Good Friday worship service: sights, sounds and smells of Good Friday

Welcome to Burnie/Devonport/Launceston Lutheran Church

Because of God’s amazing grace
WE LIVE
to love the Lord with all our being
to love others as ourselves
and to share
the Good News of Jesus Christ
Good FridaySights, scenes and sounds of Good Friday

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE
Leader:

Our Good Friday Service this morning is a service of the sights, sounds and smells of Good Friday. It is a series of readings, responses, silent reflection and prayer designed to help us enter more deeply into the meaning of Good Friday, who God is and How he creates hope and new life. It is based around the account from the Gospel according to St John chapters 18 and 19. You are encouraged to follow the readings by opening your bibles to John chapter 18.

Invocation
Leader: 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.
ALL: Amen

Welcoming fellow members of the Body
As we are all guests of Jesus I invite you to welcome each other
You are welcome to move around the church
Greeting each other and introducing yourself to those people you do not know


Setting the scene
Leader: 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.

Bible Reading
God speaks through his prophets:
Isaiah 53:1-4, 11-12
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Silence for reflection

LHS 54 When I survey the wondrous cross
LHS 54 When I Survey the wondrous cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748), alt.


JESUS GATHER’S US AND LEAD US
Bible Reader: JOHN 18:1, 2B

Leader: Olive trees in ancient times were a sign of peace. As the olive branches are passed around think and pray about how Jesus is always leading us as individuals into a group of people that are focussed on Him and His ways and His approach to peace.

Silence for reflection and prayer

As the olive branches are passed around

Leader: O God - thankyou for leading us as individuals and a group of people focussed on you and your ways
ALL: Forgive us when we have strayed from you

and have not met regularly with other Christians
Help us to trust in you always
Don’t give up on us,
continue leading us into your family and your kingdom.

BETRAYING JESUS
Reader: JOHN 18:2a, 3

Leader: In the account of Jesus’ betrayal in the Gospel of Matthew, we see that Judas betrayed Jesus so that he could gain 30 pieces of silver. As the coins are passed around. Think about how you betray Jesus and others so you can satisfy yourself.

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the coins are passed around

Leader: O God, help us to consider how we betray You and others,
by living lives where we think of ourselves first.
ALL: Show us how we have betrayed you and others
Forgive us for hurting you and others due to our acts of betrayal
Help us to remain loyal to you and others in all situations

Sung Response
How deep the father’s love for us v1

JESUS SURRENDERS HIMSELF FOR US
Reader: JOHN 18:4-14

Leader: In Jesus surrendering himself to the soldiers, he saved others. A white flag is usually seen as a sign of surrendering. As the flag is passed around think about what you received as a result of God surrendering himself for us..

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the white flag is passed around

Leader: Gracious God, your son is so special
That he gave himself up to the soldiers so that the disciples and us could be saved from harm
ALL: Thankyou Jesus for giving yourself up for us
Help us to faithfully follow You,
By giving ourselves up to you, our loving God


DENY KNOWING JESUS
Reader: JOHN 18:15-18, 25-27
Leader: Despite being one of the closest people to Jesus Peter denied knowing Jesus, not once but three times. Peter’s denial of Jesus came through His silence, actions and by saying He was not one of Jesus’ disciples. Think about how you have pretended that you are not a Christian by your silence, your actions or what you have said. On this occasion nothing is being passed around, because when we deny Jesus, we are keeping God’s love and mercy from others..

Silence for reflection and prayer
As nothing is passed around

Leader: O God, help us consider how we deny you how we seek to live as people belonging to this world and Satan rather than You.

ALL: Forgive us for those times we have denied knowing You
Give us strength to bring your love

and Good News in all situations you have placed us.

Sung Response
How deep the Father's love for us v2

TRUTH
Reader: JOHN 18:19-24

Leader: Early in His ministry Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the light. Unfortunately the officials could not see the truth that was in front of them. As the bible passes your hands reflect on God’s gift of truth that we can access everyday through the scriptures.

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the BIBLE is passed around

Leader: O God, thankyou that you are truth and for giving us the truth in the scriptures
ALL: Forgive us for not relying on your truth
Help us to regularly open your pages of scripture

and study your word so you can reveal the truth to us
May we trust in your teachings above all others

JESUS IS PUNISHED AND SUFFERS
Reader: JOHN 18:28-19:3
Leader: Despite His innocence Jesus is punished and suffers. He didn't suffer for himself but for us. As the thorns are passed around think about how Jesus Suffered for you.

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the thorns are passed around

Leader: O Jesus thankyou for suffering for us
ALL: It is our desire to be our own boss and do our own thing
That meant that we had no hope of heaven without your suffering
We can not thankyou enough for what you have done and are doing for us

Sung Response
How deep the Father's love for us v3

JESUS IS CRUCIFIED
Reader: JOHN 19:4 -18

Leader: Jesus is a king, but was crowned in an unexpected way. His throne was the cross. Reflect on how as your king Jesus took the punishment you deserve, being nailed to the cross

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the nails are hammered in

Leader: O God, thank you for paying the price for our sins
ALL: Forgive us for not always acknowledging you as our king
Thankyou that you have done what it takes to give us access to heaven


Sung Response
How deep the Father's love for us v1

JESUS IS STRIPED
Reader: JOHN 19:19-24
Leader: Jesus was stripped and the soldiers divided His clothes amongst themselves. As the altar is stripped remember how Jesus was stripped for you

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the altar is stripped

Leader: O God our sinful desires caused you to be stripped naked
ALL: Forgive us
Take from us all that hinders our relationship with you and others
And replace it with your clothes of righteousness

Sung Response
How deep the Father's love for us v2

JESUS CREATES FAMILY
Reader: JOHN 19:25-27
Leader: Even whilst hanging on the cross Jesus was still thinking of others and helping them become family. You are also given the opportunity to be part of His family, through the waters of baptism, where God says you are now part of my family

Silence for reflection and prayer
As water is poured into the baptismal fount

Leader: O God thankyou for welcoming us into your family through the waters of baptism
ALL: Forgive us when we have failed to honour our baptismal promises,

when we have strayed from your family
And we are thankful that you have honoured yours
Help us to grow together as Your family


JESUS IS THIRSTY
Reader: JOHN 19:28-30
Leader: Jesus says he is thirsty and the soldiers respond by giving Him a wine vinegar, a cheap drink. As the sponge is passed around reflect on what you give Jesus...is it cheap or something more

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the wine vinegar is passed around

Leader: O God you have given so much to us and for us
ALL: Forgive us when we have been misers

and not generous with everything you have given us
Help us to be your generous and faithful followers

as we live our life of loving you and others


JESUS IS SPEARED
Reader: JOHN 19:31-3724
Leader: In being pierced Jesus is replacing once and for all the sacrificial lamb. He foretold this on the night he was betrayed, when he instituted Holy Communion. This meal was given to Jesus disciples, the people who followed Him, none of them perfect, yet they were all loved by Jesus. In a few moments you have the opportunity to receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins as you receive Holy Communion. As you receive it contemplate what it took for Jesus to give you His body and blood.

Words of Institution

Dismissal

Leader: O God thankyou for the gift of your body and blood
ALL: Jesus we are sorry that you had to die for us
We thankyou for what you have done for us
Help us always to appreciate this.

AT 345 Nothing but the blood

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know -
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon this I see:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know -
nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know -
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Robert Lowry Public Domain


JESUS IS BURIED

Bible Reader: JOHN 19:38-42
Leader: Jesus body has now been wrapped up and placed in the tomb. In the account of Jesus burial from Matthew we hear that a great rock is placed to seal the entrance. We know this is not the end of the story. However many people probably thought that Jesus was wrapped up and out of site and this would be the last they heard of him. As the rock is passed around, you may wish to reflect on how we at times lock Jesus up and put him out of sight, you may also wish to pray for those who think Jesus death is the end of the story.

Silence for reflection and prayer
As the rock is passed around

Leader: O God we know that your death has a purpose
ALL: and we also know that it is not the end
But the start of something special for us
Help us not have Jesus wrapped up and out of site
But to gladly share Him with everyone we encounter.

During the next song:
We join with millions of Christians all over the world in joyfully responding to God’s goodness through the giving of our financial resources.
Our offerings are used to support God’s work locally, nationally and overseas.
We thank you in advance for your generous and faithful giving, it is only because of your giving that the mission and ministry of this congregation can continue.

PRAYER OF BLESSING
Leader: Lord God,
ALL: you have given us everything.
You have not held anything back,
not even your only begotten son.
With humble hearts we thank you.
In new hope we offer to you
and for the work of salvation
all that you have given us including:
every minute of the day,
all our gifts
and ourselves completely.
Be pleased, O God, in the name of Jesus,
to accept all that we offer at this time.
Look upon the intentions of our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray
Amen

The Lord’s Prayer
All: Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.

Children’s Talk

Sermon

Response based on Hebrews 10:16-25
Leader:

The Lord says “This is the agreement  I will make
with them at that time,
“Their sins and the evil things they do—
I will not remember anymore.”
Now when these have been forgiven,
there is no more need for a sacrifice for sins.
ALL: We are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place
without fear because of the blood of Jesus’ death.
We can enter through a new and living way
that Jesus opened for us.
It leads through the curtain—Christ’s body.
let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,

Closing confession
Leader: By nature each one of us is sinful and unclean
Sin weighs us down with guilt, embarrassment and worry
Separating us from God and others
And today we have heard what Jesus did to address the problems this causes
Jesus wishes to release you from the weight of sin


Leader: So today before you leave in silence reflecting on what Jesus has done, is doing and will do for you. You are invited to come forward and leave all the sins that you have committed and that have been committed against you at the cross.

Please respect this time of reflection for others
And leave in silence

Announcements will be made in the church hall

© 2007 Richard Schwedes (Pastor, North Tasmania Lutheran Parish)

Christian congregations, gatherings and parishes are free to use this worship order free of charge for their God Friday worship. Please contact us regarding other uses (richard.schwedes@lca.org.au) It would also be appreciated if you could ackowledge this copyright, thankyou