Standing
PROCESSIONOFTHECROSS
Sung three times as the Cross is brought into the nave
GOOD FRIDAY
TENEBRAE SERVICE
April 3, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Atlanta, Georgia
When the Cross is placed on the chancel steps
PRAYEROFTHEDAY
AlmightyGod,weaskyoutolookwithmercyonyourfamilyforwhomourLordJesusChristwaswillingto bebetrayedandtobegivenovertothehandsofsinnersandtosufferdeathonthecross;whonowlivesand reignswithyouandtheHolySpirit,oneGod,foreverandever.| Amen
Seated
Isaiah52:13–53:12
ANTHEM Behold, the Lamb of God fromMessiah MusicbyG.F.Handel
TextfromJohn1:29 SarahHawbecker,Organist Behold,theLambofGod,thattakethawaythesinoftheworld.
HYMN WordsbySigismundvonBirken TranslatedbyAugustCrull,altered TunebyMelchiorVulpius JESUKREUZ,LEIDENUNDPEIN
Throughout Christian history, references to “the Jews” in scripture—particularly in John andActs—have beenused to perpetuate negative stereotypes and falsely assign blame for the death of Jesus. These references gloss over significant distinctions among religious leaders, such as Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, and obscure the fact that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jews. As Christians, we confess and lament the history of anti-Judaism associated with these texts. We renounce the evils of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. We strive for mutual understanding, respect, and partnership with Jewish neighbors and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation among people of all faiths.
THEPASSIONOFOURLORDJESUSCHRIST ACCORDINGTOST.JOHN
JESUSISBETRAYED
CHORALE
John18:1-8
fromThePassionaccordingtoSt.John–J.S.Bach EnglishtextbyRobertShaw Owondrouslove!Olovebeyondalltelling,/whichbidsyoutakethisMartyr’slanetodwellin./Weshelter inthisworld,itscharmsenjoyhere,/andyoumustdiehere.
JESUSISARRESTED
CHORALE
John18:9-18
Peter,whilehisconscienceslept,/thricedeniedhissavior;/whenitwoke,hebitterwept/athisbase behavior./Jesusturnyoureyesonme/shouldI,too,forsakethee;/fromallfalsenesssetmefree,/touchmy heart,andwakeme.
JESUSISTRIED
CHORALE
John18:19-23
Whoisitdarestostrikeyou,/myLord,andwhowouldgreetyou/withevilforyourgood?/Foryoursinnot thesinning,/‘tisoursfromthebeginning/Nonecoulddenyit,thoughtheywould.
Yes,Lord,mysinsareboundless,/likesinsunnumbered,endless,/thatrimtheocean‘round./Thesesinsit isthatgrieveyou,/thattortureanddeceiveyou,/andplaceonyouthemartyr’scrown.
JESUSISDENIED
Sung by all, congregation remains seated
HYMN
John18:24-27
--3--
WordsbyJohannHeermann TranslatedbyRobertBridges TunebyJohannCrugerHERZLIEBSTERJESU ArrangementbyJohnFerguson
JESUSANDPILATE
CHORALE
John18:28-36
Ah,MightyKing,renownedthroughalltheages,/Howmaywerightlysoundabroadyourpraises?/No mortalmencaneverhopetoshowyou/Howmuchtheyoweyou.
Ican,withmypoorsenses,neverfashion/Anofferingworthyofyourgreatcompassion./Forallyour lovewhatthankscanIaccordyou,/Whatworksrewardyou?
John18:37-19:12
CHORALE
‘Tisfromyourbondage,Lord,alone/Thatnowourfreedomriseth./Yourdungeonisourmercy-throne/ Andlibertyabideth!/Didyounotchooseaslavetobe,/Weallwereslaveseternally.
John19:12-17
ANTHEM
There is a Green Hill Far Away WordsbyCecilFrancesAlexander MusicbyPhilipWJStopford AriethaLockhartandDanielEmersonShafer,Soloists
Thereisagreenhillfaraway,/Withoutacitywall,/WherethedearLordwascrucified,/Whodiedto saveusall./Wemaynotknow,wecannottell/WhatpainsHehadtobear,/Butwebelieveitwasforus/He hungandsufferedthere.
Hediedthatwemightbeforgiv'n,/Hediedtomakeusgood,/thatwemightgoatlasttoheav'n,/saved byHispreciousblood./Therewasnoothergoodenough/topaythepriceofsin;/Heonlycouldunlockthe gate/ofheav'n,andletusin.
Odearly,dearlyhasHeloved,/andwemustloveHimtoo,/andtrustinHisredeemingblood,/andtry Hisworkstodo.
John19:18-22
CHORALE
Myheartinsecretcarries/Yournameandcrossenshrined,/Andtheretheglimmertarries,/Tocheermy darkenedmind./Oshinewithinmyvision/Ascomfortinmyneed;/Thoughcruelthehoursofpassion,/So mildlydidyoubleed.
John19:23-27
CHANT
Stabat Mater BarbaraRichards,Soloist
Atthecross,herstationkeeping,/stoodthemournfulMotherweeping,/closetoJesustothelast. Ohowsadandsoredistressed/wasthatMotherhighlyblest,/ofthesole-begottenOne. Canthehumanheartrefrain/frompartakinginherpain,/inthatMother’spainuntold? Forthesinsofhisownnation,/sawhimhangindesolation,/‘tilHisspiritforthhesent. OthouMother,fountoflove,/touchmyspiritfromabove,/makemyheartwiththineaccord: Makemefeelasthouhastfelt;/makemysoultoglowandmelt/withtheloveofChristmyLord? Letmemingletearswiththee,/mourninghimwhomournedforme,/allthedaysthatImaylive. Letmetomylatestbreath/inmybodybearthedeath/ofthatdyingSonofthine. Whenmybodyheredecays,/maymysoulthygoodnesspraise,/safeinparadisewiththee.
JESUSDIES
John29:28-30
ANTHEM Agnus Dei fromBerlinerMesse(1990) MusicbyArvoPärt
KathyBuechner,DavidBuechner,MindyTanzola,Handbellringers
Sung in Latin
AgnusDei,quitollispeccata mundi,misererenobis. Donanobispacem.
LambofGod,youtakeawaythesinsoftheworld, havemercyonus.
Grantuspeace.
John19:31-37
ANTHEM Pie Jesu fromRequieminDminor,Op.48
MusicbyGabrielFauré AriethaLockhart,Soloist
Sung in Latin
PieJesuDomine,Donaeisrequiem. PieJesuDomine,Donaeisrequiemsempiternam.
JESUSISBURIED
MercifulLordJesus,Givethemrest. MercifulLordJesus,Givethemeverlastingrest.
John19:38-42
RECITATIVE AriethaLockhart,PamAmy-Cupp,DanielEmersonShafer,DavidHansen,Soloists
NowhastheLordbeenlaidtorest./MyJesus,sweetgoodnight.
Thypainiso’er,whichalloursinontheehathpressed./MyJesussweetgoodnight.
Othou,mostHolyBody!SeehowIcomeinpenitencetomournthee.Thusdidmyfall,thyagonybetide/My Jesus,sweetgoodnight.
Whilelifeshalllast,Ishallthiswondereverthank,thatthusmysoulwasworthyinthysight./MyJesus,sweet goodnight.
CHORALE
Ah,Lord,yourdearsweetangelssend/Inmylasthourmysoulattend/ToAbram’sbosombearit./Thisbodyin itsnarrowroom/sosoftlyrestsfrompainandgloom,/Andwaitsthedaypreparedit./Ahthen,fromdeath awakenme,/UnbindmyeyesthatImaysee/Inboundlessjoyyourholyface!/mySaviorandmyThroneof Grace!/LordJesusChrist!/Ohearthoume,Ohearthoume!/TheewillIpraiseeternally.
The congregation may sit or kneel
THESOLEMNREPROACHES
Sung by the cantor and choir with congregational responses
MusicbyMarilynWitte
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?HowhaveIoffendedyou?Answerme.
IledyouforthfromthelandofEgyptanddeliveredyoubythewatersofbaptism,butyouhavepreparedacross foryourSavior.
Response sung by congregation
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Iledyououtofslaveryintofreedom;anddeliveredyouthroughthewatersofrebirth,butyouhaveprepareda crossforyourSavior.
Response sung by congregation
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
FortyyearsIledyouthroughthedesert,feedingyouwithmannaontheway;Isavedyoufromthetimeoftrialand gaveyoumybody,thebreadofheaven,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Iledyouonyourwayinapillarofcloudandfire,butyouledmetothejudgmenthallofPilate;Iguidedyouby thelightoftheHolySpirit,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Iplantedyouasmyfairestvineyard,butyoubroughtforthbitterfruit;Imadeyoubrachesofthevineandnever leftyourside,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Ipouredoutsavingwaterfromtherock,butyougavemevinegartodrink;Ipouredoutmylifeandgaveyouthe newcovenantinmyblood,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Igaveyouaroyalscepter,butyougavemeacrownofthorns;Igaveyouthekingdomandcrownedyouwith eternallife,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Istruckdownyourenemies,butyoustruckmyheadwithareed;Igaveyoumypeace,butyoudrawtheswordin myname,andyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Iopenedthewaterstoleadyoutothepromisedland,butyouopenedmysidewithaspear;Iwashedyourfeetasa signofmylove,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
--7--
Iliftedyouuptotheheights,butyouliftedmehighonacross;Iraisedyoufromdeathandpreparedforyouthe treeoflife,butyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
IgraftedyouintomypeopleIsrael,butyoumadethemscapegoatsforyourownguilt,andyouhaveprepareda crossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
Omypeople,Omychurch,whathaveIdonetoyou?WhatmorecouldIhavedoneforyou?Answerme.
Icametoyouastheleastofyourbrothersandsisters,butIwashungryandyougavemenofood,thirstyandyou gavemenodrink,astrangerandyoudidnotwelcomeme,nakedandyoudidnotclotheme,sick,andinprison andyoudidnotvisitme,andyouhavepreparedacrossforyourSavior.
HolyGod,holyandmighty,holyandimmortal,havemercyuponus.
GatheredintoonebytheHolySpirit,letusprayasJesustaughtus.
THELORD’SPRAYER
ADORATIONOFTHECROSS
All are invited to reverence the cross as they leave the church.