Good Friday - 12 Noon - April 10, 2020 - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Atlanta GA USA

T H E

T H R E E

G O O D

D A Y S

F R I D A Y

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GOOD FRIDAY On Good Friday the church mourns the humiliation and death of Jesus yet rejoices in the saving gift of his sacrificial death. The curtain of the temple is torn in two, indicating that because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are no longer separated from God. It is “good” not for Jesus but for us who through his blood are saved.

THE WAY OF THE CROSS The Way of the Cross is a devotion adapted from a custom observed by Christian pilgrims who said prayers in Jerusalem at a series of places in that city associated with the passion of Jesus. Traditionally, there have been as many as fourteen stations.

These nine are based directly on events recorded in scripture.

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS – APRIL 10, 2020 The Order of Worship at 12 noon Livestreamed OPENING DIALOGUE Keep awake, and pray with me. | My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.

One of you this night will betray me. | Lord, is it I? Before the cock crows, you will all desert me. | Lord, I will never deny you!

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? | Truly, this man was God’s Son! GREETING God who created all, who bore the cross, and who dwells in us, be with you all. | And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY God of our redemption, keep us ever near the cross. Remind us of the extravagant love you showed to us through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Teach us to take up our cross and follow you. In Jesus’ name we pray. | Amen.

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Pre-recorded HYMN 335

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Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross

THE WAY OF THE CROSS The Way of the Cross is a devotion adapted from a custom observed by Christian pilgrims who said prayers in Jerusalem at a series of places in that city associated with the passion of Jesus. Traditionally, there have been as many as fourteen stations. These nine are based directly on events recorded in scripture.

JESUS IS BETRAYED AND ARRESTED THE READING

Matthew 26:47-56

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Silent Reflection Sung Response

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THE SANHEDRIN TRIES JESUS THE READING

Mark 14:61-64

But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.

Silent Reflection Sung Response HYMN 349

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Ah, Holy Jesus (Stanza 1)

JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH THE READING

Mark 15:6-15

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Silent Reflection Sung Response

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JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS THE READING

John 19:16-17 and Hebrews 5:8-9

Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, Silent Reflection Sung Response HYMN 349

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Ah, Holy Jesus (Stanza 2)

THE CROSS IS LAID ON SIMON OF CYRENE THE READING

Mark 15:2 and Mark 9:34-36

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.”

But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, Silent Reflection Sung Response

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JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM THE READING

Luke 23:27-31

A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Silent Reflection Sung Response HYMN 349

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Ah, Holy Jesus (Stanza 3)

JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS THE READING

Mark 15:22-25

Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.

Silent Reflection Sung Response

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JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS THE READING

Luke 23:44-48

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed;[b] 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.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.

Silent Reflection Sung Response HYMN 349

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Ah, Holy Jesus (Stanzas 4 and 5)

JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND LAID IN THE TOMB THE READING

Luke 23:50-56

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Silent Reflection Sung Response

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HYMN 353

Were You There?

(Stanzas 1 and 5)

BIDDING PRAYERS The assisting minister leads the invitations to prayer.

Silence for prayer follows each bid.

At the conclusion of each prayer â€œâ€Śthrough Christ our Lord, respond Amen.

Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

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WE LAY OUR BURDENS AT THE CROSS Pilgrims walking El Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) in Spain often carry a pebble from their home to lay at the Pilgrims’ Cross, which lies along the most commonly travelled route for the ancient pilgrimage. We invite worshipers to bring their small rock and lay it at the foot of the cross, marking the completion of this year’s “journey to the cross.”

HYMN 325

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

BLESSING People of God, you have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer you who live, but it is Christ who lives in you. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. | Amen.

SENDING Go in peace, led by the cross of Christ. | Thanks be to God. 15

The Service of the Three Days continues with the GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER on Saturday at 7:00 pm, the pinnacle of the Church Year. The church gathers in the darkness of its grief as its Lord has descended to the dead. The story of God’s saving work among God’s people down through the ages is read from the scriptures.

Baptisms are celebrated; indeed, in the ancient church, Lent was primarily the season of preparation for baptism, and the Easter Vigil was the only annual baptismal opportunity. The “Alleluia” that has been put aside during Lent returns, and the Paschal Light of the Paschal Candle is spread through the congregation. The celebration of resurrection begins and continues through the day on Easter Sunday!

EASTER SUNDAY will begin at 11:00 am with live greetings from Pastor Larson, followed by your choice of Easter services—with Jazz Trio or with Organ, Choir and Brass—combining music from 2019 and a new sermon from Pastor Larson.

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