Worship Online

James Tissot - The First Nail

Worship - Good Friday

The Friday of Holy Week

Opening Prayer: Garden

From the garden of tearful prayer
to the garden of fearful lair
we walk with you, this night, O Lord
you saved us from capture
and we in turn strain our bond through denial
flailing in fright
drowning in doubt
slackjawedly silent
we daren’t even breathe
in this moment
but we stay near nonetheless
close enough to hear the crowing
alongside enough to see the glowing
ebb
fade
and be extinguished
to the dark

Scripture: The Garden Arrest

Hymn: O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done?

1. O Love divine, what has thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's coeternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th' immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

2. Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

3. Behold him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, "Was ever grief like his?"
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Words: Charles Wesley
Tune: Stella

Scripture: The Denial of the Lord

Musing Prayer: Truth?

You sent us Truth
and the myths we made were more docile
You sent us Way
and the roads we made were smoother
You sent us Life
and the death we fear was easier
to use
to control
to manipulate
to bind
poor souls into think your Love was conditional
and so we watch and pray
as Life, Way, and Truth get swallowed up in Death
and we will hope
that our day of preparation
will spring forth Promise
but for now
we will watch
and pray

Scripture: "What is Truth?"

Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words: Isaac Watts
Tune: Hamburg

Musing Prayer: Thirst

We made you thirst
we drank your wedding wine
we drank your well water
we washed our blind eyes
we gave you our dirty feet to be soaked
until you had nothing left to pour out
but your love
and in the end
we made you thirst
dig down deep
as you enter the earth
tap the spring
that will gush up
with your waters
of Life
eternal.

Scripture: "I Thirst"

Hymn: Tis Finished! The Messiah Dies

1. 'Tis finished! the Messiah dies,
cut off for sins, but not his own.
Accomplished is the sacrifice,
the great redeeming work is done.

2. The veil is rent; in Christ alone
the living way to heaven is seen;
the middle wall is broken down,
and all the world may enter in.

3. 'Tis finished! All my guilt and pain,
I want no sacrifice beside;
for me, for me the Lamb is slain;
'tis finished! I am justified.

4. The reign of sin and death is o'er,
and all may live from sin set free;
Satan hath lost his mortal power;
'tis swallowed up in victory.

Words: Charles Wesley
Tune: Olive's Brow

Musing Prayer: Spices

What can cover our craven cowardice?
Shall a hundred pounds
of aloe
and spices
overpower
the belch of betrayal
the odor of oppression
the linger of lost nerves
Shall the perfume of power
blot out our blame
Have mercy on us
Our fears drive us
scare us into silence
Our despair distracts us
Have mercy
Kyrie Eleison
lie in state
as we state our lies
but for now
we will watch
and pray
and hope your Truth
will be born anew.