Good Friday 21 March 2008 - MS Black WatchToday the carpenter's hands are nailed to a cross.Hands that once fashioned wood are now fastened to wood. He who sought no crown now wears a crown of thorns, and the purple robe of monarchy becomes a mockery. Today he sets us free, himself imprisoned on a tree. Today is God's Friday. We come in worship. HYMN: My song is love unknownGood Friday God,look graciously, we pray, on us your people. On this day of passion, of tears and desolation, may we walk with Jesus to the cross - and see beyond the cross to meet with the living Christ. Amen First reading - Luke 23: 1-12Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king." followed by silent reflection for a momentHYMN:
Second reading - Luke 23: 13 - 25Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him." With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) followed by silent reflection for a momentWere you there when they shouted "crucify!" ? Third reading - Luke 23: 26-38As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" , and to the hills, "Cover us!" ' For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" followed by silent reflection for a momentWere you there when they nailed him to the tree? Fourth reading - Luke 23: 39-49One 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." followed by silent reflection for a momentWere you there when he bowed his head and died? ReflectionLet us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church of God throughout the world, that God may guide us and gather the church together to be a sign of reconciling love. God of power and love defender of the poor and oppressed, call to account the rulers of this world, so that people everywhere may enjoy justice, peace, and freedom, and a fair share of the goodness of creation. Let us pray for people, old or young, who are sick or dying, people who are homeless or in prison, and for people who suffer from hunger or violence. God of power and love, strength of the weary, hope of the despairing, hear the cries of your suffering children and give us the courage to show forth your love by our lives. We pray in the name of Christ our Saviour. Amen. HYMN: O Lord of our salvationThe Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. HYMN: The Love that clothes itself in lightMay the living God remind us that this was not an ending but a beginning.Light and love have filled our hearts and the darkness shall not overcome. Lord, we believe: help us where faith falls short. The service ends in silence |