CANDLES (Unlit Candle)

We remember the darkness of Jesus’s last days, and we wait for the dawn of Easter morning.

 

READ: JOHN 18:1-19:42

 

ACT: GOOD FRIDAY REPROACHES

Today is our day of mourning. We mourn for ourselves, for others, and for our world, and as we do we mourn with God in the person of Jesus on the cross. Pause after each reproach to sit in silence and prayer.

 

1) O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? I led you forth from the land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

2) I led you through the desert forty years and fed you with manna; I brought you through times of persecution and of renewal and gave you my body, the bread of heaven; but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

3) I made you branches of my vineyard and gave you the water of salvation, but when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar and gall and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

​

4) I went before you in a pillar of cloud, but you have led me to the judgment hall of Pilate. I brought you to a land of freedom and prosperity, but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

5) I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys to the kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I raised you on high with great power, but you have hanged me on the cross.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

6) My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a servant, but you draw the sword to strike in my name and seek high places in my kingdom.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

7) I accepted the cup of suffering and death for your sakes, but you scatter and deny and abandon me. I sent the Spirit of truth to lead you, but you close your hearts to guidance.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

8) I called you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for my clothing. I prayed that you all may be one, but you continue to quarrel and divide.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

9) I grafted you into the tree of my chosen people Israel, but you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

10) I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters. I was hungry but you gave me no food, thirsty but you gave me no drink. I was a stranger but you did not welcome me, naked but you did not clothe me, sick and in prison but you did not visit me.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.

 

PRAYER

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.