The Triduum:
Good Friday
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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We begin our liturgy as we ended the Maundy Thursday Liturgy: in silence.
What was begun then continues this day as we journey with our Savior from the Last Supper, the stripping and humiliation, to the cross and tomb. Good Friday is the second day of the Triduum, the "Three Sacred Days" of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday with its Vigil of Easter.
The Good Friday Liturgy is marked with austerity, silence and reflection. The chancel itself is bare from the Maundy Thursday stripping. There is no organ music except to accompany the hymns. Everything focuses on our adoration of the crucified Christ, reigning from the throne of the cross.
The opening portion of the liturgy includes no praise. It proceeds directly to the Prayer of the Day. It is a simplified version of our Sunday Liturgy of the Word. The chief acts are the reading of the Passion of St. John and the Bidding Prayer for the needs of our world.
A large crucifix, which vividly and dramatically portrays the events of this day, is then brought into the church in solemn procession to become the focus of our adoration of the crucified Christ. Placed upon the altar, the crucifix is central to our meditations in word and in silence. The words of meditation are the ancient Reproaches. The words of reproach are those of God directed to us, his people, who have crucified the Savior of the world by our sin. The Reproaches expand upon the words of the prophet Micah (6:3-5) and burn in our hearts. The liturgy does not end on this note of reproach, however. The closing versicles and prayer emphasize the triumph and redemption that comes through the cross.
All then depart in silence without benediction. Christ's death is not God's final word. We keep vigil for Christ's resurrection as the conclusion to our Triduum,the Vigil of Easter, tomorrow at 9 p.m.
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LITURGY OF THE WORD
Silence is kept as the people gather.
As the ministers enter, all stand for prayer.
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Prayer of the Day:
P. Almighty God, we ask you to look with mercy on your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over to the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
The people are seated.
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First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Period of Silence
Hymn #117 "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
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The Passion According to St. John (Pink Folder)
Hymn #92 "Were You There "
Sermon
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Offering, Hymn during the Offering:
Hymn #110 "At the Cross, Her Station Keeping"
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Bidding Prayer (Altar Book or Min. Desk Edition, p.139)
The people pray silently after each bid made by the Assisting Minister and then respond "Amen" at the close of the Presiding Minister's prayer.
Our Father
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ADORATION OF THE CROSS
As the crucifix is brought into the church, the following is said three times:
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P. Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the whole world.
C. Oh, come, let us worship him.
After the crucifix is placed on the altar, the people are seated.
A period of silence follows.
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Meditation 1:
P. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
C. By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
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P. May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance, and come to us.
C. Let your ways be known upon the earth, your saving health among all nations.
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P. Let all the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
C. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
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Period of Silence
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Meditation 2 -- Reproaches:
P. O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me! I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you have led your Savior to the cross.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
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P. For forty years, I led you safely through the desert. I fed you with manna from heaven and brought you to a land of plenty, but you have led your Savior to the cross.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
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P. What more could I have done for you? I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness; when I was thirsty, you gave me vinegar to drink, and you pierced your Savior's side with a spear.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
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Period of Silence
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Meditation 3 -- Reproaches:
P. For your sake, I scourged Egypt and its first-born sons, and you have handed me over to be scourged. I led you from slavery to freedom and drowned your captors in the sea, but you have handed me over to your high priests. I opened the sea before you, but you opened my side with a spear.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
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P. I led your way in a pillar of cloud, but you led me to Pilate's court. I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me. I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
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P. For you I struck down the kings of Canaan, but you struck my head with a reed. I gave you a royal scepter, but you gave me a crown of thorns. I raised you to a height of majesty, but you raised me high on a cross.
C. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!
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Period of Silence
Hymn #123 "Ah, Holy Jesus"
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CLOSING RITE
The people stand
P. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
C. By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
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P. If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
C. If we endure, we shall also reign with him.
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P. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray to set your passion, cross and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your Holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
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All depart in silence, without benediction.
The service continues tomorrow with the Great Vigil of Easter at 9 p.m.
Please return the pink folders to ushers
Remain and pray as long as you wish.
Liturgy
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