Sermons · Wilson Pruitt

A Service for Good Friday

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descriptionA Good Friday liturgy centered on the reading of John's Passion and 'The Reproaches,' in which the crucified Christ laments his faithless church, calling the gathered congregation to repentance before the cross.
tagssermon, theme/passion-of-christ, theme/the-cross, theme/congregational-decline, theme/repentance, theme/anti-supersessionism

4 min read

Scripture: John 18:1-19:42 Series: Lent

A Good Friday liturgy centered on the reading of John’s Passion and ‘The Reproaches,’ in which the crucified Christ laments his faithless church, calling the gathered congregation to repentance before the cross.

Illustrations: the-reproaches, exodus-and-baptism, manna-bread-of-heaven, grafting-and-persecution-of-israel, least-of-these

A SERVICE FOR GOOD FRIDAY

GREETING

Let us pray. Almighty God, ​your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we, who glory in this death for our salvation, ​may also glory in his call to take up our cross and follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“What Wondrous Love is This” UMH 292

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

PROCLAMATION OF THE PASSION STORY John 18:1 –19:42

“Our Darkness” Our darkness is never darkness in your sight. The deepest night is clear as the daylight

MEDITATION AT THE CROSS

SILENT MEDITATION

During Silent Meditation and The Reproaches, persons may be invited to come forward informally to kneel briefly before the cross or touch it.

THE REPROACHES: ​CHRIST’S LAMENT AGAINST HIS FAITHLESS CHURCH

  1. O my people, O my Church, ​​what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? ​I led you forth from the land of Egypt ​​and delivered you by the waters of baptism, ​but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

Holy God, have mercy upon us.

  1. I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna; ​I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal ​​and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; ​but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. R

  2. I made you branches of my vineyard ​and gave you the water of salvation, ​but when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar and gall ​and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior. R

  3. I went before you in a pillar of cloud, ​​but you have led me to the judgment hall of Pilate. ​I brought you to a land of freedom and prosperity, ​​but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me. R

  4. I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom, ​​but you have given me a crown of thorns. ​I raised you on high with great power, ​​but you have hanged me on the cross. R

  5. My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, ​​and washed your feet as a servant, ​but you draw the sword to strike in my name ​​and seek high places in my kingdom. R

  6. I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, ​​but you scatter and deny and abandon me. ​I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you, ​​but you close your hearts to guidance. R

  7. I called you to go and bring forth fruit, ​​but you cast lots for my clothing. ​I prayed that you all may be one, ​​but you continue to quarrel and divide. R

  8. I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel, ​​but you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. ​I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, ​​but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt. R

  9. I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. ​I was hungry but you gave me no food, ​​thirsty but you gave me no drink. ​I was a stranger but you did not welcome me, ​​naked but you did not clothe me, ​​sick and in prison but you did not visit me. R

HYMN Were you there​​​ UMH 288 v.1-4

GOING FORTH

All depart in silence, except those beginning a prayer vigil.

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