and Meditation on the Story of ’ Death

April 2, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom

Image by John Stuart, stushieart.com

The worship of the three days of , Good Friday and are often considered one continuous service, as we move from the and betrayal to the Resurrection. On Thursday – called Maundy Thursday after the command (mandatum in Latin) to love one another – we read of the servant love of Jesus at the last supper. On Good Friday – called good because by his death Jesus defeated sin, death and evil - we hear the story of his betrayal, condemnation and crucifixion. On Saturday we pause in the still moment between death and life. An Vigil may welcome the celebration of the resurrection; we will share an prepared by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Greeting and Prayer of the Day

On this day we gather to remember Jesus our Savior who loved us and gave himself for us. Let us draw near in full assurance of God’s endless love and mercy.

We give our thanks and praise to Jesus Christ who carries our sorrows, heals our wounds, and redeems us from sin and death. ~ written by Marlene Kropf, in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross: Good Friday Service. Posted on Mennonite Church Canada Resource Centre website.

Let us pray: Redeeming Creator, Dust and rocks groan. Deserts and prairies weep. Bushes and trees moan. Rivers and oceans roar. Animals of land, sea, and sky recoil. Sun cowers and moon wanes. Humanity fails. And darkness laughs. But it will not have its way with us forever. Amen

Opening O Sacred Head Now Wounded ~ ELW 351

1

Readings, , and Meditations – The Passion according to Luke

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus – Luke 22: 47-53

O God, who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

Music: Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley ~ Douglas Wagner; Hallelujah Ringers

Peter Denies Jesus – Luke 22: 54-62

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope. Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance. Where impossibilities close every door and window, grant imagination and resistance. Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination. Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams. All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

Music: I Know Him Not ~ Larry Shackley; Nathan Cleaveland on piano Image: Peter’s Denial ~ Anton Robert Leinweber (1845-1921)

Jesus is Beaten and Condemned – Luke 22: 63-71, 23: 13-25

O Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame: Grant us grace to walk in trust and faithfulness through the suffering of this present time. Give us courage to follow our Lord and ease the burdens of others, giving ourselves in service to the world.

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

2

Music: Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted ~ Sandra Eithun; Hallelujah Ringers and Nathan Cleaveland on piano

Simon and Some Women Join Jesus in Grief – Luke 23: 26-31

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

Music: Land of Rest ~ Anne K. Organ Hallelujah Ringers and Nathan Cleaveland on piano

Two Criminals are Crucified with Jesus – Luke 23: 32-43

Holy One, you do not distance yourself from the pain of your people, but in Jesus you bear that pain with all who suffer at others’ hands. You do not ask what is deserved or not deserved, but offer grace and hope to all who turn to you.

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

Music: What Wondrous Love is This ~ Douglas Wagner; Hallelujah Ringers Image: Jesus With Two Thieves ~ Thomas M. Ouseph

Jesus Dies on the Cross – Luke 23: 44-49

Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross

All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

3

Music: Adagio for Strings ~ Samuel Barber; Nathan Cleaveland on organ Image: Ancona Crucifixion ~ Titian, 1558

Jesus is Buried – Luke 23: 50-55

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Behold our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross All: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you By your holy cross you have redeemed the world

Music: Were You There ~ arr. Anna Laura Page; Hallelujah Ringers Image: Byzantine Icon

Benediction

Jesus, we wait here by your tomb carrying our grief; the grief of the betrayer, the grief of the denier, the grief of the frightened mob. We carry the grief of the lost, the heartbroken, the bereft. Upon you was laid the grief of us all. It is finished.

God of endings, God of darkness, God of the tomb, God of dark days and great loss, be with us now as we wait with Jesus.

All: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

— written by Carole Penner, and posted on her Leading in Worship blog. Image by John Stuart, stushieart.com

4