Ashes

to

Fire

 

(Revised – First Draft)

 

September 2005

 

Good Friday

Good Friday

 

Introduction

 

1.            The service for Good Friday is divided into three or four main parts: The Ministry of the Word, the Solemn Intercession, the Proclamation of the Cross, and Holy Communion (where customary).

 

2.            The central theme of any service for Good Friday must be the cross. It is our participation in the events leading up to the crucifixion, historically from St John’s Gospel, which lies at the heart of the service. It is therefore to be recommended that the whole of the Passion Narrative be used on this occasion. “They shall look on the one whom they have pierced” is the climax of the portion to be read. The Proclamation of the Cross and Holy Communion, where used, are a dramatic and sacramental outwork­ing of that conclusion to the Passion Narrative.

 

3.            The Proclamation of the Cross is a powerful, non-verbal expression of devotion to Christ. It needs careful management according to local custom, and involves a large wooden cross as a focus for meditation and devotional acts where customary. The Re­proaches, devotions before the cross, are traditionally used as a meditation. They dramatise God bringing accusations against the people in the light of the death of Jesus. They reveal our own complicity in the sufferings of Christ and in the sufferings and evils of our world today.

 

4.            There is a custom and tradition within this church that the eucharist should not be celebrated on Good Friday. In some places Holy Communion is given from the sacra­ment consecrated at the service of Maundy Thursday. Provision is made for those places where this course of action is followed.

 

 

The Structure of the Liturgy

 

The Gathering of the Community

            The Collect

 

The Proclamation

            The Readings

            The Reading of the Passion

            Sermon

 

The Solemn Intercession

            Prayers of Intercession

            Lord’s Prayer (if not said elsewhere)

 

The Proclamation of the Cross

          Anthems and devotions before the cross

 

[The Holy Communion

            Lord’s Prayer (if not said elsewhere)

            The Communion

            Prayer after Communion]

 

The Dismissal of the Community

            Lord’s Prayer (if not said elsewhere)

            Concluding Prayer

 

 

Notes

 

1.            The structure as outlined above is often found with The Solemn Intercession and The Proclamation in the reverse order. The above structure emphasises that The Proclama­tion of the Cross is in effect the equivalent of the Great Thanksgiving at a Eucharist in which the central place of the cross in the story of our redemption is proclaimed. The alternative structure emphasises that The Proclamation of the Cross is the key message of the words of our salvation and the foundation of all our praying. Which structure is followed will depend on local tradition and experience.

2.            Silence is a significant part of the observance of Good Friday.

3.            Hymns and songs and other music will need to be carefully selected, and sensitive to the nature of this service, which is to enable people to enter more deeply into the mys­tery of Christ’s death. As St. Paul puts it, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6: 3-4).

4.            The Gospel of the Passion is announced “The Passion of our Lord according to John” and concluded “This is the Passion of the Lord”. No responses are used. It may be read or sung by three or more people. Afterward silence may be kept.

 

 

A LITURGY FOR GOOD FRIDAY

 

THE MINISTRY OF WORD AND PRAYER

 

THE GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY

 

The ministers enter in silence.

 

All kneel for a time of silent prayer.

 

The Sentence for the Day may be read.

 

The following or one of the other Collects of the Day is said.

 

Gracious and eternal God,

look with mercy on this your family

for which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing

to be betrayed into the hands of his adversaries

and to suffer de­ath upon the cross;

and grant us to rejoice

in the benefits of his passion;

through him who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God now and for ever.

Amen.

 

 

THE PROCLAMATION

 

The Old Testa­ment Reading appointed fol­lows, the reader first saying

 

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (chapter 52, beginning at verse 13)

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

 

Silence may fol­low the reading.

 

The reader may say

 

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 22 or The Song of Pra­ise, “The Exalted Lord” (A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, p. 83), may then be said or sung.

 

The New Testa­ment Reading appointed fol­lows, the reader first saying

 

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews (chapter 4, beginning at verse 14)

 

Hebrews 4:14-16;5:7-9

 

Silence may fol­low the reading.

 

The reader may say

 

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Thanks be to God.

 

The Song of Pra­ise, “Saviour of the World” (A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, p. 86), may then be said or sung.

 

The account of The Passion is then read, the Reader (or the narrator if there is more than one reader) first saying

 

The Pas­sion of our Lord Jesus Christ accord­ing to John (chapter 18, beginning at verse 1)

 

John 18:1-19:42

 

There is Silence following the reading.

 

There is no con­gregational response after the Passion reading.

 

The Sermon may be preached here.

 

 

 

THE SOLEMN INTERCESSION

 

The Solemn Intercession may come at this point or after The Proclamation of the Cross.

 

The presiding priest or minister says

 

Jesus offers life in all its fullness to the whole world. Let us, therefore, pray to God for all people everywhere according to their needs.

 

The following or other suitable prayers are said.

 

Let us pray for the Church of God throughout the world:

  for unity in faith, in witness and in service

  for bishops and other ministers, and those whom they serve

  for N. Archbishop of Canterbury

  for the bishops in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

  for N. our bishop, and the people of this diocese

  for all Christians in this place

  for those to be baptised

  for those who are mocked and persecuted for their faith

that God will confirm the Church in faith,

increase it in love,

and preserve it in peace.

 

Silence

 

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

Almighty and everlasting God,

by your Spirit the whole body of the Church

is governed and sanctified;

hear the prayers we offer

for all your faithful people,

that in the particular ministry

to which you have called us,

we may serve you in holiness and truth;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

 

Let us pray for the nations of the world and their leaders:

  for the heads of state of the nations of this church

  [for Elizabeth our Queen and for the Governor-General and Parliament of this land]

  for those who administer the law and all who serve in public office

  for those whose conscience leads them into conflict  with authority

  for all who strive for justice and reconciliation

that by God’s help the world may live in peace and freedom.

 

Silence

 

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

Gracious and eternal God,

in your will is our peace;

turn the hearts of all people to yourself,

that by the power of your Spirit

the peace which is founded on justice

may be established throughout the world;

through the Prince of Peace,

our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

Let us pray for God’s ancient people, the Jews, the first to hear God’s call:

  for greater understanding between Christian and Jew

that we may be faithful to the covenant

and grow in the love of God’s name.

 

Silence

 

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

Lord God of Abraham,
bless the children of your covenant, both Jew and Christian;
take from us all blindness and bitterness of heart,
and hasten the coming of your kingdom,
when the Gentiles shall be gathered in,
all Israel shall be saved,
and we shall dwell together in mutual love and peace

under the one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

Let us pray for those who do not believe the Gospel of Christ:

 for those who have not heard the message of salvation
  for all who have lost faith
  for the contemptuous and scornful
  for those who are enemies of Christ and persecute those who follow him
  for all who deny the faith of Christ crucified

that God will open their hearts to the truth

and lead them to faith and obedience.

 

Silence

 

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

Merciful God,
creator of all the people of the earth,
have compassion on all who do not know you,
and by the preaching of your Gospel with grace and power,
gather them into the one fold of the one Shepherd;
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for all those who suffer:

  for those who are deprived and oppressed

  for all who are sick and disabledd

  for those in darkness, in doubt and in despair, in loneliness and in fear

  for prisoners

  for the victims of false accusations and violence

  for all at the point of death and those who watch beside them

that God will in mercy sustain them

with the knowledge of that love which supports us always.

 

Silence

 

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

 

Everloving God,

the comfort of the sad

and the strength of those who suffer;

hear the prayers of your children

who cry out of any trouble,

and to all in distress

grant mercy, relief, and refreshment;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

 

Let us commend ourselves and all people everywhere

to the unfailing love of God,

and pray for grace to live a holy life,

that with all who have died in the peace of Christ,

we may come to the fullness of eternal life

and the joy of the resurrection.

 

Most merciful God,

accept these prayers

for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Blessed Saviour,

at this hour you hung upon the cross,

stretching out your loving arms;

grant that all the peoples of the earth

may be drawn to your uplifted love;

for your kingdom’s sake.

Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer may be said here or at The Communion if there is one, or in The Dis­missal of the People.

 

 

 

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE CROSS

 

The Proclamation of the Cross may occur before The Solemn Intercession.

 

A wooden cross may be brought into the church and placed in the sight of the people.

 

As the cross is carried in, the procession may stop three times and one of the following versi­cles and responses may be said or sung.

 

The cross of Christ,

The cross on which the Saviour of the world was hung.

 

Or

 

This is the wood of the cross on which hung the Saviour of the world.

Come, let us worship.

 

Appropriate devotions may follow, which may include any or all of the following or other suitable anthems. Traditionally the hymn “Crux Fidelis” (“Faithful cross, above all other”, often printed as verses of “Sing, my tongue the glorious battle”)  may also be sung. Other suitable hymns are: “When I survey the wondrous cross”, “There is a green hill far away”,  “O sacred head, sore wounded”, and “We sing the praise of him who died”.

 

 

Anthem 1

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I am your Creator, Lord of the universe;

I have entrusted this world to you,

but you have created the means to destroy it.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I made you in my image,

but you have degraded body and spirit

and marred the image of your God.

You have deserted me and turned your backs on me.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I filled the earth with all that you need,

so that you might serve and care for one another,

as I have cared for you;

but you have cared only to serve your own wealth and power.

 

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

have mercy upon us.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I made my children of one blood

to live in families, rejoicing in one another;

but you have embittered the races

and divided the nations.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I commanded you to love your neighbour as yourself,

to love and forgive even your enemies;

but you have made vengeance your rule

and hate your guide.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

In the fullness of time I sent you my Son,

that in him you might know me,

and through him find life and peace;

but you put him to death on the cross.

 

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

have mercy upon us.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

Through the living Christ, I called you into my Church

to be my servants to the world,

but you have grasped at privilege

and forgotten my will.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I have given you a heavenly gift

and a share in the Holy Spirit;

I have given you the spiritual energies

of the age to come;

but you have turned away

and crucified the Son of God afresh.

 

My people, what wrong have I done to you?

What good have I not done for you?

Whakarongo mai ki ahau / Listen to me.

 

I have consecrated you in the truth;

I have made you to be one

in the unity of the Father and the Son,

by the power of the Spirit;

but you have divided my Church

and shrouded my truth.

 

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

have mercy upon us.

 

Hoki mai, whakarongo mai ki ahau, e taku iwi /

Turn again, my people, listen to me.

 

Let your bearing to one another

arise out of your life in Christ Jesus.

He humbled himself

and in obedience accepted death on the cross.

But I have bestowed on him

the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus,

every knee should bow

and every tongue confess,

Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

Hoki mai, whakarongo mai ki ahau, e taku iwi /

Turn again, my people, listen to me.

 

Loving God, hear our prayer and forgive us.

Unstop our ears

that we may receive the gospel of the cross.

Lighten our eyes

that we may see your glory in the face of your Son.

Penetrate our minds

that your truth may make us whole.

Irradiate our hearts with your love

that we may love one another for Christ’s sake.

Father, forgive us.

 

 

Anthem 2

 

You are worthy, O Christ, for you were slain;

for by your blood you ransomed people for God:

from every race and language,

from every people and nation,

to make them a kingdom of priests

to stand and serve before our God.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross

you have redeemed the world.

 

To him who loves us

and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

and made us a kingdom of priests

to stand and serve before our God;

 

To the one who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honour, glory and might,

for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Anthem 3

 

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 highest heaven.

 

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross

you have redeemed the world.

 

 

Anthem 4

 

We glory in your cross, O Lord,

and praise you for your mighty resurrection;

for by virtue of your cross

joy has come into our world.

 

Be gracious to us O God and bless us,

and make the light of your face to shine upon us,

that your ways may be known upon earth,

your saving power among all nations.

 

Let the peoples praise you O God;

let all the peoples praise you.

 

We glory in your cross, O Lord,

and praise you for your mighty resurrection;

for by virtue of your cross

joy has come into our world.

 

 

Acclamations

 

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

 

This is the wood of the cross,

on which hung the Saviour of the world.

Come, let us worship.

 

O Saviour of the world,

who by your cross and precious blood have redeemed us.

Save us and help us, we humbly pray.

 

The service may conclude at this point with the form provided for The Dismissal of the Community.

 

 

THE MINISTRY OF THE SACRAMENT

 

THE HOLY COMMUNION

 

In places where Holy Communion is to be administered, the holy table or altar is now cov­ered with a clean white cloth.

 

The consecrated elements are placed on the holy table or altar in silence.

 

The Lord’s Prayer may be said at this point.

 

The Communion then follows, using The Invitation and words of administration from any of the Eucharistic Liturgies.

 

Silence is kept after The Communion.

 

One of the following prayers is said.

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

Son of the living God,

set your passion, cross, and death

between your judgement and us,

now and at the hour of our death.

Give mercy and grace to the living,

rest to the faithful departed,

to your holy Church peace and concord,

and to us sinners eternal life and glory;

for you live and reign with the Father

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Or

 

Gracious and eternal God,

you have restored us to life

by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ.

Continue this healing work within us.

May we who partake of this mystery

never cease to give you dedicated service.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

 

THE DISMISSAL OF THE COMMUNITY

 

If the Lord’s Prayer has not been said in this service, it is said at this point.

 

Jesus, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to 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.

Save us from the time of trial

  and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours

  now and for ever. Amen.

 

E te Ariki, maharatia mai mātou i tōu rangatiratanga; akona hoki mātou ki te inoi

 

E tō mātou Matua i te rangi

  Kia tapu tōu Ingoa.