Pastor and I would like to invite you to our Good Friday Worship Service on Friday, April 10th at 10:30 a.m. I will launch this service at around 10 a.m.
We would also like to invite you to our Easter Sunday Worship Service on Sunday, April 12th at 10 a.m. I will launch this service at around 9:30 a.m.
These Services will be provided by Zoom again. The Zoom password that you will need if asked: 762034
We will be holding Sunday Church Services this way until further notice. Every Sunday, there will be a Church Service using Zoom.
Thank you,
Jeremy Grasby
Worship in the Home - Good Friday - April 10, 2020
In this time of worldwide crisis, congregations throughout this church are not able to gather for worship as the body of Christ. While you cannot be together in person, we can hear the Word of God and hold each other in prayer.
While Easter is every Sunday, these Three Days of Holy Week are like one great annual Sunday. But because of the pandemic, we cannot do these important services together in church. While Easter is a joyful festival, we keep it now in a time of difficulty and world-wide sorrow. Still, we believe that Christ is with us in his Word, by his Spirit drawing us together as one before God. And we believe that the gospel of Christ gives us strength amid distress and comfort in the face of our sufferings.
In setting up a space for worship at home, take a little time to consider the physical symbols you could set out. On Good Friday, this would be a simple cross or crucifix. And your bible.
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We begin our worship in silence
Sit before a cross or a crucifix with the Word of God by your hand.
Let us pray: Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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Readings for Good Friday may be read, as follows.
1. First Reading Isaiah 52:13—53:12
See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals—so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate. Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
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Psalm 22 may be sung or spoken.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors put their trust in you, they trusted, and you rescued them.
5 They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
6 But as for me, I am a worm and not human, scorned by all and despised by the people.
7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips; they shake their heads.
8 “Trust in the Lord; let the Lord deliver; let God rescue him if God so delights in him.”
9 Yet you are the one who drew me forth from the womb, and kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; you were my God when I was still in my mother’s womb.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help.
12 Many young bulls encircle me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
13 They open wide their jaws at me, like a slashing and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart within my breast is melting wax.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; and you have laid me in the dust of death.
16 Packs of dogs close me in, a band of evildoers circles round me; they pierce my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones while they stare at me and gloat.
18 They divide my garments among them; for my clothing, they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, be not far away; O my help, hasten to my aid.
20 Deliver me from the sword, my life from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth! From the horns of wild bulls you have rescued me.
22 I will declare your name to my people; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
23 You who fear the Lord, give praise! All you of Jacob’s line, give glory. Stand in awe of the Lord, all you off-spring of Israel.
24 For the Lord does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither is the Lord‘s face hidden from them;
25 From you comes my praise in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the sight of those who fear the Lord.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied. Let those who seek the Lord give praise! May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; all the families of nations shall bow before God.
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord, who rules over the nations.
29 Indeed, all who sleep in the earth shall bow down in worship; all who go down to the dust, though they be dead, shall kneel before the Lord.
30 Their descendants shall serve the Lord, whom they shall proclaim to generations to come.
31 They shall proclaim God’s deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying to them, “The Lord has acted!”
**A moment of reflective silence**
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HYMN: Were You There
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship ELW 353)
1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2. Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
3. Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
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Gospel: John 18:1 — 19:42
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus] went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After (Pilate) had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.” Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” 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. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ
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REFLECTION
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HYMN: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship 803)
1 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.
2 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.
3 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?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
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The Bidding Prayers - After each bid, keep a moment of silence.
(adapted for April 10/20 by Rev. Erick Reedman Parker) - Based on Lutheran World Federation prayers for pandemic
(P=Pastor; A=Assistant)
Each bidding prayer ends "We ask this through Christ our Lord." We respond with "Amen".
P) Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church throughout the world.
Silent prayer.
A) Almighty and eternal God, you have shown your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ. By your Holy Spirit guide the church Especially in this time when we cannot gather in person. Help it to persevere in faith, proclaim your name, and bring the good news of salvation in Christ to all people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for our bishops, clergy and church workers who work to share the gospel
Silent prayer.
A) Almighty and eternal God, we give thanks for the workers of the gospel.Especially we lift up our bishops, (The Rev. Susan Johnson, ELCIC National Bishop, our Synod bishops: The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, ELCIC British Columbia Synod, The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories, The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod, The Rev. Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod, The Rev. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod), Our Pastor, Laurel Seyfert, and all pastors, for all servants of the church, and for all the people of God, especially pastoral care-givers and all ministries of healing, both spiritual and physical.
C) Amen.
P) Let us pray for those who serve in public office, especially for wisdom and foresight in these troubled times
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you are the champion of the poor and oppressed. In your goodness, give wisdom to those in authority, so that our world in crisis may find relief
and hope for an end to pandemic.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those in need, especially the sick (in body, mind or spirit), and those left devastated physically, spiritually, mentally, financially, socially by COVID-19…
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you give strength to the weary and new courage to those who have lost heart. Heal the sick, comfort the dying, give safety to travelers, free those unjustly deprived of liberty, community and connection and deliver your world from falsehood, hunger, and disease. Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble,
that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for all health-care workers, staff persons, scientists and researchers...
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, You give compassion and strength to those who tend and care. Guard and protect those who work on the front-lines of hospitals, home care, group homes, care centres. Not only doctors and nurses, but all who work within the health system. Inspire those who search for treatments and vaccines. And those who manufacture the equipment needed by our health-care systems. Be an ever constant assurance that whether we live or whether we die, we belong to you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those our are confused and anxious in these times….
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, You are present with those who are alone, With those who suffer panic attacks, those who carry a constant dread and fear. With those who cannot understand separation from loved ones and community. Grant your peace and knowledge that you do not abandon your children, in any time.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those who question their faith…
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, Your faith in us is ever sure, Even when some doubt your presence. Be gentle with those those who wonder where you are. Assure us that your faithfulness persists, And that you make room for questions and uncertainty. Give us solid ground on which to place our feet.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those preparing for baptism.
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you continue to bless the church. Increase the faith and understanding of those preparing for baptism. Give them new birth as your children,
and keep them in the faith and communion of your holy church.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for our sisters & brothers who share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you give your church unity. Look with favor on all who follow Jesus your Son. Make all the baptized one in the fullness of faith, and keep us united in the fellowship of love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, gather into your embrace all those who call out to you under different names. Bring an end to inter-religious strife, and make us more faithful witnesses of the love made known to us in your Son.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you created humanity so that all may long to know you and find peace in you. Grant that all may recognize the signs of your love and grace
in the world and in the lives of Christians, and gladly acknowledge you as the one true God.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
P) Let us pray for God's creation.
Silent prayer.
C) Almighty and eternal God, you are the creator of a magnificent universe. Hold all the worlds in the arms of your care and bring all things to fulfillment in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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Let’s pray as the Lord taught us: Lord's Prayer
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
Adoration of the crucified Christ
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and we praise your holy resurrection,
or by your cross joy has come into the world.
May God be merciful to us and bless us;
may the light of God’s face shine upon us.
Let your way be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and we praise your holy resurrection,
or by your cross joy has come into the world.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God give us blessing,
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe.
We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and we praise your holy resurrection,
or by your cross joy has come into the world.
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Closing
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
You can choose to remain seated in reflective silence