, through your suffering, you paid for our sins. Give us a deep hatred of sin. Grant us a tender spirit toward sinners, and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Teach us to confess our own sin and to seek reconciliation with those whom we have sinned against, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
Beneath the cross of Jesus I long to 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 burdens of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus, my eye at times can see
the very dying form of one who suffered there for me.
And from my contrite heart, with tears, two wonders I confess:
the wonder of his glorious love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, your shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame, my glory all, the cross.
THE SECOND WORD: “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”
Luke 23:43
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: Most blessed Lord Jesus, you forgave the thief on the cross. Look on us with mercy and compassion. Give us a strong faith in you, a humble remembrance of our sins, and the strength to confess you before others, and so wash us in your blood that we may share in your glory forever, through Jesus Christ, your only beloved Son, and our Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “Amazing Grace”
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
THE THIRD WORD: “Woman behold your Son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” John 19:26–27
26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: O most Holy Lord Jesus, you left us an example of holy love by leaving your mother in the care of the disciple. Purify our own feelings and pour out your blessings on our homes and relationships. Comfort the homeless, and cause us to act tenderly toward them, and bring us to your home above, where we with your mother and all the saints may worship and adore you with your Father and the Holy Spirit forever.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “The Old Rugged Cross” vs 1-2
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross
The emblem of suff’ring and shame
And I love that old Cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
Oh, that old rugged Cross so despised by the world
Has a wondrous attraction for me
For the dear Lamb of God, left his Glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary (Chorus)
THE FOURTH WORD: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:45-47
45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: O blessed Lord Jesus, you bitterly suffered alone on the cross and experienced the anguish of separation. Come, and be with us in times of despair and loneliness, and transform our sadness into fellowship with you. We pray also for our sisters and brothers throughout the world who experience alienation, oppression, and aloneness. Comfort and support them with your presence, and bring them to a place of rest in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a tribute far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!
THE FIFTH WORD: “I thirst” John 19:28
28Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: O most blessed Jesus, you who thirsted and experienced pain for us. Kindle in our hearts a thirst for you that we may love and serve you and lead others to find their rest in you. Remember, O Lord, all the sick and dying and deliver them from pain, granting them a happy ending through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us we pray. Amen.
(Silence)
HYMN “It is Well” vs 1-3
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll,
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
It is well (it is well)
with my soul, (with my soul,)
it is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. (Refrain)
He lives–oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! (Refrain)
THE SIXTH WORD: “It is finished” John 19:30
30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
MESSAGE
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: O most blessed Savior, you proclaimed the perfect fulfillment of your work and bowed your wounded head in completion. Work in us the grace of your salvation that we might live in union with you. And whatever good work you have begun in us, continue it throughout our days that we might be full of your calling and be patient in doing well to others through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”
Alas! And did my Savior bleed,
and did my sov’reign die?
Would he devote that sacred head
for sinners such as I?
Was it for sins that I had done
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
and love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide
and shut its glories in
when God, the mighty maker,
died for his own creatures’ sin.
Thus might I hide my blushing face
while his dear cross appears,
dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
and melt my eyes to tears.
But tears of grief cannot repay
the debt of love I owe;
here, Lord, I give myself away:
’tis all that I can do.
THE SEVENTH WORD: “Father into thy hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
THE HOMILY
(Silence)
THE PRAYER
Leader: O most blessed Savior, you gave up your precious life to atone for sin and conquer the powers of evil. Grant us the power to live in your name. Do not forsake us in our hour of need. Confirm our faith, deepen our repentance, and strengthen us with your body and blood, and may we come to that heavenly rest where you dwell forever with your Father in the fellowship of the Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us,
People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen.
HYMN “Just As I Am” vs 1-4
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
THE CLOSING PRAYER
Leader: O most blessed Jesus, Son of the living God: See us poor sinners through your passion and death, forgive us our sins, which we have committed against you and our neighbor. Give us eternal life and everlasting joy through the blood of your cross. We give ourselves to you in faith and submission. Keep us always as your own and grant us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.