Order of Service
Good Friday, 29th March 2024
Welcome and Introduction
Song
Come Now Is The Time To Worship
The Triumphal Entry: Matthew 21:1-11
Narrator
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
Jesus
Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.
Narrator
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
People
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
Narrator
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this? The crowds answered,
People
This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.
Song
All Hail King Jesus
The Last Supper: Matthew 26:17-29
Narrator
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
Disciples
Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Jesus
Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”
Narrator
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,
Jesus
Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.
Disciples
Surely not I, Lord? Surely not I?
Jesus
The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.
Narrator
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus then answered,
Jesus
You have said so.
Narrator
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,
Jesus
Take and eat; this is my body.
Narrator
Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,
Jesus
Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Song
Build My Life
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial: Matthew 26:31-35
Jesus
This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.
Peter
Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.
Jesus
Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.
Peter
Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.
Narrator
And all the other disciples said the same.
Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-45
Narrator
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them,
Jesus
Sit here while I go over there and pray.
Narrator
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them,
Jesus
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.
Narrator
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
Jesus
My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.
Narrator
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.
Jesus
Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Narrator
He went away a second time and prayed,
Jesus
My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.
Narrator
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them,
Jesus
Are you still sleeping and resting?
Song
Lost In Wonder
Jesus Arrested: Matthew 26:45-56
Jesus
Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Narrator
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
Judas
The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.
Narrator
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said,
Judas
Greetings, Rabbi!
Narrator
and Judas kissed him.
Jesus
Friend, do what you came for.
Narrator
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Jesus
Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Narrator
Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Before the Sanhedrin: Matthew 26:57-68
Narrator
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared,
People
This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”
High Priest
Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?
Narrator
But Jesus remained silent.
High Priest
I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.
Jesus
You have said so. But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.
High Priest
He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?
People
He is worthy of death.
Narrator
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said,
High Priest
Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?
Song
Man Of Sorrows
Peter Disowns Jesus: Matthew 26:69-75
Narrator
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. Peter denied it before them all.
Peter
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Narrator
Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath:
Peter
I don’t know the man!
Narrator
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them,
Peter
I don’t know the man!
Narrator
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus Before Pilate: Matthew 27:11-26
Narrator
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him,
Pilate
Are you the king of the Jews?
Jesus
You have said so.
Narrator
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him:
Pilate
Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?
Narrator
Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the Festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them,
Pilate
Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Narrator
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Pilate
Which of the two do you want me to release to you?
People
Barabbas!
Pilate
What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
People
Crucify him!
Pilate
Why? What crime has he committed?
People
Crucify him! Crucify him!
Narrator
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.
Pilate
I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility!
People
His blood is on us and on our children!
Narrator
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Song
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
The Soldiers Mock Jesus: Matthew 27:27-31
Narrator
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him.
People
Hail, king of the Jews!
Narrator
They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion: Matthew 27:32-44
Narrator
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him:
People
THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Narrator
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying,
People
You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!
High Priest
He saved others, but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.”
Narrator
In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Song
At The Cross (Love Ran Red)
The Death of Jesus: Matthew 27:45-54
Narrator
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
People
He’s calling Elijah.
Narrator
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
People
Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.
Narrator
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Communion Prayer
Eternal God,
we praise you
for your creation of the world
in all its richness and glory;
for your great work of redemption
in liberating the oppressed,
renewing the weary and forgiving the sinful;
for your calling of men and women to share in the work of salvation
in the story of Israel and our story.
And now we give you thanks
for Jesus Christ our Lord,
your word of love made flesh,
who shared our humanity
and revealed your grace.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We thank you
for his lifting up of the lowly,
his healing of the broken
and his death on the cross
for the redemption of the world,
of which this bread and cup are sign and symbol.
We thank you for raising him to life
and exalting him
so that we might call him ‘Lord’,
and follow in his way.
We thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit,
for the fellowship of your church,
and for all the means of grace and hope of glory.
Living God, fill us with your Spirit,
that, as we share this bread and wine,
we might feed on the body and blood of Christ
and be empowered for witness and service in your world.
Accept our prayers and thanksgiving
in the name of Jesus Christ,
the light of the world
and the life of your people.
Amen.
Songs
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Lead Me To The Cross
Once Again
The Cross Stands
The Grace
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all.
Amen.