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Good Friday Reflections on the Death of Jesus

(First Order)



Introduction

Song: 'Throned upon the aweful tree' (Anglican Hymn Book 177)

Prayer:

Loving Father, we are not worthy of your greatest gift, that your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, shed his blood for us. Forgive us that we are so slow to respond and to show the gratitude we owe in faithful service and loving deed. Help us as we hear again the story of the cross to become alive to what it meant for him, and what it involves for us. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

1.       Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us

Bible Readings: Exodus 12:21-30; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Reflection on these passages

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, we praise you for your redeeming love and for all that you have done for us. As we bow in penitence before the cross, we gratefully acknowledge the debt we owe. For ours was the sin you bore, ours the ransom you paid, ours the salvation you won. Lord Jesus, accept our thanksgiving and help us to live for the praise of your glory. Amen.

Song: 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Australian Hymn Book 261)

or

'Come and see' (Graham Kendrick)

2.      Forsaken for us

Bible Readings: Psalm 22:1-21; Mark 15:25-39

Reflection on these passages

Prayers:

Out of the darkness of Calvary, O holy Son of God, we hear your lonely cry, and we bow in penitence and acknowledge our guilt. You bore our sins in your body on the tree. You were made a curse for us and endured the death that was due to us. Jesus, Lamb of God and Saviour of the world, have mercy upon us, and teach us to know that you were forsaken that we might never be forsaken, but live in the light of God's presence now and evermore. Amen.

Merciful God, who gave your Son to suffer the shame of the cross, save us from hardness of heart, that, seeing him who died for us, we may repent, confess our sin, and receive your overflowing love, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Prayer Book for Australia (1995)

Song: 'My song is love unknown' (Anglican Hymn Book 155 [5 verses]; Australian Hymn Book 257i [7 verses])

or

'Here is love vast as the ocean' (W Rees & R. Lowry)

3.      All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord

Bible Readings: Psalm 22:22-31; Revelation 5:6-14

Reflection on these passages

Prayers:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the church is governed and sanctified: we pray for the many different members of your church, that all of them, in their vocation and ministry, may truly and devoutly serve you, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Second Collect for Good Friday (revised)

Merciful God, you have made all people and hate nothing that you have made. You do not desire the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live. Have mercy on all who do not know you or who deny the faith of Christ crucified. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your word. Bring them home to your fold, blessed Lord, so that they may become one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Third Collect for Good Friday (revised)

Song: 'When I survey the wondrous cross' (Anglican Hymn Book 164; Australian Hymn Book 258)

Concluding prayer:

And now, Father in heaven, we entrust ourselves to you, that living or dying, joyful or suffering, we may be ever with our Lord Jesus Christ, safe in your care. Amen.



Some of the prayers in this service are copied or adapted from F. Colquhoun, Contemporary Parish Prayers (1975).