Good Friday
April 14, 2017
Cross Lutheran Church
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53205
(414) 344-1746
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation
Reverend Michelle Townsend de López, Presiding and Preaching
INTRODUCTION
At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from the cross. The ancient title for this day—the triumph of the cross—reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to celebrate Christ’s life-giving passion and to find strength and hope in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions for all the world for whom Christ died. Today’s liturgy culminates in the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening.
INVOCATION
P: The Holy Spirit has gathered us here to focus on Jesus—to hear and learn how he remained committed to His Father’s will so that we may have a new life.
C: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Almighty God,
C: Look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
OPENING HYMN
“I Want Jesus To Walk With Me” #325, TFBF
SETTING THE SCENE
E: Many years before Jesus walked the earth as a human, through His prophets God revealed to the world how He would give us a future, and how we would be saved. Let us listen to and reflect on part of this prophesy as found in the Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah.
THE REPROACHES
Christ’s Lament Against His Faithless Church
(The congregation responds singing after each stanza “R”, Jesus, Remember Me #48, LMGM)
E: O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you, or in what way have I offended you? 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. R
C: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
E: I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna; I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. R
E: I made you branches of my vineyard and gave you the water of salvation, but when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar and gall and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior. R
E: I went before you in a pillar of cloud, but you have led me to the judgment hall of Pilate. I brought you to a land of freedom and prosperity, but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me. R
E: 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 hanged me on the cross. R
E: My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a servant, but you draw the sword to strike in my name and seek high places in my kingdom. R
E: I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, but you scatter and deny and abandon me. I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you, but you close your hearts to guidance. R
E: I called you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for my clothing. I prayed that you all may be one, but you continue to quarrel and divide. R
E: I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel, but you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt. R
E: I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. I was hungry but you gave me no food, thirsty but you gave me no drink. I was a stranger but you did not welcome me, naked but you did not clothe me, sick and in prison but you did not visit me. R
FIRST READING (Elder) Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Hymn Response “Were You There” #353, TFBF
Stanza #2
SECOND READING (Elder)
Hebrews 10:16 - 25
“Were You There” Stanza #3
THIRD READING (Elder) John 18:1 – 19:42
“Were You There” Stanza #4
MEDITATION Rev. Michelle Townsend de López
HYMN FOLLOWING MEDITATION
“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” #73, TFBF
OFFERING (To be received in silence)
PRAYERS
Bidding Prayer
P: Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church throughout the world.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you have shown your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ. By your Holy Spirit guide the church and gather it throughout the world. Help it to persevere in faith, proclaim your name, and bring the good news of salvation in Christ to all people. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us pray for Rev. Elizabeth Eaton & Paul Erickson, our bishops, for Michelle Townsend de López, our pastor, for our Elders and all servants of the church, and for all the people of God.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, your Spirit guides the church.
Almighty and eternal God, gather into your embrace all those who call out to you under different names. Bring an end to inter-religious strife, and make us more faithful witnesses of the love made known to us in your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you created humanity so that all may long to know you and find peace in you. Grant that all may recognize the signs of your love and grace in the world and in the lives of Christians, and gladly acknowledge you as the one true God. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us pray for God's creation.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you are the creator of a magnificent universe. Hold all the worlds in the arms of your care and bring all things to fulfillment in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us pray for those who serve in public office.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you are the champion of the poor and oppressed. In your goodness, give wisdom to those in authority, so that all people may enjoy justice, peace, freedom, and a share in the goodness of your creation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us pray for those in need.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you give strength to the weary and new courage to those who have lost heart. Heal the sick, comfort the dying, give safety to travelers, free those unjustly deprived of liberty, and deliver your world from falsehood, hunger, and disease. Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble, that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask.
All pray the Lord's Prayer
CLOSING OF THE BOOK, STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR AND REMOVAL OF THE CANDLE
(Pastor Michelle will read Psalm 22 as the altar is stripped.)
SILENT MEDITATION
DISMISSAL
P: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray to set your passion, cross and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your Holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
*There is no benediction tonight because the Good Friday service is not complete in itself, but is climaxed at the Easter Sunday Celebration. You are invited and encouraged to join us this Sunday for the Resurrection at 9:30 a.m.
*Good Friday Liturgy taken from Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VAFrom Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23141.New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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