(Service at 6:30pm)
Greeting:
L: God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
All: Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
L: And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,
All: and we loved the darkness rather than the light.
Instrumental – Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence – UMH 626
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly-minded.
Prayer:
Almighty God, graciously behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen
First Word of Jesus from the cross – Luke 23:32-34
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. When they came to the place that is called, “The Skull” they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Prayer of Confession:
Holy and awesome God, on this night as we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, we stand in your presence filled with regret for our many sins and failings. We have sinned against you and done evil in your sight. We have transgressed your holy laws and disregarded your Word.
Father, forgive us
Lamb of God, we have betrayed you, denied you, disregarded your word, and worked against your work of grace in the world and among us.
Jesus, forgive us.
Give us grace and power to put away all hurtful things. Deliver us from the bondage of sin so that we may bring forth fruit worthy of repentance and ever walk in your holy ways.
Holy Spirit, help us!
Song – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – UMH 298
Second Word of Jesus from the cross – Luke 23:39-43 – Michael
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding Jesus and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but his man had done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Meditation:
Jesus, pitying the sighs of the thief crucified beside him, promises him paradise and release from guilt and shame. May our hearts cry out to him, “Lord, have mercy!”
Song – Jesus, Remember Me
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
Third Word of Christ from the cross – John 19:26-27 – Nema
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son”. Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
Meditation:
At the cross, her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, where he hung the dying Lord. For her soul, of joy bereaved, bowed with anguish, deeply grieved, felt its sharp and piercing sword. Deep the woe of her affliction, when she saw the crucifixion of her ever glorious son. For his people’s sins, chastised, she beheld her son despised, scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined; saw him then from judgment taken, and in death by all forsaken, till his spirit he resigned. (Tr. Edward Caswell)
Song – Lamb of God – TFWS 2113
Fourth Word of Jesus from the cross – John 19:28-29 – Leo
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty”.
Meditation:
Thirst is a deep human need. Thirst is more than a physical need for fluids. The psalmist wrote, “my soul thirsts, like a deer longing for water.” My soul thirsts for the presence of God. Jesus, offered himself as living water for those who are thirsty in spirit. On the cross, Jesus thirsts, as he is separated from God the Father through our sin and in his death. May our spirits cry out, “I thirst for you, O God and cannot be satisfied until I am connected with you again.”
Song – What Wondrous Love Is This – UMH 292
Fifth Word of Jesus from the cross – Mark 15:33-34 – Vera
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Meditation:
Jesus, separated from God, overwhelmed in fears unknown, left alone with our evil, while no light from heaven is shown, cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Though no Father seems to hear, though no light is near, may we know that God is near. (Thomas Benson Pollock)
Sixth Word of Jesus from the cross – Luke 23:44-46 – Michael
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice said, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit”
Song – Were You There – UMH 288
Seventh Word of Jesus from the cross – John 19:30 – PG
A jar full of sour wine was there. So they put a sponge full of wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus received the wine, he called out, “It is finished”. Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Extinguish the candles)
Song – O 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!
No work is left undone, of all the Father willed,
his toil and sorrows, one by one, the scripture have fulfilled.
No pain that we can share but he has felt its smart;
all forms of human grief and care have pierced that tender heart.
In perfect love he dies; for me he dies, for me!
O all-atoning sacrifice, I cling by faith to thee.
Stripping of the Altar
Dismissal:
Go in peace. May Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you this day and for ever. Amen