The following is a worship service designed for Good Friday evening service.

[PRE-SERVICE: Enter in Silence; 7 Candles lit on the Altar]

NARRATOR: Welcome to our observance of Good Friday. In his Lenten devotional, the poet Malcolm Guite says: “There is both so much and so little to be said on Good Friday.” It is with this mindset tonight that we will journey with Jesus to the cross, focusing on the scriptural account in Luke’s Gospel. Each reading will be punctuated with time of silent reflection as well as several opportunities for shared worship in song.

We will witness the weight of Jesus’ choice to submit to a gauntlet of psychological torments and physical abuse. All in order to secure victory over sin and death. At every moment, He had the choice—and the right— to use the power of His divinity to step out of the circumstance, or to submit to His humanity and plight that faced him.

This is the passion of our Christ and Lord.

SONG: Lead me to the Cross

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to the Father and His Will

After sharing the Passover meal with his friends, Jesus retreats to his place of solace to pray and wrestle with his soul. This battle will determine the course of all human events. It is the first and essential battle for the future of the world. Being fully human, Jesus is endowed with free will–just as we are. He has the freedom to submit to God’s will or to reject it–just as we do.

READING: Luke 22:39-46

[Reader extinguishes candle #1]

SONG: Oceans (Bridge only)

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to the Betrayal of those He Loves

The warmth of the Passover meal is extinguished in the face of a friend’s betrayal, a loyal follower turned traitor with thirty silver coins. Jesus does not resist with word or fist but surrenders his love for a brother to the power of darkness.

READING: Luke 22:47-50

[Reader extinguishes candle #2]

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to Contempt and Mockery

After his arrest, Jesus meets the insiders–the Jewish leaders–who are now conspirators against him. They are threatened by the very One for whom they have been waiting for centuries. They stand in scornful judgement and abuse, and Jesus meets their taunting accusations by simply speaking truth.

READING: Luke 22:47-50

[Reader extinguishes candle #3]

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to Earthly Kings

From the religious authorities, Jesus now encounters the political ones. Pilate and Herod wield their worldly reign over him with selfish curiosity and arrogant indifference. See here our omnipotent King submitting to their finite power.

READING: Luke 23:1-11

[Reader extinguishes candle #4]

SONG: Is He Worthy?

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to the Mob

Jesus confronts the crowd, fueled by a mob mentality and demanding death. His beloved creation, each life among the many, created in his image now cry: “Crucify!” To submit to the Father’s will means he will surrender to theirs.

READING: Luke 23:1-11

[Reader extinguishes candle #5]

SONG: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

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REFLECTION: Jesus Submits to Crucifixion

NARRATOR: Jesus is nailed to the cross and raised up for all to see. Amid the mocking and abuse, Jesus’s ministry continues. The only words he speaks are forgiveness and redemption.

Reader: Luke 23:32-43

MESSAGE

[Speaker extinguishes candle #6]

COMMUNION

SONGS: Thank You Jesus for the Blood; Were You There?

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NARRATOR: Jesus Submits to Death

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,

NARRATOR 2 (Male Voice): Father… into… your hands… I commit… my… SPIRIT!

[MUSIC: BANG on the drum. Absolute silence.]

NARRATOR: And having said this, he breathed his last.

[Narrator extinguishes candle #7 and lights are turned off. Depart in silence.]