29
March
2024
Good
Friday
Tenebrae
NOTES
ON TODAY’S LITURGY
Our
service today is a continuation of the
worship which began last
evening, Maundy Thursday. Today, we gather
to celebrate our Lord’s
sacrifice on the cross. The Good Friday
liturgy is both an austere
time of reflection and intercession, as
well as an adoration of
Christ, the sacrificial lamb.
TENEBRAE
is a Latin word meaning “darkness” or
“shadows”. This
traditional type of Good Friday service
originated more than a
thousand years ago. The Tenebrae Service
is characterized by a
successive extinguishing of candles as the
narrative is read. This
is representative of the approaching end
of our Lord’s life. At
the conclusion of the service, the strepidus,
a harsh noise, is heard representing the
closing of Jesus’ tomb.
Again,
there is no Benediction as our service
does not really end today, but
rather continues on toward its climax, the
celebration of our Lord’s
Resurrection on Easter morning.
The
congregation and pastor(s) enter in silence.
WELCOME
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stand
439
O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken LSB
439
sts. 1–5
1
O
dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That
such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of
what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What
dark transgression?
2
They
crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they
scourge Thee;
With
cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They
give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They
crucify Thee.
3
Whence
come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It
is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea,
all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This
I do merit.
4
What
punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The
Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The
Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who
would not know Him.
5
The
sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The
sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man
forfeited his life and is acquitted;
God
is committed.
Text:
Johann Heermann, 1585–1647;
tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Collect
of the Day
P
Almighty
God, graciously behold this Your family for whom
our Lord Jesus
Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered
into the hands of
sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through
the same Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns
with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C
Amen.
Sit
Reading:
The First Word
Luke
23:34
And
Jesus said, “Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And
they cast lots to
divide his garments.
Exposition
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 1–3
1
Jesus,
in Your dying woes,
Even
while Your lifeblood flows,
Craving
pardon for Your foes:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
2
Savior,
for our pardon sue
When
our sins Your pangs renew,
For
we know not what we do:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
3
Oh,
may we, who mercy need,
Be
like You in heart and deed,
When
with wrong our spirits bleed:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
The
first candle is extinguished.
Reading:
The Second Word
Luke
23:39–43
One
of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,
saying, “Are
you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the
other rebuked
him, saying, “Do
you not fear God, since you are under the same
sentence of
condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are
receiving the due
reward of our deeds; but this man has done
nothing wrong.”
And he
said, “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
And he
said to him,
“Truly,
I say to you, today you will be with me in
Paradise.”
Exposition
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 4–6
4
Jesus,
pitying the sighs
Of
the thief, who near You dies,
Promising
him
paradise:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
5
May
we in our guilt and shame
Still
Your love and mercy claim,
Calling
humbly on Your name:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
6
May
our hearts to You incline
And
their thoughts Your cross entwine.
Cheer
our souls with hope divine:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading:
The Third Word
John
19:26–27
When
Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he
loved standing nearby,
he said to his mother, “Woman,
behold, your son!”
Then
he said to the disciple, “Behold,
your mother!” And
from that hour the disciple took her to his own
home.
Exposition
The
third
candle is extinguished.
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 7–9
7
Jesus,
loving to the end
Her
whose heart Your sorrows rend,
And
Your dearest human friend:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
8
May
we in Your sorrows share,
For
Your sake all peril dare,
And
enjoy Your tender care:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
9
May
we all Your loved ones be,
All
one holy family,
Loving,
since Your love we see:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading:
The Fourth Word
Matthew
27:45–46
Now
from the sixth hour there was darkness over all
the land until the
ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried
out with a loud
voice, saying, “Eli,
Eli, lema sabachthani?”
that
is, “My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Exposition
The
forth
candle is extinguished.
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 10–12
10
Jesus,
whelmed in fears unknown,
With
our evil left alone,
While
no light from heav’n
is shown:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
11
When
we seem in vain to pray
And
our hope seems far away,
In
the darkness be our stay:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
12
Though
no Father seem to hear,
Though
no light our spirits cheer,
May
we know that God is near:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading:
The Fifth Word
John
19:28–29
After
this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished,
said (to fulfill the
Scripture), “I
thirst.” A
jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a
sponge full of the
sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his
mouth.
Exposition
The
fifth
candle is extinguished.
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 13–15
13
Jesus,
in Your thirst and pain,
While
Your wounds Your lifeblood drain,
Thirsting
more
our love to gain:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
14
Thirst
for us in mercy still;
All
Your holy work fulfill;
Satisfy
Your loving will:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
15
May
we thirst Your love to know.
Lead
us in our sin and woe
Where
the healing waters flow:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading:
The Sixth Word
John
19:30
When
Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It
is finished,” and
he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Exposition
The
sixth
candle is extinguished.
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 16–18
16
Jesus,
all our ransom paid,
All
Your Father’s
will obeyed;
By
Your suff’rings
perfect made:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
17
Save
us in our soul’s
distress;
Be
our help to cheer and bless
While
we grow in holiness:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
18
Brighten
all
our heav’nward
way
With
an ever holier ray
Till
we pass to perfect day:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading:
The Seventh Word
Luke
23:44–46
It
was now about the sixth hour, and there was
darkness over the whole
land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s
light failed. And the curtain of the temple was
torn in two. Then
Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father,
into your hands I commit my spirit!”
And
having said this he
breathed his last.
Exposition
447
Jesus, in Your Dying Woes
LSB
447
sts. 19–21
19
Jesus,
all Your labor vast,
All
Your woe and conflict past,
Yielding
up
Your soul at last:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
20
When
the death shades round us low’r,
Guard
us from the tempter’s
pow’r,
Keep
us in that trial hour:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
21
May
Your life and death supply
Grace
to live and grace to die,
Grace
to reach the home on high:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Silence
Choir
Anthem “The Suffering Servant” (Schram)
Bidding
Prayer
A
Let
us pray for the whole Christian Church, that our
Lord God would
defend her against all the assaults and
temptations of the adversary
and keep her perpetually on the true foundation,
Jesus Christ:
P
Almighty
and everlasting God, since You have revealed Your
glory to all
nations in Jesus Christ and in the Word of His
truth, keep, we ask
You, in safety the works of Your mercy so that
Your Church, spread
throughout all the nations, may be defended
against the adversary and
may serve You in true faith and persevere in the
confession of Your
name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for all the ministers of the Word, for all
vocations in the
Church, and for all the people of God:
P
Almighty
and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of the Church is
governed and sanctified, receive the supplications
and prayers which
we offer before You for all Your servants in Your
holy Church that
every member of the same may truly serve You
according to Your
calling; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for our catechumens, that our Lord God
would open their
hearts and the door of His mercy that, having
received the remission
of all their sins by the washing of regeneration,
they may be mindful
of their Baptism and evermore be found in Christ
Jesus, our Lord:
P
Almighty
God and Father, because You always grant growth to
Your Church,
increase the faith and understanding of our
catechumens that,
rejoicing in their new birth by the water of Holy
Baptism, they may
forever continue in the family of those whom You
adopt as Your sons
and daughters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for all in authority that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable
life in all godliness and honesty:
P
O
merciful Father in heaven, because You hold in
Your hand all the
might of man and because You have ordained, for
the punishment of
evildoers and for the praise of those who do well,
all the powers
that exist in all the nations of the world, we
humbly pray You
graciously to regard Your servants, especially [name],
our President; the Congress of the United States;
[name],
our Governor; and all those who make, administer,
and judge our laws;
that all who receive the sword as Your ministers
may bear it
according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our
Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray our Lord God Almighty that He would
deliver the world from
all error, take away disease, ward off famine, set
free those in
bondage, and grant health to the sick and a safe
journey to all who
travel:
P
Almighty
and everlasting God, the consolation of the
sorrowful and the
strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who
in any tribulation
or distress cry to You graciously come before You,
so that in all
their necessities they may rejoice in Your
manifold help and comfort;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for all who are outside the Church, that
our Lord God would
be pleased to deliver them from their error, call
them to faith in
the true and living God and His only Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord, and
gather them into His family, the Church:
P
Almighty
and everlasting God, because You seek not the
death but the life of
all, hear our prayers for all who have no right
knowledge of You,
free them from their error, and for the glory of
Your name bring them
into the fellowship of Your holy Church; through
Jesus Christ, our
Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for peace, that we may come to the
knowledge of God’s
holy Word and walk before Him as is fitting for
Christians:
P
Almighty
and everlasting God, King of Glory, and Lord of
heaven and earth, by
whose Spirit all things are governed, by whose
providence all things
are ordered, the God of peace and the author of
all concord, grant
us, we implore You, Your heavenly peace and
concord that we may serve
You in true fear, to the praise and glory of Your
name; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for our enemies, that God would remember
them in mercy and
graciously grant them such things as are both
needful for them and
profitable for their salvation:
P
O
almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son,
our blessed Lord,
You have commanded us to love our enemies, to do
good to those who
hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us.
We therefore
earnestly implore You that by Your gracious
visitation all our
enemies may be led to true repentance and may have
the same love and
be of one accord and one mind and heart with us
and with Your whole
Christian Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Let
us pray for the fruits of the earth, that God
would send down His
blessing upon them and graciously dispose our
hearts to enjoy them
according to His own good will:
P
O
Lord, Father Almighty, by Your Word You created
and You continue to
bless and uphold all things. We pray You so to
reveal to us Your
Word, our Lord Jesus Christ that, through His
dwelling in our hearts,
we may by Your grace be made ready to receive Your
blessing on all
the fruits of the earth and whatsoever pertains to
our bodily need;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C
Amen.
A
Finally,
let us pray for all those things for which our
Lord would have us
ask, saying:
C
Our
Father who 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 trespasses
as
we forgive those who trespass against us;
and
lead us not into temptation,
but
deliver us from evil.
For
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
Sentence
and Response
P
Behold,
the life-giving cross on which was hung the
salvation of the world.
C
O
come, let us worship Him.
P
Behold,
the life-giving cross on which was hung the
salvation of the world.
C
O
come, let us worship Him.
P
Behold,
the life-giving cross on which was hung the
salvation of the world.
C
O
come, let us worship Him.
Sit
The
following Reproaches are the words of the Lord
against His people,
the Church, to which the congregation replies
with a plea for mercy.
Reproaches
P
Thus
says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My
people, and wherein have
I offended you? Answer Me. For I have raised you
up out of the prison
house of sin and death, and you have delivered up
your Redeemer to be
scourged. For I have redeemed you from the house
of bondage, and you
have nailed your Savior to the cross. O My people.
A
Holy
Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most
merciful Redeemer; God
eternal, leave us not to bitter death. O Lord,
have mercy.
P
Thus
says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My
people, and wherein have
I offended you? Answer Me. For I have conquered
all your foes, and
you have given Me over and delivered Me to those
who persecute Me.
For I have fed you with My Word and refreshed you
with living water,
and you have given Me gall and vinegar to drink. O
My people.
A
Holy
Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most
merciful Redeemer; God
eternal, allow us not to lose hope in the face of
death and hell. O
Lord, have mercy.
P
Thus
says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My
people, and wherein have
I offended you? Answer Me. What more could have
been done for My
vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked
for good grapes, why
did it yield only bad? My people, is this how you
thank your God? O
My people.
A
Holy
Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most
merciful Redeemer; God
eternal, keep us steadfast in the true faith. O
Lord, have mercy.
The
seventh candle is extinguished.
Stand
456
Were You There
LSB
456
sts. 1–3
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?
Text:
African American spiritual, 19th cent., alt.
Text:
Public domain
The
Strepitus is sounded.
Concluding
Collect
P
Let
us pray.
We
implore You, O Lord, that Your abundant blessing
may be upon Your
people who have held the passion and death of Your
Son in devout
remembrance, that we may receive Your pardon and
the gift of Your
comfort, and may increase in faith and take hold
of eternal
salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your
Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and
forever.
C
Amen.
Depart
in Peace
The
pastor and congregation leave in silence.
Acknowledgments
Good
Friday, Chief Service from Lutheran Service Book
Unless
otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are
from the ESV®
Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News
Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
Created
by Lutheran Service Builder ©
2024
Concordia
Publishing House.
29 March 2024
Good Friday Tenebrae
NOTES ON TODAY’S LITURGY
Our service today is a continuation of the worship which began last evening, Maundy Thursday. Today, we gather to celebrate our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross. The Good Friday liturgy is both an austere time of reflection and intercession, as well as an adoration of Christ, the sacrificial lamb.
TENEBRAE is a Latin word meaning “darkness” or “shadows”. This traditional type of Good Friday service originated more than a thousand years ago. The Tenebrae Service is characterized by a successive extinguishing of candles as the narrative is read. This is representative of the approaching end of our Lord’s life. At the conclusion of the service, the strepidus, a harsh noise, is heard representing the closing of Jesus’ tomb.
Again, there is no Benediction as our service does not really end today, but rather continues on toward its climax, the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter morning.
The congregation and pastor(s) enter in silence.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stand
439 O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken LSB 439 sts. 1–5
1
O
dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That
such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of
what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What
dark transgression?
2
They
crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they
scourge Thee;
With
cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They
give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They
crucify Thee.
3
Whence
come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It
is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea,
all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This
I do merit.
4
What
punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The
Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The
Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who
would not know Him.
5
The
sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The
sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man
forfeited his life and is acquitted;
God
is committed.
Text:
Johann Heermann, 1585–1647;
tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Collect of the Day
P Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
Reading: The First Word Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Exposition
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 1–3
1
Jesus,
in Your dying woes,
Even
while Your lifeblood flows,
Craving
pardon for Your foes:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
2
Savior,
for our pardon sue
When
our sins Your pangs renew,
For
we know not what we do:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
3
Oh,
may we, who mercy need,
Be
like You in heart and deed,
When
with wrong our spirits bleed:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
The first candle is extinguished.
Reading: The Second Word Luke 23:39–43
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Exposition
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 4–6
4
Jesus,
pitying the sighs
Of
the thief, who near You dies,
Promising
him
paradise:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
5
May
we in our guilt and shame
Still
Your love and mercy claim,
Calling
humbly on Your name:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
6
May
our hearts to You incline
And
their thoughts Your cross entwine.
Cheer
our souls with hope divine:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading: The Third Word John 19:26–27
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Exposition
The third candle is extinguished.
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 7–9
7
Jesus,
loving to the end
Her
whose heart Your sorrows rend,
And
Your dearest human friend:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
8
May
we in Your sorrows share,
For
Your sake all peril dare,
And
enjoy Your tender care:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
9
May
we all Your loved ones be,
All
one holy family,
Loving,
since Your love we see:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading: The Fourth Word Matthew 27:45–46
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Exposition
The forth candle is extinguished.
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 10–12
10
Jesus,
whelmed in fears unknown,
With
our evil left alone,
While
no light from heav’n
is shown:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
11
When
we seem in vain to pray
And
our hope seems far away,
In
the darkness be our stay:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
12
Though
no Father seem to hear,
Though
no light our spirits cheer,
May
we know that God is near:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading: The Fifth Word John 19:28–29
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
Exposition
The fifth candle is extinguished.
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 13–15
13
Jesus,
in Your thirst and pain,
While
Your wounds Your lifeblood drain,
Thirsting
more
our love to gain:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
14
Thirst
for us in mercy still;
All
Your holy work fulfill;
Satisfy
Your loving will:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
15
May
we thirst Your love to know.
Lead
us in our sin and woe
Where
the healing waters flow:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading: The Sixth Word John 19:30
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Exposition
The sixth candle is extinguished.
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 16–18
16
Jesus,
all our ransom paid,
All
Your Father’s
will obeyed;
By
Your suff’rings
perfect made:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
17
Save
us in our soul’s
distress;
Be
our help to cheer and bless
While
we grow in holiness:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
18
Brighten
all
our heav’nward
way
With
an ever holier ray
Till
we pass to perfect day:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Reading: The Seventh Word Luke 23:44–46
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Exposition
447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes LSB 447 sts. 19–21
19
Jesus,
all Your labor vast,
All
Your woe and conflict past,
Yielding
up
Your soul at last:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
20
When
the death shades round us low’r,
Guard
us from the tempter’s
pow’r,
Keep
us in that trial hour:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
21
May
Your life and death supply
Grace
to live and grace to die,
Grace
to reach the home on high:
Hear
us, holy Jesus.
Text:
Thomas B. Pollock, 1836–96,
alt.
Text:
Public
domain
Silence
Choir Anthem “The Suffering Servant” (Schram)
Bidding Prayer
A Let us pray for the whole Christian Church, that our Lord God would defend her against all the assaults and temptations of the adversary and keep her perpetually on the true foundation, Jesus Christ:
P Almighty and everlasting God, since You have revealed Your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ and in the Word of His truth, keep, we ask You, in safety the works of Your mercy so that Your Church, spread throughout all the nations, may be defended against the adversary and may serve You in true faith and persevere in the confession of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for all the ministers of the Word, for all vocations in the Church, and for all the people of God:
P Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified, receive the supplications and prayers which we offer before You for all Your servants in Your holy Church that every member of the same may truly serve You according to Your calling; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for our catechumens, that our Lord God would open their hearts and the door of His mercy that, having received the remission of all their sins by the washing of regeneration, they may be mindful of their Baptism and evermore be found in Christ Jesus, our Lord:
P Almighty God and Father, because You always grant growth to Your Church, increase the faith and understanding of our catechumens that, rejoicing in their new birth by the water of Holy Baptism, they may forever continue in the family of those whom You adopt as Your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for all in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty:
P O merciful Father in heaven, because You hold in Your hand all the might of man and because You have ordained, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well, all the powers that exist in all the nations of the world, we humbly pray You graciously to regard Your servants, especially [name], our President; the Congress of the United States; [name], our Governor; and all those who make, administer, and judge our laws; that all who receive the sword as Your ministers may bear it according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray our Lord God Almighty that He would deliver the world from all error, take away disease, ward off famine, set free those in bondage, and grant health to the sick and a safe journey to all who travel:
P Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before You, so that in all their necessities they may rejoice in Your manifold help and comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for all who are outside the Church, that our Lord God would be pleased to deliver them from their error, call them to faith in the true and living God and His only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and gather them into His family, the Church:
P Almighty and everlasting God, because You seek not the death but the life of all, hear our prayers for all who have no right knowledge of You, free them from their error, and for the glory of Your name bring them into the fellowship of Your holy Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for peace, that we may come to the knowledge of God’s holy Word and walk before Him as is fitting for Christians:
P Almighty and everlasting God, King of Glory, and Lord of heaven and earth, by whose Spirit all things are governed, by whose providence all things are ordered, the God of peace and the author of all concord, grant us, we implore You, Your heavenly peace and concord that we may serve You in true fear, to the praise and glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for our enemies, that God would remember them in mercy and graciously grant them such things as are both needful for them and profitable for their salvation:
P O almighty, everlasting God, through Your only Son, our blessed Lord, You have commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who persecute us. We therefore earnestly implore You that by Your gracious visitation all our enemies may be led to true repentance and may have the same love and be of one accord and one mind and heart with us and with Your whole Christian Church; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Let us pray for the fruits of the earth, that God would send down His blessing upon them and graciously dispose our hearts to enjoy them according to His own good will:
P O Lord, Father Almighty, by Your Word You created and You continue to bless and uphold all things. We pray You so to reveal to us Your Word, our Lord Jesus Christ that, through His dwelling in our hearts, we may by Your grace be made ready to receive Your blessing on all the fruits of the earth and whatsoever pertains to our bodily need; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C Amen.
A Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask, saying:
C Our Father who 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 trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Sentence and Response
P Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world.
C O come, let us worship Him.
P Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world.
C O come, let us worship Him.
P Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world.
C O come, let us worship Him.
Sit
The following Reproaches are the words of the Lord against His people, the Church, to which the congregation replies with a plea for mercy.
Reproaches
P Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. For I have raised you up out of the prison house of sin and death, and you have delivered up your Redeemer to be scourged. For I have redeemed you from the house of bondage, and you have nailed your Savior to the cross. O My people.
A Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer; God eternal, leave us not to bitter death. O Lord, have mercy.
P Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. For I have conquered all your foes, and you have given Me over and delivered Me to those who persecute Me. For I have fed you with My Word and refreshed you with living water, and you have given Me gall and vinegar to drink. O My people.
A Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer; God eternal, allow us not to lose hope in the face of death and hell. O Lord, have mercy.
P Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? My people, is this how you thank your God? O My people.
A Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer; God eternal, keep us steadfast in the true faith. O Lord, have mercy.
The seventh candle is extinguished.
Stand
456 Were You There LSB 456 sts. 1–3
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?
Text:
African American spiritual, 19th cent., alt.
Text:
Public domain
The Strepitus is sounded.
Concluding Collect
P Let us pray.
We implore You, O Lord, that Your abundant blessing may be upon Your people who have held the passion and death of Your Son in devout remembrance, that we may receive Your pardon and the gift of Your comfort, and may increase in faith and take hold of eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Depart in Peace
The pastor and congregation leave in silence.
Acknowledgments
Good Friday, Chief Service from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.