Good Friday

On this most solemn day, we reflect on the passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Silence is therefore an integral part of our worship.

Instrumental Music

Opening Sentence – Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

We have come together in the name of Christto offer our praise and thanksgiving, to hear and receive God’s holy word, to pray for the needs of the world, and to seek the forgiveness of our sins, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God.

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Opening Responses

We meet in the presence of God, who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain and heals our wounds. Amen.

O Lord, open our lips:
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God make speed to save us:
O Lord make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be for ever. Amen

Confession

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Let us then show our love for him by confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence is kept.

Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have failed you, as did your first disciples, and so we ask for your mercy and your help.
Our selfishness betrays you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We fail to share the pain of your suffering: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We run away from those who abuse you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.
We are afraid of being known to belong to you: Lord, forgive us.
Christ have mercy.

Absolution

May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.

Collect

Almighty Father,
look with mercy on this your family,
for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content
to be betrayed and given up into the hands
of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross;
who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Psalm 22:1-21

The Reading of the Passion

John 19:1-16: Jesus is sentenced to be crucified

Reflection

John 19:17-27: The crucifixion of Jesus

Reflection

John 19:28-37: The death of Jesus

Reflection

Affirmation of Faith (Philippians 2:6-11)

Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

Prayers

Let us pray in the quiet for our own needs and for the needs of the world:

Lord, meet us in the quiet.
And hear our prayer.

For the world (for peace, for all leaders, for those suffering or in need)
For the church (for our bishops, clergy, the diocese, local churches)
For our community (for leaders, groups, and those in need or distress)
For our friends and family (for those we love and those no longer with us)
For ourselves (we give thanks and we ask for help and guidance)

Instrumental Music

Eternal God,
in the cross of Jesus we see
the cost of our sin and the depth of your love:
in humble hope and fear may we place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Standing at the foot of the cross, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and for ever.
Amen.

The Good Friday Anthem

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ was manifested in the body, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed in throughout the world, glorified in high heaven.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Prayer – St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Thanks be to you,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.

Hymn or Music

Blessing

We believe that by his dying Christ destroyed death for ever.
Amen.
We have been crucified with Christ and live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved us and gave himself for us.
Amen.
May he send us out to glory in his cross, and live no longer for ourselves
but for him, who died and was raised to life for us.
Amen.
And may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.