THAT WE MAY TRULY SEE
March 31, 2003 St. Andrew's United a-gdfrsu.y-a
MUSICAL PRELUDE & LIGHTING OF CANDLES
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO SERVICE
Welcome to tonight's Good Friday service. The words Good Friday actually come from God's Friday. Indeed it is God's Friday. But in a very special and unique way, this day is also our Friday. We think you will see why as we tell the story.
As the service unfolds we invite you to get comfortable, to pay close attention to the contrast between the darkness and the light which we highlight this night in two ways: one is by a special extinguishing of the light of a candle between the various reflections - called tennebrae and the other is by contrast. The Old Testament readings tell of blessings and the light of covenant and promise. The narration tells of that last Friday. The service itself revolves around the question Jesus cries from the Cross, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" You will discover the answer as we journey through the story. It is our prayer that is our title, "that we may truly see" be answered for each of us. We encourage you to take your bulletin home with you tonight and to use Psalm 22 which is printed in it for your meditation and prayer time.
We also have a special chorus to sing this night between the pieces. It comes to us from the Iona Community in Scotland and is starkly beautiful in its words and its melody. With Joyce's help, we'd like to go over the chorus once or twice so that you are comfortable with it. We think you will find that it enhances your appreciation for and understanding of what happened on that original God's Friday and why it is still crucial to us today.
So, with Joyce's help, let us try: "Wonder and Stare" # 118 from Voices United.
Wonder and stare, fear and beware; heaven and hell are close at hand. God's living word, Jesus the Lord, follows where faith and love demand.
TIME OF MUSIC AND SILENT PREPARATION: "White Jasmine Grows"
Written and sung by Pam Filfil
PRAYER:
Lord God, Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus - we pray to you that we may truly see. And in seeing that we may believe and trust in you - in times of darkness as well as in times of light. Bless us with your presence as we hear the story of your promises and as we hear the story of the cross. May the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen
* HYMN # 154VU Why Has God forsaken Me? (played to #114 Forty Days)
'Why has God forsaken me?'
cried out Jesus from the cross,
as he shared the loneliness
of our deepest grief and loss.
At the tomb of Lazarus
Jesus wept with open grief:
grant us, God, the tears which heal
all our pain and unbelief.
Jesus, as his life expired,
placed himself within God's care:
at our dying, Christ, may we
trust the love which conquers fear.
Mystery shrouds our life and death
but we need not be afraid,
for the mystery's heart is Love,
God's great love which Christ displayed.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: Genesis 1:1 - 28a, 31 Creation and it was good
Narrator - In the Garden
It was late at night. Earlier in the evening Jesus and the disciples had celebrated the Passover supper. It was quite an extraordinary evening really. Judas left the table early to hurry off to make arrangements to betray his teacher. Jesus, as usual, missed no opportunity to teach and explain. As they broke the bread and lifted the cup of blessing, he gave his disciples a model for a different kind of Passover meal, a teaching that would profoundly affect them when its true meaning would be revealed. Then he began to show them the kind of leadership he called them to as he washed each man's feet. "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."
They went out from the supper singing the Passover hymns. The mood grew quiet as they reached the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Jesus withdrew from them to pray, taking Peter and James and John for company. He went a little farther and knelt down. He prayed. In time he became distressed and agitated, literally throwing himself on the ground. "Father, if it is possible, let this hour pass me by." He struggled in prayer. "Abba. Father. All things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet, not what I want, but what you want." His anguish was so great that an angel was sent from heaven to comfort and strengthen him. He prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. The air grew as heavy. The darkness deepened. At last he rose. Coming to the disciples he bid them rise telling them that the hour had come: "the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 1
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: Genesis 3:6-15 The Fall & The Promise
Narrator - Arrested & the Sanhedrin
In the coolness of pre-dawn when all the moisture bedews itself on the leaves and grasses and the spiders webs, voices grow louder in the Garden, eerily echoing on the hillsides, muffled by the olive trees. Along into sight comes the "tactical arrest team" sent to accomplish the delicate mission of Jesus' arrest.
The mixed company of soldiers, officials from the chief priests and Pharisees came carrying torches and lanterns and the weapons of swords and clubs. They were guided by Judas This man Judas who betrays the Son of Man had spent many hours out on these hillsides and in this Garden with the master of prayer as a disciple and friend. Using the pre-arranged signal of a kiss of greeting, Judas approaches Jesus to do so, calling him, "Rabbi." One more insult added to the night's growing iniquity.
The soldiers and officials arrested Jesus, bound him and led him to the home of the high priest where a special meeting had been convened. After questioning him, trying to trip him up and introducing false witnesses, the Sanhedrin declared Jesus condemned and worthy of death.
The men who were guarding Jesus began to mock him and beat him, slapping him and striking him with their fists. They blindfolded Jesus and demanded that he prophesy who hit him. They spit on him. At daybreak, the council met together - this time in a legally called session and had Jesus led once more in front of them for more questioning. They asked him, "If you are the Christ, tell us." Jesus answered them: "If I tell you, you will in no way believe. And also if I ask, in no way will you answer Me, or let Me go. From now on the Son of Man will be sitting at the right of the power of God." Then they all asked, "Are you, then, the Son of God?" He answered them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth!"
Then they all got up, the whole assembly, and led him off to Pilate.
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 2
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: Exodus 3:1-17 - God Introduces Himself & Promises Deliverance
Narrator - In Front Of Pilate
Pilate questions Jesus and finds nothing to support the charges brought against him and when he learns that Jesus is a Galilean, he has him sent him off to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem for the feast. Herod had been so eager to see Jesus. Now was his chance. When questioned Jesus answered nothing to Herod. His accusers, the chief priests and teachers of the law, stood there vehemently attacking him with their false accusations. Silence reigned. So, disappointed, Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressing him in an elegant robe, Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate.
Pilate decides to release Jesus but elements in the crowd continue to cry out loudly for Jesus' crucifixion. He talks with Jesus again. Jesus' words about truth and heavenly kingdoms rattle him a bit, as does word from his wife that she'd had bad dreams about Jesus. Pilate once more tries to convince the crowd but threats of insurrection and riot with such an unruly and stirred up crowd encourages Pilate to take the easy way out. He washes his hands to symbolize that he is not guilty of the blood of this man. Then he sends Jesus off to be crucified, releasing the rebel Barabbas as the crowd demanded. Jesus is then flogged and after that mocked by the company of soldiers. They dress him in a scarlet robe, crown him with a crown of thorns, give him mock homage, spit on him, and, finally, strike him on the head again and again with a staff. All this they do before they lead Jesus off to be crucified.
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 3
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: II Samuel 7:8-14a, 15-16 & Isaiah 9:1-7 - God's Promise to King David
Narrator - Carrying the Cross, Dividing garments
Simon of Cyrene just happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. He is forced to carry Jesus' cross for him when its weight and form prove too much for the brutalized man to carry. He is weak with the beatings and loss of blood, the prayer struggle in the Garden, the lack of sleep, the incredible physical stress of the past twelve hours. His journey through the narrow streets of Jerusalem to outside the city, accompanied by the curious crowd, seems unending. The smells of morning cooking fires, warm animal droppings from the sacrificial offerings, buzzing flies, the keening cries of upset and grieving women all add to the odd shape of this strange day.
At the hill of Golgotha, Jesus is stripped of his clothes and nailed by his hands and feet to the cross. Thunk, thunk, thunk. A sign "This Is Jesus, King of the Jews" is nailed above his head and the cross is lifted from the ground. Jesus hangs between heaven and hell. Beside him, one on each side, are raised two other crosses. Two thieves share this honour with him. His garments are then divided between the members of the Roman detachment sent to supervise and carry out his execution. One of his robes, the seamless inner one, is gambled for as it could not be divided.
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 4
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: Isaiah 52:13- 53:12 - Suffering Servant
Narrator - On the Cross
So, now he hangs there. He surveys the scene from where he hangs and says, incredibly, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing." The women who supported his ministry stand at a distance in shocked disbelief and a grief so deep it goes beyond pain. Standing at the foot of his cross are his mother, willing with every beat of her heart, to ease his agony; remembering with every second that passes, the prophecies she treasured in her heart. How a sword would pierce her heart. That day has come. Jesus, seeing her there, assigns her to the care of the disciple John and he tells his mother, here is your son. The thief on one side of him asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus tells him: Today You will be with me in paradise.
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 5
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Reader: Isaiah 55:1-13 Unconditional Covenant of Grace
Narrator - The Curtain in The Temple; It is finished
As the hours pass his thirst grows and he grows restless. "I am thirsty," he says and they bring him cheap wine on a sponge. Later he calls out, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani; that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'" Some think he is calling for Elijah, others for a drink, still others recognize the verse from Psalm 22. From the sixth until the ninth hour darkness covers the land. The sun stopped shining. About the ninth hour Jesus called out with a loud voice: "Father into your hands I commit my spirit." The curtain of the Temple is torn in two. Jesus heaves a sigh, "It is finished" and breaths his last.
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 6
Hymn # 118 Wonder and Stare
Wonder and stare, fear and beware;
heaven and hell are close at hand.
God's living word, Jesus the Lord,
follows where faith and love demand.
Narrator: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1)
Reader: For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Narrator: They will tell people yet to be born about his righteousness- that he has finished it. (Psalm 22:31)
EXTINGUISH CANDLE # 7
PRAYER: (Using 140 in Voices United)
Crucified saviour, naked God,
you hang disgraced and powerless.
Grieving, we dare to hope,
as we wait at the cross...
* HYMN # 574 Come, Let Us Sing Of A Wonderful Love (Verses 1,2,4)
* BENEDICTION AND DEPARTURE IN SILENCE
Go in peace
- and may God go with you in the days of darkness.
- may God be with you in your pain
- and watch over you as your mourn.
Amen.
Psalm 22
To the Chief Musician, on the deer of the dawn. A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, and are far from my deliverance, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent. But You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All who see Me mock me; they shoot out the lip; they shake the head, saying, He trusted on Jehovah; let Him deliver Him; let Him rescue Him, since He delights in Him!
For You are He who took Me out of the womb, causing Me to trust while on My mother's breasts. I was cast on You from the womb; You are My God from My mother's belly. Be not far from Me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help. Many bulls have circled around Me; strong bulls Of Bashan have surrounded Me. They opened wide their mouths on Me, like a ripping and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all My bones are spread apart; My heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of My bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; and You have brought Me into the dust of death.
For dogs have circled around Me; the band of spoilers have hemmed Me in, piercers of My hands and My feet. I can count all My bones; they look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing.
But You, O Jehovah, be not far from Me; O My strength, hurry to help Me! Deliver My soul from the sword, My only one from the dog's hand. Save Me from the lion's mouth; from the wild oxen's horns. You have answered Me.
I will declare Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You. You who fear Jehovah, praise Him; all of you, the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him all the seed of Israel. For He has not despised nor hated the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard.
My praise shall be of You in the great congregation; I will pay My vows before the ones who fear Him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Jehovah shall praise Him; your heart shall live forever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to Jehovah; and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is Jehovah's; and He is the ruler among the nations. All the fat ones on the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him; and none can keep alive his own soul. A seed shall serve Him; it shall be spoken of Jehovah to the coming generation. They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness to a people that shall yet be born, that He has done this.