Good Friday: The Seven Last Words of Christ
Prelude
Please stand as you are able.
P: Is it nothing to you, all you that pass by?
C: Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
P: God commends His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
C: Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
P: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John:
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
All: O Lord our God, before your cross of agony, you suffered that we might be one in you; grant us, we pray, to lose ourselves and all that is petty and unholy in you, and to thirst for the accomplishments of your will in us and in all who name you Lord; that as you have died for all, so your church in all the world may be one in you. Amen.
The First Word
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Hymn #112
“Jesus, in Thy Dying Woes” v. 1-2
1 Jesus, in thy dying woes,
even while thy lifeblood flows,
craving pardon for thy foes:
hear us, holy Jesus.
2 Savior, for our pardon sue
when our sins thy pangs renew,
for we know not what we do:
hear us, holy Jesus.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12
12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
The Fulfillment: Luke 23:32-34
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us;
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, the measure of a man’s cruelty;
By your cross, the measure of your love;
By your cross, the measure of our guilt;
By your cross, the measure of Your pardon;
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: O Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
Who, when you were reviled, didn’t revile again, and when nailed on the cross prayed for those who nailed you there; implant in our hearts such love that we may be both forgiven and forgiving, and so overcome evil with good.
For your love’s sake, may we pardon our enemies and as children of the Heavenly Father, seek peace and rejoice in your grace. Amen.
The Second Word
“Today, you shall be with me in Paradise.”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #115
“Jesus, I Will Ponder Now” v. 1, 4
1 Jesus, I will ponder now
on your holy passion;
let your Spirit now endow
me for meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
may the image cherish
of your suff’ring, pain, and death,
that I may not perish.
4 Let me view your pain and loss
with repentant grieving,
nor prepare again your cross
by unholy living.
May I give you love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
that I may in heav’n above
sing your praise forever.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Isaiah 53:8-11
8 By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
9 They made his grave with the wicked
and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.
11 Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
The Fulfillment: Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding Jesus and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us;
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, Mercy after the fall;
By your cross, Welcome at a prodigal’s return;
By your cross, the very Gate of Heaven;
By your cross, Hope for every soul.
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: O Holy Jesus, who in infinite mercy accepted the conversion of the sinner upon the cross, and with loving kindness promised him paradise—
as you had mercy upon him, have mercy upon us and guard us against the evil of our days;
uphold us and guide us all our days, and finally, at the close of life, grant us a safe journey and joy in paradise forever. Amen.
The Third Word
“Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #112
“Jesus, in Thy Dying Woes” v. 7-8
7 Jesus, loving to the end
her whose heart thy sorrows rend,
and thy dearest human friend:
hear us, holy Jesus.
8 May we in thy sorrows share,
for thy sake all peril dare,
and enjoy thy tender care:
hear us, holy Jesus.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Luke 2:34-35
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Jesus’ mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
The Fulfillment: John 19:25-27
25 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, Winepress of our salvation;
By your cross, Tree of Life;
By your cross, Fountain of pity;
By your cross, Way of Blessedness;
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: O Lord Jesus, while you suffered the agony of the cross, you showed love for your sorrowing mother.
We implore you, regard in tender pity all parents whose hearts are torn by loss of loved ones or heavily laden with worries over self-willed and straying children;
and of your mercy, gather all within the grace of your cross, so that the bond of all families and of the body of Christ may be welded in love to you. Amen.
The Fourth Word
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #123
“Ah, Holy Jesus” v. 1, 3
1 Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
3 Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinnèd, and the Son hath suffered;
for man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5-7
5 He was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
The Fulfillment: Matthew 27:45-46
45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, the truth about God;
By your cross, the truth about man;
By your cross, the truth about yourself;
By your cross, the truth about your Church;
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: Lord God, Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, you hold all the might of humankind in your hand:
Do not forsake your world which your Son has redeemed by his cross and passion.
Though we are constantly threatened by the power of Satan, our own passions, and the evil of others, cause the righteousness of Jesus Christ to be the reconciliation of every nation and the grace of his forgiveness to be the sure salvation of every heart. Amen.
The Fifth Word
“I thirst”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #112
“Jesus, in Thy Dying Woes” v. 13, 15
13 Jesus, in thy thirst and pain,
while thy wounds thy lifeblood drain,
thirsting more our love to gain:
hear us, holy Jesus.
15 May we thirst thy love to know;
lead us in our sin and woe
where the healing waters flow:
hear us, holy Jesus.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Psalm 69:20-21
20 Insults have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none;
and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
The Fulfillment: John 19:28-29
28 When Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, guide the blind;
By your cross, support the lonely;
By your cross, comfort the sad;
By your cross, grant hope to the dying;
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: O Jesus, Lord and Savior, you endured the cross for our sakes and in bitterest suffering of flesh and spirit you atoned for our sins.
We thirst for your healing water of life and beseech you, awaken in us a thirst for souls.
Cause the refreshment of your Gospel to renew the withered lives of all people, that through your Gospel, they may be brought from sorrow to praise, from despair to hope, through your mercy, O Lord our God. Amen.
The Sixth Word
“It is finished”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #117
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” v. 1-2
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.
2 How art thou pale with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn;
how does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
Thy grief and bitter passion
were all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Isaiah 54:10
10 For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
The Fulfillment: John 19:30
30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, perfect love;
By your cross, perfect obedience;
By your cross, perfect grace;
By your cross, perfect sacrifice;
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: O Jesus, Lord and Savior, you are the author and finisher of our faith: Bring to fruition in us that good work which you accomplished for us.
Support us all the day long in this troublesome life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening of life comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done.
Have mercy upon us both now and at the hour of our death. Grant us a holy rest and peace at the last. In your name we pray. Amen.
The Seventh Word
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Please stand as you are able.
Hymn #111
“Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless” v. 1, 3
1 Lamb of God, pure and sinless,
once on the cross an off’ring,
patient, meek, though guiltless,
forsaken in your suff’ring!
You died our guilt to banish
that none in sin need perish.
Grant us your mercy, O Jesus!
3 Lamb of God, pure and sinless,
once on the cross an off’ring,
patient, meek, though guiltless,
forsaken in your suff’ring!
You died our guilt to banish
that none in sin need perish.
Your peace be with us, O Jesus! Amen
Please be seated.
The Prophecy: Revelation 5:11-13
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice,
”Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,
”To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!”
The Fulfillment: Luke 23:46
46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Reflection
Silence for meditation
A: O Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us.
C: Save us and help us, we humbly pray, O Lord.
A: By your cross, the school of Holy Living;
By your cross, the Peace that the world cannot give or take away;
By your cross, the Praise of angels
and the glory of saints and martyrs forever:
C: Save us, O Christ.
All: Lord Jesus Christ, you ever live to make intercession for us:
You have taken the sting of death and robbed the grave of victory; to you is given the Name which is above every name, for you are Lord of all;
we implore you, that, washed of our sin in your blood, and made children of God through your victory, and strengthened by your grace, we may be yours through all our days and in the hour of our death.
And, then, may we know your glorious triumph over the grave and come to the peace and joy you have prepared for those who love you;
Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please stand as you are able.
P: Unto him who loved us
And washed us in his own blood
And has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father,
To him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
C: Amen.
We depart in silence.
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Carolyn Koehl, Organist
Carroll Mayhugh, Assisting Minister
Cindy Mayhugh, Reader
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 15: Good Friday
12 pm Worship Service: Seven Last Words of Christ
7 pm Worship Service: Veneration of the Cross
Saturday, April 16
2 pm Youth Group Easter Lock-In begins
Sunday, April 17: Easter Day
9 am Easter Breakfast
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Easter Egg Hunt
Monday, April 18
7 pm Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 19
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Wednesday, April 20
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, April 21
10:30 am Bible study
Sunday, April 24: The Second Sunday of Easter
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Quarterly Congregational Meeting
Monday, April 25
**Epistle articles deadline**
Wednesday, April 27
6 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, April 28
10:30 am Bible study
5:45 pm Rehearsal for Reading Baccalaureate Service
6 pm BSA Troop Meeting
Saturday, April 30
1 pm Gather Cincinnati Young Adults Group
6 pm Youth Group
Copyright Notices
Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless: Tr. by Joel W. Lundeen © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.