Good Friday Is Second Only to Easter in Importance in the Life of the Church

Welcome and Instructions

It is my personal conviction that Good Friday is second only to Easter in importance in the life of the church. Few would deny that Easter is preeminent; but many may argue that Christmas, or maybe even Pentecost, are second. Christmas is, after all, the day on which we celebrate the Incarnation, the coming of God to earth as a human child. Pentecost is the “birthday of the Church”, the day on which, as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit fell upon the gathered faithful and initiated them into a new thing. But if the Church is fundamentally about being a people of Resurrection and new life, we cannot get there without death. We cannot get to Sunday without Friday. We must not simply celebrate Easter without grappling with the sinfulness of humanity that led to the execution of Jesus. It is my hope that you will reverently walk through this hard service. The readings and accompanying music may unsettle you, but that’s okay. Hard things aren’t bad; they’re just hard.

Woven into this devotion is a recording of the Requiem of Gabriel Fauré, a renowned work that is often performed on Good Friday. Our suspension of in-person worship affords us this unexpected opportunity to engage the story of Jesus’s arrest and execution in conversation with this beautiful composition. I hope that you will find it as moving and ethereal as I do. Please know that the Requiem is rooted in the Roman Catholic Mass for the dead, a liturgy offered sometimes in the context of a funeral. While the theology and lyrics of the Requiem may not be familiar to UCC folks who didn’t grow up Catholic, I hope that you will find that it speaks to you nonetheless.

I encourage you to engage in this devotion only after the sun has set. Extinguish or dim the lights around you. Gather seven candles if you have them. Sit somewhere comfortable, but where you can put the seven candles within easy reach. Light them when instructed. Extinguish them when instructed. Allow yourself to rest within the ambiguity and discomfort of Friday, that Sunday may be that much more unexpected and, ultimately, joyful at that moment when Mary receives the Good News. –Pastor Chris

Centering Music Miroirs, V. “La vallée des cloches” M. Ravel Koki Sato selected this musical offering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOGVErm4rQc

Sentences One: Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Many: Anyone who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Light your seven candles as you listen to “What Wondrous Love”.

Hymn “What Wondrous Love” arr. Parker/Shaw This is a choral arrangement and performance; you may be more comfortable just listening. You may notice that the lyrics are more traditional than what we have in our hymnal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yuppZeosFA

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul? What wondrous love is this O my soul? What wondrous love is this 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, O my soul. 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.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on , I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on!

The Story of Christ’s Passion According to the Gospel of Mark with a reading from John The Fauré Requiem is a 1996 performance, considered definitive, conducted by Michel Corboz. If you wish to read a translation of the Latin lyrics, click the following. http://lyricbod.blogspot.com/2009/02/requiem-gabriel-faure.html

The Fauré Requiem: Introit et Kyrie Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGondtiSY5g&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=2&t=0s

Requiem æternum dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat, luceat, luceat eis, luceat eis. Requiem æternum dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiem æternum dona, dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalum. Exaudi, exaudi orationem meam; ad te omnis caro veniet, omnis caro veniet. Kyrie, Kyrie, Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison, eleison, eleison. Christe, Christe, Christe eleison. Christe, Christe eleison, eleison, eleison, eleison.

The Authorities Arrest Jesus - Mark 14:43-52 Read this silently or aloud. Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." 50 All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. 3

Extinguish the first candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: Offertorium Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLlmw1ryVCU&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=3&t=0s

O Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae Libera animas defunctorum De poenis inferni et de profundo lacu O Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae Libera animas defunctorum de ore leonis Ne absorbeat tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum Hostias et preces tibi Domine laudis offerimus: Tu suscipe pro animabus illis Quarum hodie memoriam facimus Fac eas, fac eas, Domine Demorete transire ad vitam Quam olim Abrahae promisisti Promisisti et semini eius O Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae Libera animas defunctorum de poenis inferni De poenis inferni, et de profundo la cu: Ne cadant in obscurum Amen, Amen, Amen

The Soldiers Mock Jesus - Mark 15:16-20 Read this silently or aloud. Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Judeans*!" 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Extinguish the second candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: Sanctus Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqBY8UQR1k&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=4&t=0s

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus, Sanctus Dominus, Dominus Deus, Dominus Deus, Deus Sabaoth, Deus Sabaoth. Sanctus Dominus Deus, Deus, Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra, Gloria, gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis, in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis, in excelsis. Sanctus.

The Romans Crucify Jesus – Mark 15:21-24 Read this silently or aloud. They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

Extinguish the third candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: Pie Jesu Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia5Aic7aN2Q&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=5&t=0s

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem. Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem. Dona eis domine, dona eis requiem, sempiternam requiem, sempiternam requiem, sempiternam requiem. Pie Jesu, Jesu, pie Jesu Domine, dona eis, dona eis, sempiternam requiem, sempiternam requiem.

The People Mock Jesus - Mark 15:25-32 Read this silently or aloud. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Judeans." 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

Extinguish the fourth candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: Agnus Dei Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5KJjUBYGxM&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=6&t=0s

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona, dona eis requiem, sempiternam requiem. Lux æterna luceat eis, luceat eis domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. Requiem æternum dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat, luceat, luceat eis

Jesus Dies - Mark 15:33-41 Read this silently or aloud. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a 6

loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Extinguish the fifth candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: Libera Me Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjz8DTC1qGs&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=7&t=0s

Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda, in die illa. Quando coeli movendi sunt, quando coeli movendi sunt et terra. Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. Tremens, tremens factus sum ego, et timeo, dum discussio venerit at que ventura ira. Dies illa, dies iræ, calamitatis et miseriæ. Dies illa, dies magna et amara, amara valde. Requiem æternum donna eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis, luceat eis. Libera me, Domine, de morte æternum, in die illa tremenda, in die illa. Quando coeli movendi sunt, quando coeli movendi sunt et terra. Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna. libera me, Domine.

The Body of Jesus Is Laid to Rest – Mark 15:42-47 Read this silently or aloud. When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some 7

time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Extinguish the sixth candle and pause.

The Fauré Requiem: In Paradisum Gabriel Fauré Listen to the song before you read the Scripture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOxQUYclCg&list=PLL6a4T3IO-vqgeDT0p8GJAET1P- ZiW1mw&index=8&t=0s

In paradisum deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem, æternam habeas requiem.

A Final Reading - John 1:1-14; 3:19 Read this silently or aloud. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 8

Extinguish the seventh candle and pause.

Hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arr. Gilbert Martin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEOLUnoQdmQ

Just close your eyes and listen in the dark. Stop the playback when the song after the resounding “Amen” (to cut off the applause).

Silence Engage at least five minutes of intentional silence. Then conclude your time of devotion.

Closing Music Le Secret, Op. 23, No. 3 G. Fauré https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnDSMa7isZM

Acknowledgements Koki Sato selected the prelude, postlude, and the specific recording of the Requiem. The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved. * “Judeans” has been substituted for “Jews” because the Greek word points to people who lived in the region of Judea (once the tribe of Judah), which is not quite the same thing as people who identify as Jewish today. Given how “the Jews” has been used to demonize Jewish people throughout Christian history, “King of the Judeans” expresses sensitivity to this and seeks to avoid committing the sin of anti-Semitism.

 First Congregational Church UCC, Anoka, MN  1923 Third Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303  (763)421-3375 Pastor – Rev. Chris McArdle Director of Music Ministries – Don Shier Keyboardist – Koki Sato Pastor of Ministerial Support – Rev. Curt Johnson Moderator – Dan Norrick Website: http://www.uccanoka.org  Email: [email protected]

First Congregational Church, UCC of Anoka is an Open and Affirming Christian Community for all. We affirm that the image of God is most fully reflected in diversity. We invite all people to share their energy and talents in full participation with our community. We welcome all individuals and families of any sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, relationship status, race, national origin, socioeconomic status, age, mental and physical health or ability, or belief. Together, we celebrate these and all other facets of one’s essential being.