The Suffering Servant
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Services For Special Days
Hymn Services And Readings For Special Times Of The Year
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
Traditionally, in many churches, Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is a remembrance of the last supper before the crucifixion. In the early church, the entire week was one of remembrance. In more recent years, we go from Palm Sunday to Easter sometimes without a service on Thursday and sometimes a Good Friday service. That's why you will find the Palm/Passion service, Maundy Thursday service, and the Good Friday service all sound similar and use some of the same scriptures and hymns.
The altar should be set with seven candles. This may include the altar candles and may be various sizes and colors, arranged randomly on "hills" of purple cloth. They are all lighted by the acolyte with the regular altar candles. At the appointed time for each candle, the acolyte extinguishes them. (If more than one acolyte, they can alternate extinguishing the candles.)
The antiphonal readings in this service are paraphrased from the Gospel of Mark and written in such a way that the entire congregation can participate, or if this is not possible because of the cost of printing programs, the choir can do the reading except for those appointed to be specific characters.
Readers for this service are:
Pastor
Liturgist
Jesus
Peter
Pilate
Men
Women
All (Congregation or Choir)
(The Liturgist or Leader can be one of the readers.)
Printed scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
An offering can be inserted before the first hymn, or you may want to have offering plates at the exit of the sanctuary.
Bulletin
The Suffering Servant
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
Prelude
Lighting Of Candles
Call To Worship (Responsively)
Isaiah 52:7
Leader:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace.
People:
Who brings good news.
Leader:
Who announces salvation.
People:
Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Prayer (In Unison)
Psalm 88:1-2
O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. Amen.
Hymn
"Ah, Holy Jesus"
Welcome, Greeting, And Announcements
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:1-11
Extinguish First Candle
Hymn
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:12-25
Service Of Holy Communion
(use denominational service)
Extinguish Second Candle
Hymn
"Fill My Cup"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:26-50
Extinguish Third Candle
Hymn
"Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:53-72
Extinguish Fourth Candle
Hymn
"What Wondrous Love" (vv. 1 and 2)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:1-19
Extinguish Fifth Candle
Hymn
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:20-37
Extinguish Sixth Candle
Hymn
"He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:38-47
Extinguish Seventh Candle
Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"
Benediction (Pastor)
Postlude
Service
The Suffering Servant
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
Prelude
Lighting Of Candles
Call To Worship (Responsively)
Isaiah 52:7
Leader:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace.
People:
Who brings good news.
Leader:
Who announces salvation.
People:
Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Prayer (In Unison)
Psalm 88:1-2
O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. Amen.
Hymn
"Ah, Holy Jesus"
Welcome, Greeting, And Announcements
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:1-11
Pastor: It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest and kill Jesus; for they said,
All: Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.
Pastor: While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard,
Women: And she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some said to one another in anger,
Men: Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than 300 denari, and the money given to the poor.
Pastor: And they scolded her. But Jesus said,
Jesus: Let her alone, why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you will always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them wherever they are; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.
Women: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.
Men: When they heard it they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money.
All: So he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Extinguish First Candle
Hymn
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:12-25
Pastor: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him,
Men: Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Pastor: So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,
Jesus: Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and say to the owner of the house,
All: The Teacher asks, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"
Jesus: He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.
Pastor: So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them. They prepared the Passover meal.
Women: When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said,
Jesus: Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.
Women: They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another,
Men: Surely, not I.
Pastor: He said to them,
Jesus: It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that one not to have been born.
Pastor: While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said,
Jesus: Take; this is my body,
Pastor: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them,
Jesus: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Service Of Holy Communion (Use Denominational Service)
Extinguish Second Candle
Hymn
"Fill My Cup"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:26-50
Pastor: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them,
Jesus: You will all become deserters; for it is written,
All: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
Jesus: But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.
Pastor: Peter said to him,
Peter: Even though all become deserters, I will not.
Pastor: Jesus said to him,
Jesus: Truly, I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Pastor: But he said vehemently,
Peter: Even if I die with you, I will not deny you.
Pastor: And all of them said the same. They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
Jesus: Sit here while I pray.
Pastor: He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them,
Jesus: I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.
Pastor: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed,
Jesus: If it is possible, let this hour pass from me.
Pastor: He said,
Jesus: Abba. Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.
Pastor: Jesus came and found the three disciples sleeping and said to Peter,
Jesus: Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Pastor: And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them,
Jesus: Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Pastor: Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Women: Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying,
Men: The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.
Women: So when Judas came, he went up to Jesus at once and said,
Men: Rabbi!
Women: And kissed him.
Pastor: Then they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus: Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching and you did not arrest me.
Pastor: All of them deserted him and fled.
Extinguish Third Candle
Hymn
"Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:53-72
Pastor: They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled.
Men: Peter had followed at a distance. In the courtyard of the high priest; he sat with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
Women: Now the chief priests and the whole council looked for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.
Pastor: Many gave false testimony against him and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and said,
All: We heard him say, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands and in three days, I will build another, not made with hands."
Pastor: But even on this point their testimony did not agree.
Women: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,
Men: Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?
Women: But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him,
Men: Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?
Pastor: Jesus said,
Jesus: I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.
Pastor: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
Men: Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?
Women: All of them condemned him as deserving death.
Pastor: Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him,
All: Prophesy!
Pastor: The guards took him and beat him. While Peter was still in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said,
Women: You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.
Pastor: But Peter denied it. He said,
Peter: I don't know what you are talking about.
Pastor: As he went out into the forecourt, the cock crowed. The servant-girl said to the bystanders,
Women: This man is one of them.
Pastor: Again he denied it. After a little while, one of the bystanders said to Peter,
All: Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.
Pastor: He cursed and he swore an oath,
Peter: I do not know this man you are talking about.
Pastor: At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him,
Jesus: Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.
Pastor: And he broke down and wept.
Extinguish Fourth Candle
Hymn
"What Wondrous Love" (vv. 1 and 2)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:1-19
Pastor: As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him,
Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?
Pastor: He answered him,
Jesus: That is what you say.
Women: The chief priests accused him of many things.
Pastor: Pilate asked him again,
Pilate: Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.
Pastor: But Jesus made no further reply. Pilate was amazed.
Men: Now at the festival Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
All: The crowd asked Pilate to do for them according to his custom.
Pastor: Then he answered,
Pilate: Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?
Pastor: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
Women: But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pastor: Pilate spoke to them again,
Pilate: What then do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?
Pastor: They shouted back,
All: Crucify him!
Pastor: Pilate asked them,
Pilate: Why, what evil has he done?
Pastor: But they shouted all the more,
All: Crucify him!
Pastor: So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Women: The soldiers led him into the courtyard and called the whole company.
Men: They clothed him in a purple cloak. After twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.
Pastor: And saluted him,
All: Hail, King of the Jews!
Pastor: They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt in homage to him.
Extinguish Fifth Candle
Hymn
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:20-37
Pastor: After they mocked Jesus, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Men: They compelled Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Women: Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull).
Men: They offered him wine mixed with myrrh;
Women: But he did not take it.
All: They crucified him, and cast lots to divide his clothes among them.
Pastor: It was nine o'clock in the morning. They inscription of the charge against him read,
All: The King of the Jews.
Pastor: With him were two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him. They shook their heads and said,
Women: Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Men: Save yourself and come down from the cross!
Pastor: The chief priests, along with the scribes, also mocked him among themselves and said,
All: He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.
Pastor: Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice.
Jesus: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. [E'-lo-i, E'-lo-i, la'-ma sa-back-tha'-ni]
Pastor: Which means?
Jesus: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Women: Some of the bystanders said,
Men: Listen, he is calling for Elijah.
Women: Someone filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. They said,
Men: See if Elijah will come to take him down.
Extinguish Sixth Candle
Hymn
"He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:38-47
Pastor: Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Men: And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Pastor: Now when the centurion, who stood facing him saw it, he said,
Men: Truly this man was God's Son!
Women: Some women looked on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses; and Salome. These used to follow him and provide for him when he was in Galilee. Other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.
Pastor: When evening had come, and since it was the Day of Preparation, that is the day before the Sabbath,
Men: Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, was also a believer. He waited with expectation for the kingdom of God. He went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Women: Pilate wondered if he were already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked if he was dead.
All: When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.
Women: Joseph bought a linen cloth and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth,
Men: And laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
All: He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
Pastor: Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
Extinguish Seventh Candle
Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"
Benediction (Pastor)
Postlude
Traditionally, in many churches, Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is a remembrance of the last supper before the crucifixion. In the early church, the entire week was one of remembrance. In more recent years, we go from Palm Sunday to Easter sometimes without a service on Thursday and sometimes a Good Friday service. That's why you will find the Palm/Passion service, Maundy Thursday service, and the Good Friday service all sound similar and use some of the same scriptures and hymns.
The altar should be set with seven candles. This may include the altar candles and may be various sizes and colors, arranged randomly on "hills" of purple cloth. They are all lighted by the acolyte with the regular altar candles. At the appointed time for each candle, the acolyte extinguishes them. (If more than one acolyte, they can alternate extinguishing the candles.)
The antiphonal readings in this service are paraphrased from the Gospel of Mark and written in such a way that the entire congregation can participate, or if this is not possible because of the cost of printing programs, the choir can do the reading except for those appointed to be specific characters.
Readers for this service are:
Pastor
Liturgist
Jesus
Peter
Pilate
Men
Women
All (Congregation or Choir)
(The Liturgist or Leader can be one of the readers.)
Printed scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
An offering can be inserted before the first hymn, or you may want to have offering plates at the exit of the sanctuary.
Bulletin
The Suffering Servant
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
Prelude
Lighting Of Candles
Call To Worship (Responsively)
Isaiah 52:7
Leader:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace.
People:
Who brings good news.
Leader:
Who announces salvation.
People:
Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Prayer (In Unison)
Psalm 88:1-2
O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. Amen.
Hymn
"Ah, Holy Jesus"
Welcome, Greeting, And Announcements
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:1-11
Extinguish First Candle
Hymn
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:12-25
Service Of Holy Communion
(use denominational service)
Extinguish Second Candle
Hymn
"Fill My Cup"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:26-50
Extinguish Third Candle
Hymn
"Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:53-72
Extinguish Fourth Candle
Hymn
"What Wondrous Love" (vv. 1 and 2)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:1-19
Extinguish Fifth Candle
Hymn
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:20-37
Extinguish Sixth Candle
Hymn
"He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:38-47
Extinguish Seventh Candle
Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"
Benediction (Pastor)
Postlude
Service
The Suffering Servant
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
Prelude
Lighting Of Candles
Call To Worship (Responsively)
Isaiah 52:7
Leader:
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace.
People:
Who brings good news.
Leader:
Who announces salvation.
People:
Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Prayer (In Unison)
Psalm 88:1-2
O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. Amen.
Hymn
"Ah, Holy Jesus"
Welcome, Greeting, And Announcements
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:1-11
Pastor: It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest and kill Jesus; for they said,
All: Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.
Pastor: While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard,
Women: And she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some said to one another in anger,
Men: Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than 300 denari, and the money given to the poor.
Pastor: And they scolded her. But Jesus said,
Jesus: Let her alone, why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you will always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them wherever they are; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.
Women: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.
Men: When they heard it they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money.
All: So he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Extinguish First Candle
Hymn
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:12-25
Pastor: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him,
Men: Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?
Pastor: So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,
Jesus: Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and say to the owner of the house,
All: The Teacher asks, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"
Jesus: He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.
Pastor: So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them. They prepared the Passover meal.
Women: When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said,
Jesus: Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.
Women: They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another,
Men: Surely, not I.
Pastor: He said to them,
Jesus: It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been better for that one not to have been born.
Pastor: While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said,
Jesus: Take; this is my body,
Pastor: Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them,
Jesus: This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Service Of Holy Communion (Use Denominational Service)
Extinguish Second Candle
Hymn
"Fill My Cup"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:26-50
Pastor: When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them,
Jesus: You will all become deserters; for it is written,
All: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
Jesus: But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.
Pastor: Peter said to him,
Peter: Even though all become deserters, I will not.
Pastor: Jesus said to him,
Jesus: Truly, I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.
Pastor: But he said vehemently,
Peter: Even if I die with you, I will not deny you.
Pastor: And all of them said the same. They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,
Jesus: Sit here while I pray.
Pastor: He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them,
Jesus: I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.
Pastor: And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed,
Jesus: If it is possible, let this hour pass from me.
Pastor: He said,
Jesus: Abba. Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.
Pastor: Jesus came and found the three disciples sleeping and said to Peter,
Jesus: Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Pastor: And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them,
Jesus: Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.
Pastor: Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Women: Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying,
Men: The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.
Women: So when Judas came, he went up to Jesus at once and said,
Men: Rabbi!
Women: And kissed him.
Pastor: Then they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus: Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching and you did not arrest me.
Pastor: All of them deserted him and fled.
Extinguish Third Candle
Hymn
"Go To Dark Gethsemane" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 14:53-72
Pastor: They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled.
Men: Peter had followed at a distance. In the courtyard of the high priest; he sat with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
Women: Now the chief priests and the whole council looked for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.
Pastor: Many gave false testimony against him and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and said,
All: We heard him say, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands and in three days, I will build another, not made with hands."
Pastor: But even on this point their testimony did not agree.
Women: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus,
Men: Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?
Women: But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him,
Men: Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?
Pastor: Jesus said,
Jesus: I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.
Pastor: Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
Men: Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?
Women: All of them condemned him as deserving death.
Pastor: Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him,
All: Prophesy!
Pastor: The guards took him and beat him. While Peter was still in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said,
Women: You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.
Pastor: But Peter denied it. He said,
Peter: I don't know what you are talking about.
Pastor: As he went out into the forecourt, the cock crowed. The servant-girl said to the bystanders,
Women: This man is one of them.
Pastor: Again he denied it. After a little while, one of the bystanders said to Peter,
All: Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.
Pastor: He cursed and he swore an oath,
Peter: I do not know this man you are talking about.
Pastor: At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him,
Jesus: Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.
Pastor: And he broke down and wept.
Extinguish Fourth Candle
Hymn
"What Wondrous Love" (vv. 1 and 2)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:1-19
Pastor: As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him,
Pilate: Are you the King of the Jews?
Pastor: He answered him,
Jesus: That is what you say.
Women: The chief priests accused him of many things.
Pastor: Pilate asked him again,
Pilate: Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.
Pastor: But Jesus made no further reply. Pilate was amazed.
Men: Now at the festival Pilate used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
All: The crowd asked Pilate to do for them according to his custom.
Pastor: Then he answered,
Pilate: Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?
Pastor: For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
Women: But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pastor: Pilate spoke to them again,
Pilate: What then do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?
Pastor: They shouted back,
All: Crucify him!
Pastor: Pilate asked them,
Pilate: Why, what evil has he done?
Pastor: But they shouted all the more,
All: Crucify him!
Pastor: So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Women: The soldiers led him into the courtyard and called the whole company.
Men: They clothed him in a purple cloak. After twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.
Pastor: And saluted him,
All: Hail, King of the Jews!
Pastor: They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt in homage to him.
Extinguish Fifth Candle
Hymn
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (v. 1)
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:20-37
Pastor: After they mocked Jesus, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
Men: They compelled Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Women: Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of the skull).
Men: They offered him wine mixed with myrrh;
Women: But he did not take it.
All: They crucified him, and cast lots to divide his clothes among them.
Pastor: It was nine o'clock in the morning. They inscription of the charge against him read,
All: The King of the Jews.
Pastor: With him were two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him. They shook their heads and said,
Women: Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days,
Men: Save yourself and come down from the cross!
Pastor: The chief priests, along with the scribes, also mocked him among themselves and said,
All: He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.
Pastor: Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice.
Jesus: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. [E'-lo-i, E'-lo-i, la'-ma sa-back-tha'-ni]
Pastor: Which means?
Jesus: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Women: Some of the bystanders said,
Men: Listen, he is calling for Elijah.
Women: Someone filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. They said,
Men: See if Elijah will come to take him down.
Extinguish Sixth Candle
Hymn
"He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word"
Antiphonal Reading
Mark 15:38-47
Pastor: Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Men: And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Pastor: Now when the centurion, who stood facing him saw it, he said,
Men: Truly this man was God's Son!
Women: Some women looked on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses; and Salome. These used to follow him and provide for him when he was in Galilee. Other women had come up with him to Jerusalem.
Pastor: When evening had come, and since it was the Day of Preparation, that is the day before the Sabbath,
Men: Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, was also a believer. He waited with expectation for the kingdom of God. He went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Women: Pilate wondered if he were already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked if he was dead.
All: When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.
Women: Joseph bought a linen cloth and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth,
Men: And laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
All: He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
Pastor: Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.
Extinguish Seventh Candle
Hymn
"The Old Rugged Cross"
Benediction (Pastor)
Postlude
