Good Friday 2021
- Download the free Zoom app and click this link on Friday a little before 7pm: http://bit.ly/3tdDqpt
- OR you can call in from your phone (even a landline! Remember those?) Dial this number 646-558-8656 and enter this Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 816 9025 417 Passcode: 923188
- If you dial in and need to un-mute your mic press *6
Here’s a few things to help you join us in our Service of Shadows this evening:
- Your Bible (we’re reading from the NRSV)
- Your Communion Elements (Cracker/Bread and Juice)
- 8 Candles (or however many you can find)
- Matches or a lighter
What’s a Tenebrae Service all about?
The word “Tenebrae” means darkness or shadows. This type of worship service was begun in monastic communities, but today is used in various denominations throughout the world. The service is intended to be a prolonged meditation on the suffering of Christ on the day of his death. Our readings, meditations, and songs will trace the story of Christ’s passion. As the lights are extinguished, we remember the depth of Christ’s suffering and the universe-defining story of His sacrifice.
CALL TO WORSHIP
leader/everyone
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Blessed be the name of the Lord our God, who redeems us from sin and death.
For us and for our salvation, Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Amen.
TOGETHER WE CONFESS
leader/everyone
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us an unending judgment.
silence is kept
TOGETHER WE RECEIVE CHRIST’S PARDON
leader/everyone
Jesus said, “Then neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”
He says it to us. He says it now.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I declare to you that your sins are forgiven.
We praise and thank you, Lord Jesus Christ.
THE COMMUNION
Marina Cerrone
reading First Corinthians 11:23-26
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
To partake in communion separately, but together, we invite you to collect a piece of bread or cracker and a drink you have often so we can partake at the same time in our own homes.
THE INVITATION TO OUR LORD’S SUPPER
How crazy is it that Jesus was willing and able to show such welcoming hospitality for his friends and for all of us even as he anticipated betrayal and brutal crucifixion? What a lavish love!
The table is set with Living Water and the Bread of Life. If you are eager to live like Jesus and honestly confess where you have lived in anything less than His love this week, then you are invited to partake of this sacrament. Let us take a few moments of silence in order to allow the Spirit to open our eyes to how we need to return to God with our whole hearts.
Silence is kept
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray together
Our Father which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
O loving God, we are so grateful for your generous mercy and your abundant grace, even in your moments of intense emotion and anticipation and even fear at what is to come.
In these moments, with our candles lit and our tables set with this bread and this cup, we ask that would you grant us the mysterious gift of union – communion – with you. May these ordinary elements be a means of grace, granting us to partake of the most blessed body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ.
As we respond to your invitation to your Holy Supper, may we be changed. May we live and grow in to become like Jesus. And may our bodies and souls be preserved for life everlasting.
how to
As you are ready, take your piece of bread & dip it in the cup and partake when you’re ready. Maintain a posture of reverence, experiencing the joy and love of confession and freedom in Christ.
PRAYER MEDITATION
Holy One,
Shock Me with Terrible Goodness (by Rev. Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace)
shock and save me with the terrible goodness of this Friday,
and drive me deep into my longing for your kingdom,
until I seek it first –
yet not first for myself,
but for the hungry
and the sick
and the poor of your children,
for prisoners of conscience around the world,
for those I have wasted
with my racism
and sexism
and ageism
and nationalism
and religionism,
for those around this mother earth and in this city
who, this Friday, know far more of terror than of goodness;
that, in my seeking first the kingdom,
for them as well as for myself,
all these things may be mine as well:
things like a coat and courage
and something like comfort,
a few lilies in the field,
the sight of birds soaring on the wind,
a song in the night,
and gladness of heart,
the sense of your presence
and the realization of your promise
that nothing in life or death
will be able to separate me or those I love,
from your love
in the crucified one who is our Lord,
and in whose name and Spirit I pray.
THE SERVICE OF SHADOWS
Each reading will be read by a volunteer, anyone willing to unmute their microphone and read the Scripture for all to hear.
The Shadow of Betrayal
Reading Matthew 26:20-25
When it was evening, [Jesus] took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
Response Extinguish Candle #1
The Shadow of the Agony of Spirit and Arrest
Reading Matthew 26:36-50
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 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. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
Response – Extinguish Candle #2 and singing verse 1 of What Wondrous Love Is This
What Wondrous Love Is This
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
American folk hymn, ca. 1835
The Shadow of Denial
Reading Matthew 26:69-75
Peter’s Denial of Jesus
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Response – Extinguish Candle #3 singing verse 2 of What Wondrous Love Is This
What Wondrous Love Is This
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down;
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul!
We recommend meditating on this version of the song later
The Shadow of Accusation
Reading Matthew 27:11-14, 20-29
Pilate Questions Jesus
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified
24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Response – Extinguish Candle #4 and singing together O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down;
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn,
How does that visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn!
based on poem ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century. Meditate on this version later.
The Shadow of Crucifixion and Humiliation
Reading Matthew 27:31-43
After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
Response – Extinguish Candle #5 and singing Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord
whose day is near
Wait for the Lord:
Be strong, take heart.
The Shadow of Death
Reading Matthew 27:45-54
The Death of Jesus
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Response – Extinguish Candle #6
The Shadow of Burial
Reading Matthew 27:57-60
The Burial of Jesus
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.
Response – Extinguish Candle #7
The Christ Candle
Reading Psalm 22:1-8
Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8 “Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”
Response – Extinguish the lone remaining “Christ Candle”
Silence is kept for 1 minute
May Jesus Christ who for our sakes became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you.
Amen.
The service is ended in silence.
Hold vigil at the tomb this weekend. Don’t rush past the grief.
But cling to relief and joy and hope of resurrection.
