Good Friday Worship Service for April 15, 2022 at 11 AM

About the Service

Tenebrae

Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness.” The Officium Tenebrae, the Service of Darkness, is a devotional and meditative service held on Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Service of Darkness is not a funeral service for Jesus but a time for repentance and reflection on his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. The darkness in the church symbolizes the miraculous Tenebrae, the darkness which surrounded the cross and darkened the earth from noon until three o’clock on the day Jesus died.

Seven Candles

There are seven candles and the Christ candle in the front of the church. Throughout the service the candles are extinguished and the lights are dimmed representing the extinguishing of the life of Jesus. The Christ candle is not extinguished but it is removed from the chancel. Just as Christ’s body was hidden in the grave until the third day so also is the Christ candle removed from sight for a short time. We then hear the loud sound of the Bible closing representing the stone being set in place in front of the tomb. The Christ candle is returned to its place at the end of the service foreshadowing Christ’s return from death to life.

Silence

In keeping with the solemnity of the day, there is no pre-service or post-service music. The service begins in silence and ends in silence. Worshipers are invited to remain after the service for as long as they wish for prayer and meditation. All are asked to leave the sanctuary, the courtyard and the parking lot in silence. The stillness and darkness of tonight are intended to contrast with the bright and glorious celebration of Easter morning 

Preservice: Silence for Meditation

Invocation

Responsive Prayer

P: Come let us worship the Lord,
C: Who was obedient to death, even death on a cross.

P: God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
C: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

P: Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
C: As a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Confession and Forgiveness: (Hebrews 4:14-16)

P: Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,
C: let us hold fast our confession.

P: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
C: but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

P: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
C: that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Time of silence for reflection and confession)

P: Let us confess our sins before the Lord.
C: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. …Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God. Amen.

P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. Here the promise of our merciful God in 1 John chapter 1. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God’s promises are always true. Your sins are forgiven.

C: Amen

Music: Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs 1 – 3)

1. Go to dark Gethsemane, All who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see; Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away; Learn from Jesus Christ to pray.

2. Follow to the judgment hall; View the Lord of life arraigned;
O the worm-wood and the gall! O the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss; Learn of Him to bear the cross.

3. Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb There’ adoring at His feet,
Mark the miracle of time, God’s own sacrifice complete:
“It is finished!” Hear the cry; Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

© Public Domain

First Reading – Luke 22:39-23:25

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.

When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.”

But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas” — a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Music: What Wondrous Love is This (vs 1 and 2)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this. That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down. Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

© Public Domain

Second Reading – Luke 19:28-40

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

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.”

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, o Christ.

Children’s Message: “Jesus Gave His Life for You”

Music: Old Rugged Cross (vs 1 and 3)

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus

© Public Domain

Third Reading – Luke 23:44-56

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. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

Sermon – “Evil Friday is Also Good Friday”

Music: Were You There (vs 1 – 3)

(The first and second candles are extinguished)

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?

(The third and fourth candles are extinguished)

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?

(The Fifth and sixth candles are extinguished)

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?

© Public Domain

The Seventh Candle is Extinguished

The Lord’s Prayer (Spoken softly by the congregation)

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

The Christ Candle is Removed and Extinguished

THE CLOSING OF THE BIBLE AND THE “STREPITUS” (a loud noise symbolizing the closing of our Savior’s tomb and the earthquake which occurred when Jesus died.)

The Christ Candle is Returned (Unlit)

The Service Ends and the People Exit in Silence

© Public Domain

Offering

Upcoming Events

Holy Week Schedule

April 17, 11 AM – Easter Worship Service
Song and Dance

April 24, After the Service – Voters’ Meeting
Song and Dance

April 24, After the Service – Bake Sale
Song and Dance

April 24 – Confirmation
The Shuck’s (lessons 20, 21, & 22)

May 1 – Youth Raffle Fundraiser Drawing
Online

Church Council Elections

On April 24^th, immediately after the worship service, we will hold our annual voter meeting for electing officers on the Church Council. This year, the following two positions are up for election:

• President-Elect
• Financial Secretary

Description of Duties:

President-Elect – Rather than having a vice president and president, we have a president and president-elect with the president-elect assuming the role of president after serving for 2 years as president-elect. So, the President-Elect position is a 2-year position, where he/she assists the president in his/her duties which automatically leads to a 2-year position as President.

Financial Secretary – The financial secretary is responsible for counting and depositing all offerings and financial gifts to the church. They also track the gifts and send out end-of-the-year statements each January.

In addition to their unique roles, all church council positions attend monthly church council meetings and participate in the decision-making process of the leadership of the church.

Both men and women are eligible for either position. The only requirements for these positions are that the people are members of Faith Lutheran Church and are at least 18 years old.

Deadline:

Technically, people can be nominated for these positions up to and including the day of the election. However, for the sake of order and preparation, we would prefer to have a slate of nominees determined by April 10^th.

How To Volunteer:

If you are considering volunteering for either the President-Elect or Financial Secretary roles or have any questions about the positions, please speak with Pastor Kurt or President Aaron Shuck.

National Youth Gathering Update
We currently have four youth and two adult chaperones registered for the LCMS National Youth Gathering (NYG). The total remaining cost for all six people is estimated to be $8100. We are doing several fundraisers, including spaghetti dinners, a bake sale, and a raffle/auction to raise money to offset the costs. We have also set up a fund which anyone can give to at any time. If you would like to give to the NYG fund, you can do so by giving a check which indicates it is for the NYG or by donating online and selecting the “National Youth Gathering” fund. If you know anyone outside our congregation who might like to help provide for the youth to have this amazing experience, please let them know about the fund and/or the fundraisers. Thank you!!