3-29-24 Grace-Tucson Good Friday Worship Folder

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Tucson, Arizona

March 29, 2024

Welcome to Grace!

Our mission at Grace is to teach the inspired and inerrant Word of God, to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the crucified and risen Savior of the world, and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service.

Check out the GRACE WEBSITE at GraceLutheranSAZ.org

WORSHIP NOTES

The order of worship we will follow is printed in this worship folder for you to follow along and participate. The worship service is printed in its entirety in this folder for you tonight, including the hymns. If you desire to sing from a hymnal, you will find the blue Christian Worship hymnals in the racks in each pew. Those wishing to leave an offering can do so at either exit today or give online at GraceLutheranSAZ.org/give. (You can also scan the QR code to the right to access the online giving page.) There is no cost to park in our parking lot during worship services. If you receive a citation by mistake, please let our office staff know so it can be cleared.

TENEBRAE

Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness.” The Service of Darkness is a devotional and meditative service held on Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Service of Darkness is not a funeral service for Jesus but a time for adoration of the Lamb of God in which we celebrate his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. The darkness in the church symbolizes the miraculous Tenebrae, the darkness which surrounded the cross and darkened the earth from noon until three o’clock on the day Jesus died.

SEVEN CANDLES

The seven candles in the front of the church are lit prior to our service this evening. Throughout the service the candles are extinguished and the lights are dimmed representing the extinguishing of the life of Jesus. The seventh candle is not extinguished but it is removed from the chancel. Just as Christ’s body was hidden in the grave until the third day so also is the seventh candle removed from sight for a short time. It is returned to its place at the end of the service as a reminder of Christ’s return from death to life.

SILENCE

In keeping with the solemnity of the day, there is no pre-service or post-service music. The service begins in silence and ends in silence. Worshipers are invited to remain after the service for as long as they wish for prayer and meditation. All are asked to leave the sanctuary, the courtyard, and the parking lot in silence. The stillness and darkness of tonight are intended to contrast with the bright and glorious celebration of Easter morning.

ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR GOOD FRIDAY

WorshipersÊgatherÊinÊsilenceÊforÊmeditationÊandÊreflection.

INVOCATION

Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

AN UNUSUAL TRIAL INTRODUCTION

PleaseÊstand

RESPONSIVE READING

HebrewsÊ2:10-17

Certainly it was fitting for God (the one for whom and through whom everything exists), in leading many sons to glory, to bring the author of their salvation to his goal through sufferings.

For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers.

He says: I will declare your name to my brothers.

Within the congregation I will sing your praise.

And again:

I will trust in him.

And again:

Here I am and the children God has given me.

Therefore, since the children share flesh and blood, he also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

For surely he was not concerned with helping angels but with helping Abraham’s offspring.

For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay for the sins of the people.

GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER

Lord Jesus, because your hands and feet were pierced for us, because you were surrounded by taunting enemies, and because you were abandoned even by your heavenly Father, we are rescued from threat of the Devil and eternal death. In humility and thankfulness this night, we offer our thanks and praise.

Amen.

PleaseÊbeÊseated

Text: tr. August Crull, 1845–1923, alt.; Sigmund von Birken, 1626–1681. Tune: Melchior Vulpius, c. 1570–1615. Text and tune: Public domain.

DEVOTION

THE TRIAL BEGINS

Mark 15:20-24

When they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothing on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. A certain man, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), was passing by on his way in from the country. They forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means, “The place of a skull.” They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. They crucified him.

RESPONSE IsaiahÊ53:3

He was despised and rejected by men, a man who knew grief, who was well acquainted with suffering.

HYMN—O Dearest Jesus, What Law Have You Broken ChristianÊWorshipÊ432

ALL:

Vocalist:

ALL:

ALL:

This hymn continues on the next page.

The first candle is extinguished.

EVIDENCE DEMANDED BY THE CROWD

DEVOTION

Mark 15:25-30

Now it was the third hour when they crucified him. The superscription stating the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” They also crucified two criminals with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by ridiculed him, shaking their heads and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross!”

Text: Johann Heermann, 1585–1647; (sts. 1–3): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.; (st. 5): tr. TheÊLutheranÊHymnal, 1941, alt. Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662. Text and tune: Public domain.

Like someone whom people cannot bear to look at, he was despised, and we thought nothing of him.

SONG—Lamb of God

Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent him from your side to walk upon this guilty sod, and to become the Lamb of God.

VocalÊSolo

Your gift of love they crucified, they laughed and scorned him as he died: the humble King they named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God.

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God!

O wash me in his precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

I was so lost, I should have died, but you have brought me to your side to be led by your staff and rod, and to be called a lamb of God.

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God!

O wash me in his precious blood, till I am just a lamb of God.

O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God!

O wash me in his precious blood, till I am just a lamb of God. Text: Twila Paris © 1985 Mountain Spring/Jubilee Communications, Inc., admin. CapitolCMGPublishing,com. Used by permission: CCLI no. 3095236.

The second candle is extinguished.

EVIDENCE DEMANDED BY THE JEWISH LEADERS

DEVOTION

In the same way the chief priests, experts in the law, and elders kept mocking him. They said, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself. If he’s the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now, if he wants him, because he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

RESPONSE IsaiahÊ53:4

Surely he was taking up our weaknesses, and he was carrying our sufferings.

HYMN—Son of God, by God Forsaken ChristianÊWorshipÊ421

Vocalist:

ALL:

ALL:

ALL:

The third candle is extinguished.

EVIDENCE DEMANDED BY THE ROMAN SOLDIERS

DEVOTION Luke 23:36-37

The soldiers also made fun of him. Coming up to him, they offered him sour wine, saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

RESPONSE IsaiahÊ53:4-5

We thought it was because of God that he was stricken, smitten, and afflicted, but it was because of our rebellion that he was pierced.

PSALM—O Sacred Head, Now Wounded PsalmÊ22

Refrain (ALL):

Choir: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

“He trusts in the L ,” they say, “let the L rescue him.”

Refrain (ALL)

Choir: All my bones are on display; you lay me in the dust of death. A pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But you, L , do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

ALL: Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit, as it was in the be- / ginning, is now, and will be forever. / Amen.

Refrain (ALL)

Text: TheÊLutheranÊHymnal, 1941; German version Paul Gerhardt; attr. Bernard of Clairvaux. Tune: Hans Leo

Public domain.

Bunjes © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 710199.

The fourth candle is extinguished.

Hassler.

Tone: Paul G.

DEVOTION

Luke 23:39-44

One of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same condemnation? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “Amen I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.”

RESPONSE

IsaiahÊ53:5

He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

ALL:

ALL:

Women:

Men:

ALL:

5 In perfect love he dies; for me he dies, for me!

O all-atoning Sacrifice, you died to make me free!

ALL:

6 In ev’ry time of need, before the judgment throne, your works, O Lamb of God, I’ll plead, your merits, not my own.

The fifth candle is extinguished.

EVIDENCE DEMANDED BY PEOPLE STILL TODAY

DEVOTION

Luke 23:44-46

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun was darkened. Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

RESPONSE IsaiahÊ53:6

We all have gone astray like sheep. Each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has charged all our guilt to him.

Will you go to the garden with my Lord when he prays alone in the shadow of the tree?

Will you stand by the cross when his blood is poured? Will you go to Calvary?

Will you go with my Lord when they call his name, when he wears the crown of thorns to set us free?

Will you stand by the cross when he dies in shame?

Will you go to Calvary?

Will you go to the Lord in his final pain?

When he gives his life that day for all to see?

Will you live in love that his death be not in vain? Will you go to Calvary? Will you go to Calvary? Text:

DEVOTION

The sixth candle is extinguished.

THE EVIDENCE IS COMING

Mark 15:42-46

It was already evening, and since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), Joseph from Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had been dead for a long time. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he granted the body to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took him down, and wrapped him in the linen cloth. He laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of rock, and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

He was taken away without a fair trial and without justice, and of his generation, who even cared?

So, he was cut off from the land of the living. He was struck because of the rebellion of my people .

The seventh candle, the Christ Candle, is not extinguished, but it is removed from view, just as Christ was, for a time, hidden from sight in the tomb.

VOCAL SOLO—Were You There

The Christ Candle is returned to the chancel, foreshadowing the Resurrection. Even on Good Friday we worship the living Christ.

SILENT PRAYER AND MEDITATION

SILENT DISMISSAL

YouÊareÊinvitedÊtoÊremainÊinÊtheÊchurchÊfollowingÊtheÊserviceÊforÊprayer andÊmeditation.ÊWhenÊyouÊchooseÊtoÊleave,ÊpleaseÊleaveÊtheÊsanctuary, courtyard,ÊandÊparkingÊlotÊinÊsilence.

Please join us at one of our sites on Easter Sunday to worship our Risen Savior!

Grace-Tucson

830 N. 1st Avenue, 85719

Sunrise Service 7:00 AM

Breakfast 8:00 AM

Easter Concert 9:00 AM

Festival Worship 10:00 AM

Grace-Sahuarita

75 W. Sahuarita Road, 85629

Worship 8:00 & 10:00 AM

Breakfast 9:00 AM

Grace-Benson

451 W. Duane Street, 85602

Worship 7:30 AM

Fellowship following worship

Grace-Vail

9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, 85747

Breakfast 9:00 AM

Worship 10:00 AM

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY

Minister.......................................................................................................................... Pastor Ron Koehler

Accompanist...............................................................................................................................Kathy Parra

Vocalists ..................................................................................................

Dylan Guenther, Naomi Kassulke

Choir Director............................................................................................................................ Jim Bakken

Choir Accompanist Teri Guenther

Saxophone ............................................................................................................................ Jeremy Snavely

Clarinet Beth Kassulke

Trumpet ............................................................................................................................. Nathan Kassulke

Candles.....................................................................................................................................Sam Kassulke

Lighting ......................................................................................................................................Colby Heinz

Usher....................................................................................................................................... Ferdie Kramm

Sound and Recording Technicians ....................................................... Jeremy Snavely, Danny Koehler Acknowledgements: