| Greeting and Welcome
Prelude – Stabat Mater (Pergolesi)
Lighting of the Candles
+ Preparation +
Invocation P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Opening Sentences P: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, C: He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. P: We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. C: He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people. P: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away. C: Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
Hymn – How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure; That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss; The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything: No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.
Psalm – Psalm 38:1-4, 18, 22; antiphon: Isaiah 53:5 P: He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; C: upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. P: O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, C: nor discipline me in your wrath! P: For your arrows have sunk into me, C: and your hand has come down on me. P: There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; C: there is no health in my bones because of my sin. P: For my iniquities have gone over my head; C: like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. P: I confess my iniquity; C: I am sorry for my sin. P: Make haste to help me, C: O Lord, my salvation! P: He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; C: upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.
Silence for reflection on the Word of God and our sins carried by Christ to the cross.
Confession and Absolution - Hebrews 4:14–16 P: Jesus understands our weaknesses because He was truly human. “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” C: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen. P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
+ Word +
Kyrie P: Lord, have mercy. C: Lord, have mercy. P: Christ, have mercy. C: Christ, have mercy. P: Lord, have mercy. C: Lord, have mercy.
Salutation and Prayer of the Day. P: The Lord be with you C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.
Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Epistle – Hebrews 9:11–22 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Hymn – There Is a Green Hill Far Away (AGPS 235)
There is a green hill far away, Outside a city wall, Where the dear Lord was crucified, Who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell What pains He had to bear, But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiv’n, He died to make us good, That we might go at last to heav’n, Saved by His precious blood.
There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin, He only could unlock the gate Of heav’n and let us in.
Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved! And we must love Him too And trust in His redeeming blood And try His works to do.
Sermon
Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
Prayer of the Church P: Heavenly Father, we are torn by so many conflicting thoughts and feelings on this holy night. We grieve our Savior’s suffering and death and feel shame in the knowledge that our sin made His death necessary. We repent, Father, of our sin. Ease our grief and remove our shame. What was meant for evil, You made good. We are forgiven. C: It is finished. P: Amid sadness, Father, You bring us infinite joy and gladness. Though He could have called down a legion of angels to rescue, it is because of Jesus’ complete and all-surpassing sacrifice that we can be forgiven. It was because of His love that we can be restored to Your good plans. It was because of His suffering and death that we have Your mercy. Lord, what we can understand of Jesus’ sacrifice overwhelms us with amazement. Yet we cannot begin to grasp the extent of the ordeal He endured when the world’s sin separated Him from You. Instill in us awe and wonder at His incredible love for us. What was meant for evil, You made good. We are forgiven. C: It is finished. P: Father, teach us to hear well the clear message of Your love for us that we may live as Your people every day. Through Jesus’ separation from You on the cross, we have been restored. Through His shame, our shame is removed. Through His condemnation as the wages of sin, we have been freed. What was meant for evil, You made good. We are forgiven. C: It is finished. P: Father, while we delight in the wonder and mystery of this holy night and rejoice in the grace won for us on the cross, the world continues in its futile and empty course, ignorant of what You have done. Give us courage and boldness to speak the truth of Your story to those around us. Keep us in Your care during these lonely hours and return us soon to this place to celebrate the completion of the story of Your great love manifest in our Savior, Jesus. What was meant for evil, You made good. We are forgiven. C: It is finished. P: We pray all these things in His holy name. C: Amen.
Lord’s Prayer 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.
+ Sacrament +
The Words of Our Lord P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Distribution
Distribution Hymn – The Communion Hymn
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away Slain for us, and we remember The promise made that all who come in faith Find forgiveness at the cross. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of peace Around the table of the King.
The body of our Savior Jesus Christ, Torn for you, eat and remember The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life Paid the price to make us one. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of love Around the table of the King.
The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, Shed for you, drink and remember He drained death’s cup that all may enter in To receive the life of God. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of grace Around the table of the King.
And so with thankfulness and faith we rise To respond, and to remember Our call to follow in the steps of Christ As His body here on earth. As we share in His suffering We proclaim Christ will come again! And we’ll join in the feast of heav’n Around the table of the King.
Blessing
Choir - Beneath His Cross She Watches
(Lyrics provided for reflection)
Beneath his cross she watches Through tears that fall like rain. Her eyes behold his suff’ring, Her heart endures his pain. Her Son, the promised Savior, Will die this very day; But Mary will not leave him, And cannot turn away.
His clothing lies divided, His robe becomes a prize. The dice are cast to win it; His grieving mother sighs. The weeping turns to wailing As friends cry out and pray; But Mary will not leave him, And cannot turn away.
Now from the cross we hear it; He breaks the bond they share. He gives his weeping mother into another’s care. The darkness gathers round them; The deed is almost done; But Mary will not leave him, Her dying firstborn Son.
+ Service of Darkness +
First Word – Luke 23:32-34a 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.”
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 1)
O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, Thine only crown. O sacred Head, what glory, What bliss, till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.
Second Word – Luke 23:35-43 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.”
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 2)
How pale Thou art with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn! How doth Thy face now languish That once was bright as morn! Grim death, with cruel rigor, Hath robbed Thee of Thy life; Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength, in this sad strife.
Third Word – John 19:25-27 …but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 3)
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners’ gain; Mine, mine was the transgression, But Thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place; Look on me with Thy favor, And grant to me Thy grace.
Fourth Word – Matthew 27:45-47 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 4)
My Shepherd, now receive me; My Guardian, own me Thine. Great blessings Thou didst give me, O Source of gifts divine. Thy lips have often fed me With words of truth and love; Thy Spirit oft hath led me To heav’nly joys above.
Fifth Word – John 19:28-29 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 5)
What language shall I borrow To thank Thee, dearest Friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me Thine forever! And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never, Outlive my love for Thee.
Sixth Word – John 19:29-30 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 6)
My Savior, be Thou near me When death is at my door; Then let Thy presence cheer me, Forsake me nevermore! When soul and body languish, O leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish By virtue of Thine own!
Seventh Word – Luke 23:44-46; Matthew 27:54 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. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Hymn – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (LSB 450, verse 7)
Be Thou my consolation, My shield, when I must die; Remind me of Thy passion When my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfold Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.
Closing P: What was meant for evil, C: God meant for good. P: He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; C: upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. P: It is finished. C: In Christ, we are forgiven. P: The God of all grace, who gave His Son for us, facing the death we deserved and laid in the tomb, has done this for us. Even and especially on Good Friday with sadness and sorrow, be thankful—this is Jesus Christ, our Savior. C: Thanks be to God.
Hymn – Were You There (LSB 456, verses 1-2)
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?
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?
Reading – John 19:38-42 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Hymn – Were You There (LSB 456, verse 3)
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?
Strepitus
All leave in silence
+ WORSHIP LEADERS + Preacher/Celebrant/Liturgist – Pastor Scott Organist/Pianist – Seth Carruthers Communion – Jerry Nicolaus & Seminary Student Sound/Video – John Steele | 
