Good Friday Worship Service – Mar 29
Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada
Friday March 29, 2024 Good Friday
Minister: Kelly Grittner, DLM
Music Ministry: Lee Dowan and Dr Alex Shawn
This is an adaptation of a service written by Susan Lukey and David Robertson, High River U.C., High River, Alta. As found on www.gatherings.ca
Prelude: In the Garden – arr. M. Hayes
OPENING READING “A Gate Called Truth” (Ann Weems)
Call to Worship Part 1
Rainbow colours, vibrant and dancing across the path of life. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, Filling our lives with wonder hope and possibility.
Jesus came, sharing the path of human life,
declaring and living possibility in the midst of poverty,
freedom in the midst of Roman occupation,
hope in the midst of despair,
joy in the midst of sorrow,
life in the midst of death.
Jesus came as vibrant light in a shadowed world.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
We light this candle today as a symbol of the love and grace that saturated the life of our friend and guide, Jesus Christ
It shines in this place
It shines in and through us.
It shows us the way on this difficult day.
Call to Worship Part 2
Rainbow colours dancing across the path of life
Until suddenly shadows fall, blocking the light,
greying the rainbow,
shadows of Roman puppets and power,
shadows that appear stronger than the possibility and freedom,
the hope and joy and life that Jesus offers.
We gather to worship today in the growing shadows.
We gather to worship even as the rainbow fades and fear takes hold of our hearts.
Opening Prayer
Hymn Deep in Our Hearts MV 154
Scripture Reading # 1 John 18:12-27 Larry
Peter’s denial and the high priest
The red cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Scripture Reading # 2 John 18:28-40 Dr. Alex
Jesus before Pilate
The orange cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Scripture Reading # 3 John 19:1-16a Zoe
Jesus is sentenced to death
The yellow cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Special Music – If You Love Me (From At His Name)
J. Raney
Scripture Reading # 4 John 19:16b-25a Joyce
Jesus is crucified The green cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Scripture Reading # 5 John 19:25b-30 Hazel
Jesus dies
The blue cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Scripture Reading # 6 John 19:31-42 Ron
The burial of Jesus’ body
The purple cloth is removed. A time for silent prayer
Reflection
Offering of Music – Kelly “Deeply Hid Within Me” (Shaun Coburn)
Listen here
Welcome and Announcements
Profession of Faith
Wait in faith now people of God.
Wait and if your faith runs low,
touch the hands of those around you
who sit and wait beside the tomb.
We will wait in faith, Jesus Christ.
Wait in faith over these next three days,
Wait in hope for the risen life of God
to visit the people in grace.
Wait in openness for gifts beyond imagining.
For this is the Christ, the Human One
whose love will never be defeated.
We will wait in hope. Amen
Postlude The Old Rugged Cross – arr. M. Hayes