Good Friday Worship Service | 4-7-23
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
GOOD FRIDAY
04-07-2023 7:00PM “Hybrid” Worship
This execution, the crucifixion of Jesus, occurred at midday. Roman
authorities always planned their executions for broad daylight, because they
wanted the condemned person to be absolutely humiliated before death…
they wanted crowds to witness the power of the state, its power to kill. But this
particular death seemed to attract its own darkness. Darkness at noon. It was
as if such a crime against the Son of God could not possibly happen in the
world of light. Over the years some have said and sung that the sun refused
to shine that sorrowful day.
The first Good Friday ended in darkness, both actual and internal, as
friends from a distance encountered the deep gloom of grief, an empty
hopelessness about their own future. But it did not stay that way forever!
Each year since, Good Friday is both a solemn and a joyous day. It is solemn
because we realize that the suffering we see on the cross is the innocent
suffering of a man for our own sin. We each bear some of the guilt of what
happened. But it is also a day of deep and lasting joy as we celebrate that
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is for our salvation and the salvation of the whole
world. Here is God’s victory over sin, death, and evil!
THE OPENING RITE:
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
C Have mercy on us.
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
C Have mercy on us.
L Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
C Grant us your peace.
L O Jesus our Christ, on this day, at this time, before that splintery cross, as we meditate on your suffering and death, we bow our heads and hearts because we remember our own sinfulness.
C We admit the truth of our individual and corporate betraying, deserting, denying, and crucifying ways.
L We ask you to deliver us from our sin and our death both during and at the end of our living on this earth.
C We pray that neither future, nor sin, nor death, nor anything else will ever separate us from your love.
Amen.
OPENING SONG: “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” Tan #456, all 4 verses
+ The First Word: “Forgiveness” (Luke 23:32-35) +
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
THE MEDITATION: Carol Lee
SONG: “Were You There?” Tan #254, verses 1+2
+ The Second Word: “Promise” (Luke 23:39-43) +
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”
THE MEDITATION: Kathy Nelson
SONG: “What Can Wash Away My Sin?” Tan #262, verses 1+2
+ The Third Word: “Concern” (John 19:25-27) +
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother there and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “DEAR WOMAN, HERE IS YOUR SON,” and to the disciple, “HERE IS YOUR MOTHER.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
THE MEDITATION: Timyk Hillsman
SONG: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Tan #243, verses 1+2
+ The Fourth Word: “Despair” (Mark 15:33-34) +
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” – which means, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
THE MEDITATION: Stephanie Fluellen
SONG SELECTION: “Precious Lord” Dr. Sara C. Blanford
+ The Fifth Word: “Suffering” (John 19:28-29) +
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I AM THIRSTY.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a stick of hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
THE MEDITATION: Herbert Crawford
SONG: “At the Cross” Tan #264, verses 1+2
+ The Sixth Word: “Victory” (John 19:30) +
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED.”
THE MEDITATION: Linda Crawford
SONG: “Down at the Cross” Tan #248, verses 1+2
+ The Seventh Word: “Surrender” (Luke 23:45-46) +
The sun stopped shining and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
THE MEDITATION: Trudi Wright
SONG: “Calvary” Tan #239, verses 1+2
SILENT REFLECTION…
CLOSING RITE:
L God forbid that I should glory,
C except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
L through whom the world is crucified to me,
C and I to the world.
L We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you:
C By your cross you have redeemed the world. Amen.
[There is no Benediction, no Closing Song. All may leave quietly.]