GOOD FRIDAY
SERVICE OF DARKNESS
Tenebrae
The minister enters in silence.
The Tenebrae candles are lit.
GOSPEL John 19:17-30
M: A reading from the Gospel of St. John:
Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 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.
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 the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: God Most Holy, look with mercy on this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, be given over into the hands of the wicked, and suffer death upon the cross. Keep us always faithful to him, our only Savior, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God.
C: Amen.
CHOIR “Lamb of God”
CATECHISM
M: THE SEVENTH PETITION
C: But deliver us from evil.
M: What does this mean?
C: In conclusion we pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would deliver us from every evil that threatens body and soul, property and reputation, and finally when our last hour comes, grant us a blessed end and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to himself in heaven.
FIRST WORD FROM THE CROSS
Luke 23:33-34
32 Two other men, who were criminals, were led away with Jesus to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” They cast lots to divide his garments among them.
The first candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#304 v. 1) “Jesus Sinners Doth Receive”
Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and heaven wandered!
Here is hope for all who grieve—
Jesus sinners doth receive!
SECOND WORD FROM THE CROSS
Luke 23:35-43
35 The people stood watching. The rulers were ridiculing him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also made fun of him. Coming up to him, they offered him sour wine, 37 saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription written above him: “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? 41 We are punished justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.”
The second candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#215 v. 1 &5) “Jerusalem, My Happy Home”
Jerusalem, my happy home,
When shall I come to thee?
When shall my sorrows have an end?
Thy joys when shall I see?
O Christ, do thou my soul prepare
For that bright home of love
That I may see thee and adore
With all thy saints above
THIRD WORD FROM THE CROSS
John 19:25-27
25 Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were standing near the cross. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother!” And from that time this disciple took her into his own home.
The third candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#429 v. 4) “What God Ordains Is Always Good”
What God ordains is always good.
Though I the cup am drinking
Which savors now of bitterness
I take it without shrinking.
For after grief God grants relief,
My heart with comfort filling
And all my sorrow stilling.
FOURTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Matthew 27:45-49
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, there was darkness over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “This fellow is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, took a sponge, and soaked it with sour wine. Then he put it on a stick and gave him a drink. 49 The rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
The fourth candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#127, v. 3) “Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted”
If you think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here you see its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed;
See who bears the awful load—
‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.
FIFTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
John 19:28-29
28 After this, knowing that everything had now been finished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there. So they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
The fifth candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#139 v. 5) “Jesus, in Your Dying Woes”
Jesus, in Thy thirst and pain,
While Thy wounds Thy life-blood drain,
Thirsting more our love to gain:
Hear us, holy Jesus.
SIXTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
John 19:30a
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished!”
The sixth candle is extinguished.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#104 v. 3) “Go to Dark Gethsemane”
Calvary’s mournful mountain climb;
There, adoring at his feet,
Mark that miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete.
“It is finished!” hear Him cry;
Learn of Jesus Christ to die.
SEVENTH WORD FROM THE CROSS
Luke 23:44-46
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun was darkened. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The seventh candle is carried from the chancel.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
HYMN (#138 v. 1&5) “Oh, Perfect Life of Love”
O perfect life of love!
All, all is finished now,
All that He left His throne above
To do for us below.
In perfect love He dies;
For me He dies, for me.
O all-atoning Sacrifice,
I cling by faith to Thee.
THE SENTENCE:
M: Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the name that is above every name.
BIDDING PRAYER
M: Let us pray for the whole Church, that our gracious Father would defend her from the devil and keep her faithful to her Lord.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you have revealed your saving name to the world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Protect us from the assaults of the evil one, and help us remain faithful to your Word so that in every adversity we may stand firm in our faith and give ourselves fully to our Savior’s work, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for those who serve in the public ministry and for all people of God.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you rule over all things for the good of your people. Preserve us from divisive spirits and false teachers. Give your servants the grace to proclaim Christ joyfully in word and deed so that all who hear them may come to know their Savior better and be strengthened for their lives of service, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for those who are being instructed in the Word, that they remain firm in the simple faith of Baptism.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you make us your own dear children by the washing of rebirth and renewal in the Holy Spirit. Give strength to all who are buried with Christ in Baptism, that each day they may die to sin and rise again to live new and holy lives, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for our earthly government, our rulers, and all who are in authority.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you have established earthly government to keep a measure of order in this dying world and to protect us from the disorder of sin. Give to all rulers the wisdom to govern well and to all citizens the desire to obey them, so that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray that our gracious Father would protect us and our communities from the many earthly calamities that threaten us.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, on all sides we are surrounded by danger from wars and famine, from disease and pestilence, with the devil begrudging us every minute of our lives. Protect us from all these miseries so that your name may still be glorified in them and so that we may safely pass through them to your heavenly kingdom, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for those who are outside the Church, that they may come to know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, your Son was lifted up on the cross so that he might draw all people to himself. Through the proclamation of your Word, mercifully gather from the nations a people that are your very own, that we may join together around your throne in glory to praise and thank you forever, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for our enemies and for all those who hate us.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, no one can harm us without grieving you, whose name we bear. We ask that you would change the hearts of those who work against us and who hate us without reason. Give them repentance and faith so that they may be glad with us and find joy in your love, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us pray for all who suffer under cross and trial.
M: Almighty and everlasting God, you sent your Son into the world to bear our griefs and to carry our sorrows. Help those who are suffering for your name’s sake and who are struggling against temptation, that they may not be overwhelmed with sadness but find relief in your grace, through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask in the words he himself has taught us.
LORD’S PRAYER:
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
forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN (#120) “What Wondrous Love is This”
1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
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.
3 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.
4 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 his love for me,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.
The Passion History of Our Lord
The Burial
M: Going to Pilate, Joseph of Aramathea asked for the body of Jesus.
Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he had learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. He took the body down and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, which he had bought. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
C: Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices,
in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
M: At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in
the garden a new tomb cut out of rock in which no one had ever
been laid. They laid Jesus there because it was nearby and also because it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
C: Joseph rolled a big stone in front of the entrance of the tomb
and went away. The women went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
M: The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and
the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that
while he was still alive that imposter said, ‘After three days I will
rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until
the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body
and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last
deception will be worse than the first!”
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as
you know how.”
C: So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the
stone and posting a guard.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
M: We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
C: By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
SILENCE FOR MEDITATION
The minister exits the chancel.
The Congregation Disperses Quietly (without ushers).
We will gather outside the front entrance
tomorrow at 7 p.m. for the Easter Vigil.
Good Friday Tenebrae
The service tonight is taken from an early Christian service called Tenebrae. The name Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows.” During the service, candles are extinguished until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains. As it gets darker and darker we reflect on the darkness of God’s judgment that enveloped our Lord on the cross. At the conclusion of the service, the final candle is removed for a time, signifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil over good. The final candle is never extinguished because death did not conquer our Lord Jesus.
