Cross Lutheran Church
1821 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53205
(414) 344-1746
A Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregation
Reverend Michelle Townsend de López,
Presiding and Preaching
Good Friday
March 25, 2016
INTRODUCTION
At the heart of the Good Friday liturgy is the passion according to
John, which proclaims Jesus as a triumphant king who reigns from
the cross. The ancient title for this day—the triumph of the cross—
reminds us that the church gathers not to mourn this day but to
celebrate Christ’s life-giving passion and to find strength and hope
in the tree of life. In the ancient bidding prayer we offer petitions
for all the world for whom Christ died. Today’s liturgy culminates
in the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening.
INVOCATION
P:
The Holy Spirit has gathered us here to focus on Jesus—to
hear and learn how he remained committed to His Father’s
will so that we may have a new life.
C:
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P:
Almighty God,
C:
Look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our
Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be
given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death
on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
OPENING HYMN
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
#79, TFBF
SETTING THE SCENE
E:
Many years before Jesus walked the earth as a human,
through His prophets God revealed to the world how He
would give us a future, and how we would be saved. Let us
listen to and reflect on part of this prophesy as found in the
Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah.
THE REPROACHES
Christ’s Lament Against His Faithless Church
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(The congregation responds singing after each stanza “R”, Jesus,
Remember Me #48, LMGM)
E:
C:
E:
E:
E:
E:
E:
E:
E:
E:
O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you, or in
what way have I offended you? I led you forth from the
land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism,
but you have prepared a cross for your Savior. R
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One,
have mercy upon us.
I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with
manna; I brought you through times of persecution and of
renewal and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; but
you have prepared a cross for your Savior. R
I made you branches of my vineyard and gave you the
water of salvation, but when I was thirsty you gave me
vinegar and gall and pierced with a spear the side of your
Savior. R
I went before you in a pillar of cloud, but you have led me
to the judgment hall of Pilate. I brought you to a land of
freedom and prosperity, but you have scourged, mocked,
and beaten me. R
I gave you a royal scepter and bestowed the keys to the
kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I
raised you on high with great power, but you have hanged
me on the cross. R
My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed
your feet as a servant, but you draw the sword to strike in
my name and seek high places in my kingdom. R
I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, but
you scatter and deny and abandon me. I sent the Spirit of
truth to lead you, but you close your hearts to guidance. R
I called you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for
my clothing. I prayed that you all may be one, but you
continue to quarrel and divide. R
I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel, but
you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I
made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, but you
made them scapegoats for your own guilt. R
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E:
I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. I
was hungry but you gave me no food, thirsty but you gave
me no drink. I was a stranger but you did not welcome me,
naked but you did not clothe me, sick and in prison but you
did not visit me. R
FIRST READING (Elder)
Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12
Hymn Response
“Were You There”
{Were You There when they
Cru-ci-fied my Lord? Were you} Stanza #1
SECOND READING (Elder)
#43, LMGM
Hebrews 10:16 - 25
“Were You There” {There when they cru-ci-fied my Lord O!}
Stanza #2
John 18:1 – 19:42
THIRD READING (Elder)
“Were You There” {Sometimes it causes me to tremble,
tremble, tremble} Stanza #3
MEDITATION
Rev. Michelle Townsend de López
HYMN FOLLOWING MEDITATION
“The Old Rugged Cross”
#77, TFBF
OFFERING (To be received in silence)
PRAYERS
Bidding Prayer
P:
Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for the holy church
throughout the world.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you have shown your glory to
all nations in Jesus Christ. By your Holy Spirit guide the
church and gather it throughout the world. Help it to
persevere in faith, proclaim your name, and bring the good
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news of salvation in Christ to all people. We ask this
through Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
Let us pray for Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, & Jeff Barrows, our
bishops, for Michelle Townsend de López, our pastor, for
our Elders and all servants of the church, and for all the
people of God.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, your Spirit guides the church
Almighty and eternal God, gather into your embrace all
those who call out to you under different names. Bring an
end to inter-religious strife, and make us more faithful
witnesses of the love made known to us in your Son. We
ask this through Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
Let us pray for those who do not believe in God.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you created humanity so that all
may long to know you and find peace in you. Grant that all
may recognize the signs of your love and grace in the world
and in the lives of Christians, and gladly acknowledge you
as the one true God. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
Let us pray for God's creation.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you are the creator of a
magnificent universe. Hold all the worlds in the arms of
your care and bring all things to fulfillment in you. We ask
this through Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
Let us pray for those who serve in public office.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you are the champion of the
poor and oppressed. In your goodness, give wisdom to
those in authority, so that all people may enjoy justice,
peace, freedom, and a share in the goodness of your
creation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
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P:
Let us pray for those in need.
Silent prayer
Almighty and eternal God, you give strength to the weary
and new courage to those who have lost heart. Heal the
sick, comfort the dying, give safety to travelers, free those
unjustly deprived of liberty, and deliver your world from
falsehood, hunger, and disease. Hear the prayers of all who
call on you in any trouble, that they may have the joy of
receiving your help in their need. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.
C:
Amen.
P:
Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord
would have us ask.
All pray the Lord's Prayer
CLOSING OF THE BOOK, STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR
AND REMOVAL OF THE CANDLE
(Pastor Michelle will read Psalm 22 as the altar is stripped.)
SILENT MEDITATION
DISMISSAL
P: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray to set your
passion, cross and death between your judgment and our souls,
now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the
living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your Holy Church peace and
concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, now and
forever.
C. Amen
*There is no benediction tonight because the Good Friday service is not
complete in itself, but is climaxed at the Easter Sunday Celebration. You are
invited and encouraged to join us this Sunday for the Resurrection at 9:30 a.m.
*Good Friday Liturgy taken from Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VAFrom Sundays and Seasons.com.
Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg
Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23141.New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989,
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United
States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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