Extinguished
Lent/Easter
Traveling Calvary's Road
From Ash Wednesday Through Easter
Object:
Introduction
Almost 2,000 years ago, Good Friday seemingly extinguished the light of Christ come into the world. This service recalls that sense of emptiness by beginning (after an opening hymn and one or more pastoral reflections) in darkness. Candles are lit as passages about Jesus, the light of the world, are read from John's gospel. Then the focus turns to the seven last words spoken from the cross, and the candles are extinguished, returning the area to darkness.
Running Time
This service takes 30 to 75 minutes depending on the length of the pastoral reflection(s) and whether or not optional choral anthems are used.
Worship Notes
This service is written for nine readers, but can be adapted for as few as two. Readers should represent, if possible, different ages (elementary-age children through senior adults), genders, and ethnic backgrounds. The readings break sentences into fragments, each fragment being read by a different voice, to provide interest, to emphasize various words, and to convey a sense that the scriptures apply to each of us and are not limited to any one age or gender or nationality. Readers should practice together until the sentences flow smoothly. When words are repeated, each reader should vary the emphasis. For additional effect, position readers in different places throughout the sanctuary. The Leader can be one of the pastoral staff or one of the readers. The terms Men, Women, and All refer to the entire congregation. A sample bulletin is included with these parts written out. The silences allow people to absorb the scriptures. They are very important parts of the service and should not be rushed. Allow at least one full minute for each silence.
Setting
Seven candles are arranged across the front of the church -- on the altar or spaced across the altar rail. An acolyte holding a lit taper stands with his/her back to the congregation. As the scriptures are read during the first half of the service, the acolyte lights the appropriate candle. During the second half of the service, the acolyte extinguishes each candle. Alternatively, the candles may be placed throughout the sanctuary and a separate acolyte assigned to light/extinguish each candle. Because of the darkness, the readers and choir (if there is one) may need individual book lights or will need to memorize their lines/music. If the words to the songs or responses are projected onto screens, use dark backgrounds and gray or light purple lettering.
(At the beginning of the service, the house lights are up. Any announcements, welcoming statements, and opening prayers that are standard to a particular church should take place here before moving into the rest of the service.)
Opening Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1 and 2)
Pastoral Reflections On Good Friday
Possible topics include:
* Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane / Obedient unto death
Suggested scripture helps: Luke 22:39-53; 1 Corinthians 2:2-8; Hebrews 5:5-9
* What is good about Good Friday? / Redemption
Suggested scripture helps: Luke 22:54--23:56; Romans 5:6--6:10; Colossians 1:15-23
* It is finished / The final sacrifice
Suggested scripture helps: John 19; Hebrews 9-10; 1 Peter 1:21-25
Optional Choral Anthem
Leader: The rest of this service will begin and end in darkness. The darkness at the beginning symbolizes both the nothingness prior to creation and the spiritual darkness we all are in before we allow God's light to shine in us and through us. The darkness at the end recalls the darkness of that day almost 2,000 years ago when it appeared that God's light -- Jesus -- had been put out forever. For safety's sake, the ushers will not admit anyone into the sanctuary while it is dark. Because the lighting will be dim throughout, please do not move around. Keep your children with you. At the end of the service, please wait until the lights are brought back up before leaving. Please remain in the sanctuary in prayer as long as you like. When you leave, please leave in silence.
(House lights are turned off. One acolyte enters holding a lit taper, and stands in front of the candles turned away from the congregation.)
The Light Comes
Reader 1: In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God.
Reader 2: Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.
Reader 3: The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light (acolyte lights first candle) to people.
Reader 2: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out (John 1:1-5).
Reader 1: The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him.
Reader 3: He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him.
Reader 2: Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. They did not become God's children by natural means, that is by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their father.
Reader 3: The Word became a human being
Reader 2: and full of grace and truth, he lived among us. We saw his glory,
Reader 1: the glory which he received as the Father's only Son (John 1:10-14).
Reader 4: This was the real light (acolyte lights second candle) -- the light that comes into the world and shines on all people (John 1:9).
Reader 5: "I am the light (acolyte lights third candle) of the world," Jesus said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12).
Reader 6: Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light (Acolyte lights fourth candle) for the world" (John 9:45).
Reader 7: Jesus said, "... Those who walk in broad daylight do not stumble, for they see the light (acolyte lights fifth candle) of this world. But if they walk during the night they stumble, because they have no light" (John 11:9-10).
Reader 8: Jesus said, "The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Believe in the light (acolyte lights sixth candle), then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light" (John 12:35-36).
Reader 9: Jesus said in a loud voice, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in him who sent me. Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me.
Reader 8: I have come into the world as light (acolyte lights seventh candle), so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.
Reader 7: If people hear my message
Reader 9: and do not obey it
Reader 7: I will not judge them.
Reader 8: I came, not to judge the world, but to save it.
Reader 9: Those who reject me and do not accept my message have one who will judge them.
Reader 7: The words I have spoken
Reader 8: will be their judge on the last day!" (John 12:44-48).
Reader 1: Jesus said, "This is how the judgment works: the light
Reader 2: the light has come
Reader 3: has come into the world
Reader 2: but people love the darkness
Reader 1: rather than the light
Reader 2: because their deeds
Reader 3: their deeds are evil.
Reader 2: Those who do evil things hate the light
Reader 1: and will not come to the light
Reader 3: because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up" (John 3:18-20).
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 3 and 4)
Men: Then the Roman soldiers with their commanding officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus, tied him up, and took him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people (John 18:12-14).
Women: Early in the morning, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas' house to the governor's palace. ... Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers made a crown of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him and came to him and said, "Long live the King of the Jews!" and they went up and slapped him. ... Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified (John 18:28; 19:1-3, 16a).
All: So they took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified him, and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them (John 19:16b-18).
Optional Choral Anthem
"For God So Loved The World"
Silence
First Word
Reader 1: Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34a). (acolyte extinguishes seventh candle)
All: Father, your Word says that you pity me the way a father pities his children. You know what I am made of; you remember that I am dust. Forgive me, Father, I truly don't know the full extent of anything I do (Psalm 103:13).
Silence
Second Word
Reader 2: One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
Reader 3: The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, "Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong." And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as king!"
Reader 1: Jesus said to him, "I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me" (Luke 23:39-43). (acolyte extinguishes sixth candle)
All: Thank you, Father, that it is never too late for me to cry out to you and to be accepted fully by you. Forgive me for the times I am too proud to admit my sin. Help me to turn to you.
Silence
Third Word
Reader 4: Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother; his mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there
Reader 1: so he said to his mother, "He is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is your mother."
Reader 4: From that time the disciple took her to live in his home (John 19:25-27). (acolyte extinguishes fifth candle)
All: In the middle of all your suffering, you thought of others. Forgive me, Jesus, for being so wrapped up in myself and my concerns that I ignore those around me.
Silence
Fourth Word
Reader 5: At noon, the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout,
Reader 1: "Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" (Matthew 27:45-46). (acolyte extinguishes fourth candle)
All: Jesus, your word says that you know completely and totally what it is like to be a human being. You know -- more than I do -- what abandonment feels like. Thank you for becoming a human being, for living on this earth, and for dying a real death.
Silence
Fifth Word
Reader 6: Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said,
Reader 1: "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). (acolyte extinguishes third candle)
Women: You promise to give us living water
Men: yet you thirsted.
All: And when you said you were thirsty, they gave you -- the creator of all -- cheap wine ... vinegar to drink. You thirst for me, and I offer you -- my creator, my redeemer, my life -- cheap wine ... vinegar.
Silence
Sixth Word
Reader 7: Jesus drank the wine and said,
Reader 1: "It is finished" (John 19:30). (acolyte extinguishes second candle)
Silence
Seventh Word
Reader 8: It was about twelve o'clock when the sun stopped shining
Reader 9: and darkness covered the whole country until three o'clock;
Reader 8: and the curtain hanging in the temple was torn in two.
Reader 9: Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
Reader 1: "Father! In your hands I place my spirit!"
Reader 8: He said this
Reader 9: and died (John 23:44-45). (acolyte extinguishes first candle)
Depart in silence
Extinguished
Sample Bulletin
Welcome
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1 and 2)
Pastoral Reflections And Prayer
Leader: The rest of this service will begin and end in darkness. The darkness at the beginning symbolizes both the nothingness prior to creation and the spiritual darkness we all are in before we allow God's light to shine in us and through us. The darkness at the end recalls the darkness of that day almost 2,000 years ago when it appeared that God's light -- Jesus -- had been put out forever. For safety's sake, the ushers will not admit anyone into the sanctuary while it is dark. Because the lighting will be dim throughout, please do not move around. Keep your children with you. At the end of the service, please wait until the lights are brought back up before leaving. Please remain in the sanctuary in prayer as long as you like. When you leave, please leave in silence. (lights off)
The Light Comes
John 1:1-14; 8:12; 9:45; 11:9-10; 12:35-36; 12:44-48; 3:18-20
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 3 and 4)
Men: Then the Roman soldiers with their commanding officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus, tied him up, and took him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people (John 18:12-14).
Women: Early in the morning, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas' house to the governor's palace.... Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers made a crown of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him and came to him and said, "Long live the King of the Jews!" and they went up and slapped him.... Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified (John 18:28; 19:1-3, 16a).
All: So they took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified him, and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them (John 19:16b-18). (Silence)
Optional Choral Anthem
"For God So Loved The World"
First Word
Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34a).
All: Father, your Word says that you pity me the way a father pities his children. You know what I am made of; you remember that I am dust. Forgive me, Father, I truly don't know the full extent of anything I do (Psalm 103:13) (silence)
Second Word
"I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me" (Luke 23:39-43).
All: Thank you, Father, that it is never too late for me to cry out to you and to be accepted fully by you. Forgive me for the times I am too proud to admit my sin. Help me to turn to you. (silence)
Third Word
"He is your son." ... "She is your mother" (John 19:25-27).
All: In the middle of all your suffering, you thought of others. Forgive me, Jesus, for being so wrapped up in myself and my concerns that I ignore those around me. (silence)
Fourth Word
"Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" (Matthew 27:45-46).
All: Jesus, your word says that you know completely and totally what it is like to be a human being. You know -- more than I do -- what abandonment feels like. Thank you for becoming a human being, for living on this earth, and for dying a real death. (silence)
Fifth Word
"I am thirsty" (John 19:28).
Women: You promise to give us living water
Men: yet you thirsted.
All: And when you said you were thirsty, they gave you -- the creator of all -- cheap wine … vinegar to drink. You thirst for me, and I offer you -- my creator, my redeemer, my life -- cheap wine … vinegar. (silence)
Sixth Word
"It is finished" (John 19:30). (silence)
Seventh Word
"Father! In your hands I place my spirit!" (John 23:44-45).
Depart in silence
Almost 2,000 years ago, Good Friday seemingly extinguished the light of Christ come into the world. This service recalls that sense of emptiness by beginning (after an opening hymn and one or more pastoral reflections) in darkness. Candles are lit as passages about Jesus, the light of the world, are read from John's gospel. Then the focus turns to the seven last words spoken from the cross, and the candles are extinguished, returning the area to darkness.
Running Time
This service takes 30 to 75 minutes depending on the length of the pastoral reflection(s) and whether or not optional choral anthems are used.
Worship Notes
This service is written for nine readers, but can be adapted for as few as two. Readers should represent, if possible, different ages (elementary-age children through senior adults), genders, and ethnic backgrounds. The readings break sentences into fragments, each fragment being read by a different voice, to provide interest, to emphasize various words, and to convey a sense that the scriptures apply to each of us and are not limited to any one age or gender or nationality. Readers should practice together until the sentences flow smoothly. When words are repeated, each reader should vary the emphasis. For additional effect, position readers in different places throughout the sanctuary. The Leader can be one of the pastoral staff or one of the readers. The terms Men, Women, and All refer to the entire congregation. A sample bulletin is included with these parts written out. The silences allow people to absorb the scriptures. They are very important parts of the service and should not be rushed. Allow at least one full minute for each silence.
Setting
Seven candles are arranged across the front of the church -- on the altar or spaced across the altar rail. An acolyte holding a lit taper stands with his/her back to the congregation. As the scriptures are read during the first half of the service, the acolyte lights the appropriate candle. During the second half of the service, the acolyte extinguishes each candle. Alternatively, the candles may be placed throughout the sanctuary and a separate acolyte assigned to light/extinguish each candle. Because of the darkness, the readers and choir (if there is one) may need individual book lights or will need to memorize their lines/music. If the words to the songs or responses are projected onto screens, use dark backgrounds and gray or light purple lettering.
(At the beginning of the service, the house lights are up. Any announcements, welcoming statements, and opening prayers that are standard to a particular church should take place here before moving into the rest of the service.)
Opening Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1 and 2)
Pastoral Reflections On Good Friday
Possible topics include:
* Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane / Obedient unto death
Suggested scripture helps: Luke 22:39-53; 1 Corinthians 2:2-8; Hebrews 5:5-9
* What is good about Good Friday? / Redemption
Suggested scripture helps: Luke 22:54--23:56; Romans 5:6--6:10; Colossians 1:15-23
* It is finished / The final sacrifice
Suggested scripture helps: John 19; Hebrews 9-10; 1 Peter 1:21-25
Optional Choral Anthem
Leader: The rest of this service will begin and end in darkness. The darkness at the beginning symbolizes both the nothingness prior to creation and the spiritual darkness we all are in before we allow God's light to shine in us and through us. The darkness at the end recalls the darkness of that day almost 2,000 years ago when it appeared that God's light -- Jesus -- had been put out forever. For safety's sake, the ushers will not admit anyone into the sanctuary while it is dark. Because the lighting will be dim throughout, please do not move around. Keep your children with you. At the end of the service, please wait until the lights are brought back up before leaving. Please remain in the sanctuary in prayer as long as you like. When you leave, please leave in silence.
(House lights are turned off. One acolyte enters holding a lit taper, and stands in front of the candles turned away from the congregation.)
The Light Comes
Reader 1: In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God.
Reader 2: Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.
Reader 3: The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light (acolyte lights first candle) to people.
Reader 2: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out (John 1:1-5).
Reader 1: The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him.
Reader 3: He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him.
Reader 2: Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children. They did not become God's children by natural means, that is by being born as the children of a human father; God himself was their father.
Reader 3: The Word became a human being
Reader 2: and full of grace and truth, he lived among us. We saw his glory,
Reader 1: the glory which he received as the Father's only Son (John 1:10-14).
Reader 4: This was the real light (acolyte lights second candle) -- the light that comes into the world and shines on all people (John 1:9).
Reader 5: "I am the light (acolyte lights third candle) of the world," Jesus said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12).
Reader 6: Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light (Acolyte lights fourth candle) for the world" (John 9:45).
Reader 7: Jesus said, "... Those who walk in broad daylight do not stumble, for they see the light (acolyte lights fifth candle) of this world. But if they walk during the night they stumble, because they have no light" (John 11:9-10).
Reader 8: Jesus said, "The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Believe in the light (acolyte lights sixth candle), then, while you have it, so that you will be the people of the light" (John 12:35-36).
Reader 9: Jesus said in a loud voice, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in him who sent me. Whoever sees me sees also him who sent me.
Reader 8: I have come into the world as light (acolyte lights seventh candle), so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.
Reader 7: If people hear my message
Reader 9: and do not obey it
Reader 7: I will not judge them.
Reader 8: I came, not to judge the world, but to save it.
Reader 9: Those who reject me and do not accept my message have one who will judge them.
Reader 7: The words I have spoken
Reader 8: will be their judge on the last day!" (John 12:44-48).
Reader 1: Jesus said, "This is how the judgment works: the light
Reader 2: the light has come
Reader 3: has come into the world
Reader 2: but people love the darkness
Reader 1: rather than the light
Reader 2: because their deeds
Reader 3: their deeds are evil.
Reader 2: Those who do evil things hate the light
Reader 1: and will not come to the light
Reader 3: because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up" (John 3:18-20).
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 3 and 4)
Men: Then the Roman soldiers with their commanding officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus, tied him up, and took him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people (John 18:12-14).
Women: Early in the morning, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas' house to the governor's palace. ... Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers made a crown of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him and came to him and said, "Long live the King of the Jews!" and they went up and slapped him. ... Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified (John 18:28; 19:1-3, 16a).
All: So they took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified him, and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them (John 19:16b-18).
Optional Choral Anthem
"For God So Loved The World"
Silence
First Word
Reader 1: Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34a). (acolyte extinguishes seventh candle)
All: Father, your Word says that you pity me the way a father pities his children. You know what I am made of; you remember that I am dust. Forgive me, Father, I truly don't know the full extent of anything I do (Psalm 103:13).
Silence
Second Word
Reader 2: One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"
Reader 3: The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, "Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. Ours however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong." And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as king!"
Reader 1: Jesus said to him, "I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me" (Luke 23:39-43). (acolyte extinguishes sixth candle)
All: Thank you, Father, that it is never too late for me to cry out to you and to be accepted fully by you. Forgive me for the times I am too proud to admit my sin. Help me to turn to you.
Silence
Third Word
Reader 4: Standing close to Jesus' cross were his mother; his mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there
Reader 1: so he said to his mother, "He is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is your mother."
Reader 4: From that time the disciple took her to live in his home (John 19:25-27). (acolyte extinguishes fifth candle)
All: In the middle of all your suffering, you thought of others. Forgive me, Jesus, for being so wrapped up in myself and my concerns that I ignore those around me.
Silence
Fourth Word
Reader 5: At noon, the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours. At about three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout,
Reader 1: "Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" (Matthew 27:45-46). (acolyte extinguishes fourth candle)
All: Jesus, your word says that you know completely and totally what it is like to be a human being. You know -- more than I do -- what abandonment feels like. Thank you for becoming a human being, for living on this earth, and for dying a real death.
Silence
Fifth Word
Reader 6: Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said,
Reader 1: "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). (acolyte extinguishes third candle)
Women: You promise to give us living water
Men: yet you thirsted.
All: And when you said you were thirsty, they gave you -- the creator of all -- cheap wine ... vinegar to drink. You thirst for me, and I offer you -- my creator, my redeemer, my life -- cheap wine ... vinegar.
Silence
Sixth Word
Reader 7: Jesus drank the wine and said,
Reader 1: "It is finished" (John 19:30). (acolyte extinguishes second candle)
Silence
Seventh Word
Reader 8: It was about twelve o'clock when the sun stopped shining
Reader 9: and darkness covered the whole country until three o'clock;
Reader 8: and the curtain hanging in the temple was torn in two.
Reader 9: Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
Reader 1: "Father! In your hands I place my spirit!"
Reader 8: He said this
Reader 9: and died (John 23:44-45). (acolyte extinguishes first candle)
Depart in silence
Extinguished
Sample Bulletin
Welcome
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 1 and 2)
Pastoral Reflections And Prayer
Leader: The rest of this service will begin and end in darkness. The darkness at the beginning symbolizes both the nothingness prior to creation and the spiritual darkness we all are in before we allow God's light to shine in us and through us. The darkness at the end recalls the darkness of that day almost 2,000 years ago when it appeared that God's light -- Jesus -- had been put out forever. For safety's sake, the ushers will not admit anyone into the sanctuary while it is dark. Because the lighting will be dim throughout, please do not move around. Keep your children with you. At the end of the service, please wait until the lights are brought back up before leaving. Please remain in the sanctuary in prayer as long as you like. When you leave, please leave in silence. (lights off)
The Light Comes
John 1:1-14; 8:12; 9:45; 11:9-10; 12:35-36; 12:44-48; 3:18-20
Hymn
"Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" (vv. 3 and 4)
Men: Then the Roman soldiers with their commanding officer and the Jewish guards arrested Jesus, tied him up, and took him first to Annas. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people (John 18:12-14).
Women: Early in the morning, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas' house to the governor's palace.... Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers made a crown of thorny branches and put it on his head; then they put a purple robe on him and came to him and said, "Long live the King of the Jews!" and they went up and slapped him.... Then Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified (John 18:28; 19:1-3, 16a).
All: So they took charge of Jesus. He went out, carrying his cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified him, and they also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus between them (John 19:16b-18). (Silence)
Optional Choral Anthem
"For God So Loved The World"
First Word
Jesus said, "Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34a).
All: Father, your Word says that you pity me the way a father pities his children. You know what I am made of; you remember that I am dust. Forgive me, Father, I truly don't know the full extent of anything I do (Psalm 103:13) (silence)
Second Word
"I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me" (Luke 23:39-43).
All: Thank you, Father, that it is never too late for me to cry out to you and to be accepted fully by you. Forgive me for the times I am too proud to admit my sin. Help me to turn to you. (silence)
Third Word
"He is your son." ... "She is your mother" (John 19:25-27).
All: In the middle of all your suffering, you thought of others. Forgive me, Jesus, for being so wrapped up in myself and my concerns that I ignore those around me. (silence)
Fourth Word
"Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" (Matthew 27:45-46).
All: Jesus, your word says that you know completely and totally what it is like to be a human being. You know -- more than I do -- what abandonment feels like. Thank you for becoming a human being, for living on this earth, and for dying a real death. (silence)
Fifth Word
"I am thirsty" (John 19:28).
Women: You promise to give us living water
Men: yet you thirsted.
All: And when you said you were thirsty, they gave you -- the creator of all -- cheap wine … vinegar to drink. You thirst for me, and I offer you -- my creator, my redeemer, my life -- cheap wine … vinegar. (silence)
Sixth Word
"It is finished" (John 19:30). (silence)
Seventh Word
"Father! In your hands I place my spirit!" (John 23:44-45).
Depart in silence
