<p> Good Friday April 14, 2017 Prelude Welcome and Reading The First Lesson John 18:1-11 *Opening Prayer Today the carpenter’s hands are nailed to a cross, the King of kings is crowned with thorns and wears the purple robe of mockery. Today he sets us free, himself imprisoned on a tree. Today is God’s Friday. We come in solemn worship. [A moment of silence is observed] Amen.</p><p>*Solemn Reproaches of the Cross Leader: O my people, O my church, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? Answer me. I led you forth from the land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: What more could I have done for you that I have not done? I planted you, my chosen and fairest vineyard, I made you the branches of my vine; but when I was thirsty, you gave me vinegar to drink, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I raised you on high with great power, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a sign of my love, but you draw the sword to strike in my name and seek high places in my kingdom. I offered you my body and blood, but you scatter and deny and abandon me, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters; I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. People: Lord, have mercy. *Hymn #98 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded The Word of the Lord Prayer for Illumination </p><p>The Second Lesson John 19:38-42 Meditation “Laid to Rest” Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Hughes Closing Prayer (from Hebrews 12:1-3) Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely. Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that we may not grow weary or lose heart. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, your suffering servant and our only hope of salvation, who taught his disciples to pray… 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. </p><p>Going Into the World Hymn #99 Throned Upon the Awful Tree (verses 1, 2, and 3) At the conclusion of the hymn, the congregation departs in silence. </p>