Watchword for Good Friday
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. (John 3:16)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2016)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
This is the day when life is raw, quivering,
terrifying: the day of numbed emotions,
the day of blunt nails and splintered wood,
of bruised flesh and blood shed.
This is the day we loathe,
when all is made meaningless.
This is the day we long for,
when pretences fall away.
This is the day whose story
reassures us with the eternal truth:
even the worst that we can do
cannot kill your love.
Hymn 403 * Were you there…?
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
LITANY of RECONCILIATION
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God, and so, together, we pray:
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race
from race, class from class, Father, forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to
possess what is not their own, Father, forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human
hands and lays waste the earth, Father, forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of
others, Father, forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned,
the homeless, the refugee, Father, forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men,
women and children, Father, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves
and not in God, Father, forgive.
The Seven Last Words of Jesus
St. Luke 23:33-34a NT p. 112
“Forgive them, Father!”
REFLECTION: Forgiveness
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
St. Luke 23:34b-43 NT p. 113
“Today you will be in paradise with me.”
REFLECTION: Solidarity
Hymn 685 1+4+5 For everyone born, a place…
(Hymn of the Month, March 2016)
St. John 19:23-27 NT p. 143
“He is your son. … She is your mother.”
REFLECTION: Caring for loved ones
Hymn 694 1 + 3-5 Brother, sister, let me serve
(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)
AFFIRMATION of FAITH (Philippians 2:5 f)
The attitude we should have
is the one that Christ Jesus had:
He always had the nature of God,
but he did not think that by force
he should try to remain equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own free will
he gave up all he had and took the nature of
a servant. He became a human being and
appeared in human likeness. He was
humbled and walked the path of obedience
all the way to death – his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the
highest place above and gave him the name
that is greater than any other name.
And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all
beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world
below will fall on their knees, and all will
openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father. Amen.
St. Mark 15:29-34 NT p. 70
“My God, my God, why did you abandon me?”
REFLECTION: Abandonment
Hymn 385 * Here hangs a man discarded
(Tune: Passion Chorale, No. 382)
St. John 19:28-30 NT p. 144
“I am thirsty.” “It is finished.”
REFLECTION: Bodily needs / Letting go
PRAYERS for the WORLD
R: Lord Jesus,
by your passion and death, deliver us.
COMMUNION PRAYER
God be with you, and also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to God.
Let us give thanks to God Most High.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
…With the faithful in every place and time, we
praise with joy your holy name:
Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty,
the whole universe speaks of your glory,
O God Most High.
… we may continue faithful in all things. In the
strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves
to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you
have called us to serve you. Amen.
BREAKING of BREAD
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as
we forgive those who trespass against us. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
SHARING the ELEMENTS
(please come forward for communion)
St. Luke 23:44-49 NT p. 113
“Father, in your hands I place my spirit!”
REFLECTION: Trust
Hymn 374 * This is our God, the Servant King
BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)
ORGAN POSTLUDE