Good Friday 3/29
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GOD WELCOMES ALL
We gather in silence.
Opening Prayer –
Let us pray,
God who asked for a drink, God who was killed by the state, God who offered love and grace even from the cross— we are at a loss for words. What do we do with this day? The air is heavy. Our hearts are heavy. The suffering of this world feels particularly close, spilling out all over us. And yet, even in this space, we know you are moving. Even in this space,
we know that this is not the end. Give us the heart to hear this story and the courage to let it change us, through the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
HYMN
Go to Dark Gethsemane | ELW #347, v 1-3
Introduciton to Service
HYMN
Stay with me | ELW #348
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS
THE WORD OF FORGIVENESS
Luke 23:32-38
RESPONSE
O, Christ, What Can It Mean for Us | ELW #431 v1, 3-4
PRAYER
Let us pray, Gracious Lord, you are the king no one wanted. You lead with mercy and reign with humility, even when it leads to your death. We pray “your kingdom come,” but do we remember the kind of kingdom you lead? Help us to trust you above all the other powers in this world, to claim you as the different king that you are. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Silence for meditation
First candle is extinguished.
THE WORD OF SALVATION
Luke 23:39-43
RESPONSE
Meditation by Massenet | violin
PRAYER
Let us pray, O Lord, we are like that rebel that cried out to you in hope. We cry out for mercy, a gift only you can give. May we turn to you and tell you the truth. May we taste paradise, even here. May we entrust our very lives into your gracious hands. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Silence for meditation
Second candle is extinguished.
THE WORD OF RELATIONSHIP
John 19:25-27
RESPONSE
Where Charity and Love Prevail | ELW #359 v1-3
PRAYER
Let us pray, Lord Jesus, the presence of your mother at the cross reminds us that you are not only the Savior dying for the sake of the world; you are also fully human, a son with a mother. We trust that your heart breaks for all who have lost parents, for all who have lost children, for all who feel alone in their grief; we give thanks for the love that somehow shows up, even in the depths of sorrow. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Silence for meditation
Third candle is extinguished.
REFLECTION
Pastor Sarah
THE WORD OF ABANDONMENT
Mark 15:33-34
RESPONSE
Offering of the Spikes
PRAYER
Let us pray, Lord Jesus, we will never fully grasp your agony, and your feeling of abandonment by your Father, but when we hear these words from the cross, we know that you understand when we, too, feel abandoned by God. Your honesty makes us feel held, even when we feel alone. Thank you for allowing yourself to be forsaken so that we will never be forsaken. Amen.
Silence for meditation
Fourth candle is extinguished.
THE WORD OF DISTRESS
John 19:28-29
RESPONSE
Ave Verum by Mozart | Grace Choir
PRAYER
Let us pray, O Lord, on the cross you suffered not only extraordinary pain, you also experienced extreme thirst. In your words, “I am thirsty,” we hear the cry of our own hearts. We, too, are thirsty. Some of us for physical drink; some of us for love; some of us for the refreshment of your Spirit. We are thirsty, Lord, for you. Amen.
Silence for meditation
Fifth candle is extinguished.
THE WORD OF TRIUMPH
John 19:30a
RESPONSE
There in God’s Garden | ELW #342 v1, 3, 5
(Choir sings v4)
PRAYER
Let us pray, Saving Lord, you completed that for which you had been sent – faithful in life, faithful in death. You accomplished what no one else could, following the call of love even to the point of death. We thank you, gracious and selfless Lord, for saving us from ourselves, for completing the work of salvation. Amen.
Silence for meditation.
Sixth candle is extinguished.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
RESPONSE
Were You There | ELW #342 v1-3, 5
THE WORD OF REUNION
Luke 23:46a
RESPONSE
Elegie – Faure | cello
CLOSING PRAYER
Jesus of the unexpected, for at least some of your life this was not how you imagined its end. Yet even at the very end, you kept steady in your conviction. Steady in your love. So Jesus, keep us steady. Jesus, keep us steady. Oh Jesus, keep us steady. Amen.
Seventh candle is extinguished.
Through God’s love, the end is never the end. But for tonight, we stay in the horror and darkness of this night. And we rest tomorrow. And then we return on Sunday morning, to witness again what the love of God does with death and despair. Holy Saturday online Zoom service. Easter morning worship times are 7:30am (sunrise service) and 9:30am (festive Easter service). See you then!
WE LEAVE IN SILENCE.