18 April 2025

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Good Friday

Hebrews 10:16-25 (A,B,C)

Do We Deny Jesus?

 

Additional Scriptures

Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Psalm 22; John 18:1—19:42; Doctrine and Covenants 165:6b-c

 

Preparation

Form the worship setting around a cross. The cross may be at the front of a sanctuary or on a small table in the center of an intimate circle. Place a lit Christ candle (white) near the cross. Consider using candles and low lighting to reflect the somber tone of this experience and emphasize the symbolism of the shadow of the cross. Have LED tealight candles for each participant. Leave a space at the worship center for participants to leave their candles later in the gathering.

 

Prelude

Hymn(s) to Gather and Reflect

Rather than using only one of these songs, consider using two to invite participants into a longer space of reflection and preparation. These Taizé choruses are meant to be repeated many times, chant-like.

“Bleibet hier”     CCS 468

The English found at the bottom of the page under German text meaning is singable: “Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray….”

OR “Wait for the Lord”    CCS 399

OR “Jesus, Remember Me”   CCS 459

 

Welcome

Tonight, we recall the death of Jesus. Before us is the cross, a symbol of our faith, but also of needless suffering. We gather to mourn Jesus’s broken body. We gather to remember. We gather to be mindful of where the suffering and dying Christ is in our communities, and in every corner of the world.

As we again hear this familiar and harrowing story through scripture, let us be mindful of the darkness in our present world, and what a meaningful and loving presence to that darkness might look like.

 

The Suffering and Death of Jesus at the Cross

Identify six readers for these different text sections or split up the parts as possible in your community. Choose one of the two hymns to sing between the reading of each passage of scripture.

            Scripture Reading: John: 18:1-11

            Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”    CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”    CCS 200

 

Scripture Reading: John 18:12-27

Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”    CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”     CCS 200

 

Scripture Reading: John 18:28—19:7

Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”  CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”   CCS 200

 

Scripture Reading: John 19:8-22

Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”    CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”        CCS 200

 

Scripture Reading: John 19:23-30

Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”      CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”   CCS 200

 

Scripture Reading: John 19:31-42

Extinguish the Christ candle.

 

Hymn of Reflection

“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”     CCS 192

OR “Senzeni Na”       CCS 200

 

Activity: Where Is the Body of Christ in Our World?

Have a musician or prepared instrumental music tracks for the moments of reflection. Print or project the Reflection Question.

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:6b-c

            Reflection

These words of revelation remind us that the suffering Christ is an important being in our missional journey. We are reminded that suffering leads to transformation, but also, that as disciples we must be present to the suffering of the world around us. In the coming minutes, we will reflect and respond to the following question:

Where do you see Christ’s body broken in the suffering of our world?

Take a few quiet moments as instrumental music is played to be mindful of your response to this question. After the music ends, we will offer an opportunity to share your candle, representing your commitment to be light and presence to the suffering of the world around us. You may bring your candle to the cross in silence or make a short statement about the suffering you witness and feel called to hold light toward.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:16-25

            Reflectively read this scripture.

 

Hymn of Prayer, Hope, and Union with our God      

“Come and Bring Light”   CCS 287

OR “Healer of our Every Ill”   CCS 547

OR “Ah, Holy Jesus”      CCS 461

           

Seek Peace: A Loving Look at the Body of Christ

Light the peace candle.

Do we deny Jesus?

His holy calling?

His cultural resistance?

His humanity?

Do we deny his transforming love?

Do we deny his presence with us now?

 

To deny Jesus is to deny ourselves,

Jesus, who embodies the fullness of our humanity,

And the fullness of our divinity

Jesus, our flesh

Jesus, our souls

Jesus with us, among us, ahead of us.

Jesus, who resides in our greatest anxieties and questions

Jesus, who can be found in the darkest corners of our communities

Jesus, the victim of gun violence, abuse, racism, political oppression,

The suffering heart of all manifestations of violence in our world.

Jesus, whose body is broken and over and over again

Each time we chose to wound our siblings on this planet

 

And also Jesus, our greatest hope

The dimmest light in the darkest night

The germinating seed in the driest ground

The sour wine on a thirsty tongue

The Divine that bows with grace and compassion during final breaths.

 

We must choose to offer a loving look,

Not only for what we hope might be,

But for the fullness of what is before us.

We must acknowledge that this world is broken

If we are ever to begin the work of healing and repair.

 

See and know the suffering love of Christ,

Trust in the promise of everlasting life.

Know that even in the brokenness, there is peace.

 

Sending Forth: Go in Peace.

Exit in silence.

 

 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year C—Letters
Good Friday

 

Hebrews 10:16–25

 

Exploring the Scripture

Hebrews is a sermon written to a community in crisis. Authored by an unknown preacher during second-generation Christianity or late in the first century, this pastoral conversation centers on the meaning of Christ.

Although the author is unidentified, he probably was a Jewish Christian and perhaps part of the Pauline circle—but not Paul. The group, probably Jewish converts or perhaps a Jewish and Gentile mixture, struggled with disillusionment and persecution. People were in doubt and in danger of losing their Christian identity. It was a challenging and dark time.

This letter uses a theologically laden interpretation of scripture to reassure the readers of the new covenant embodied in Christ and urge them to remain committed. Today’s passage echoes this message, portrays hope, and fits a Good Friday message well. Verses 16–18 quote Jeremiah 31:33–34 with a final emphasis on forgiveness of sins. The preacher reassures the congregation of this new covenant, which showers God’s grace on them. This sacred relationship becomes God-centered and relational with the Divine and others.

Using the words mind and heart, the author refers to the center of being—where God, through Jesus Christ, is encountered. Then, after using Jeremiah’s message of the covenant, the writer transitions to a threefold urging of faith, hope, and love: 1) Faith: “...let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith...” (v. 22); 2) Hope: “let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering...” (v. 23); 3) Love: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds” (v. 24). Then, in conclusion, the author focuses on “encouraging one another” through the challenging times (v. 25).

On this Good Friday, we, like these early Christians, live in momentous, disruptive, and alarming times. Many in our society question or misuse the meaning of Christ in our time, place, and culture. We may even waver in our commitment as disciples. As we commemorate this day, we recognize these doubts and misgivings. We recognize Jesus was crucified. It is a time of darkness, grief, and sorrow. We lament our doubt and reflect on the meaning of Christ in our lives.

This passage encourages the proper response. It reminds us to enter a sacred covenant relationship with God through Christ. We yearn to be in a relationship with the Divine. We are called to allow God to be at the center of our being.

God’s new covenant signals a bright future as we look toward Easter Sunday. God has made a covenant to be in interrelation with humanity. God wishes to be in a deep and inclusive communion with us. We are called to join where God is working in our world and discern God’s will in our lives and the community.

Experiencing this divine covenant and discerning God’s acts, we encourage one another in times of struggle. We recognize we are a community of hope and love, grounded in a strong faith (trust) to live in the light of the reign of God.

On this Good Friday, we celebrate that God has a new covenant with us in Jesus Christ. Let us confess our faith; love one another; practice good deeds; and meet together. Our call is “to embody and live the concerns and passion of Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:9d). What a call and blessing!

 

Central Ideas

  1. God is always in a sacred covenant relationship with us through Jesus Christ, even during times of challenge, disruption, darkness, and doubt.
  2. Spiritual formation is important as it invites us into God’s presence.
  3. We are called to be people of faith, hope, and love who encourage one another.

 

Questions for the Speaker

  1. When have you experienced God during dark and challenging times of doubt?
  2. Where is God moving in your daily activities and society?
  3. How have you experienced faith, hope, and love from others? Share examples.
  4. Why do you confess Jesus Christ and share your faith, hope, and love?

 


 

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Year C—Letters

Good Friday

 

Hebrews 10:16–25

 

Gathering

Welcome

Good Friday is a somber gathering as we observe the death of Jesus on the cross. All candle flames are extinguished as we symbolically wait in darkness. Easter Sunday is coming, but has not yet arrived.

 

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Beaten and broken God, across the world, pain and oppression like what you experienced on the first Good Friday still exist. It is because of this that we continue to pray for peace. Peace that releases people from unbearable hurt, peace that feeds the hungry, peace that empowers the overwhelmed. May your peace be delivered to those places as an ember of faith, a small but hopeful beacon of light that shines in the darkness. Tear back the curtains so that all may see peace anew. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Prayer of Compassion

Read the following aloud:

In many religious traditions, we are taught the importance of naming our loss and our sorrows. When we suppress our sorrow, it can intensify and literally make our bodies ill.

In the Christian tradition, Good Friday, represents the day that Jesus died on the cross. His body literally was broken and bleeding. On the cross Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” When we recognize and name Jesus’s suffering, we are connecting not only to his suffering, but ours as well as others.

How many times have we cried in a similar way? It is the suffering that makes the resurrection such an incredible story. Life and death, peace and suffering are part of the paradox of life. The name Good Friday comes from this concept. Joy is so sweet because of the bitter we have tasted in the suffering.

When we have our hearts broken open, and we can name our pain, we develop compassion for others who suffer. Through compassion we can appreciate the new life that emerges as resurrection overcomes death.

Read the following prayer and ask the group to repeat the first four words of each line after you read it.

God, open our eyes that we may witness and see the suffering of those around us.
God, open our eyes. (Pause.)

God, open our ears that we may hear the stories of those oppressed among us.
God, open our ears. (Pause.)

God, open our hearts that we may be filled with compassion and love for all.
God, open our hearts. (Pause.)

Amen.

Invite participants to share how God is opening them up to see, hear, and love.

A Community of Christ Mission Initiative is Abolish Poverty, End Needless Suffering. Encourage participants to reflect throughout on why it is important to see, hear and name suffering.

 

Sharing Around the Table

Hebrews 10:16–25 NRSVue

“This is the covenant that I will make with them
   after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
   and I will write them on their minds,”

and he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

A Call to Persevere

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews is a sermon written to a community in crisis. Authored by an unknown preacher during second-generation Christianity or late in the first century, this pastoral conversation centers on the meaning of Christ. Although the author is unidentified, he likely was a Jewish Christian and perhaps part of the Pauline circle—but not Paul. The group, likely Jewish converts or perhaps a Jewish and Gentile mixture, struggled with disillusionment and persecution. Members were in doubt and in danger of losing their Christian identity. It was a challenging and dark time for them.

This letter uses a theologically laden interpretation of scripture to reassure the listeners of the new covenant embodied in Christ and urge them to remain committed. Today’s passage echoes this message, portrays hope, and fits a Good Friday message well. Verses 16–18 quote Jeremiah 31:33–34 with a final emphasis on forgiveness of sins. The preacher reassures the congregation of this new covenant, which showers God’s grace on them. This sacred relationship becomes God-centered and relational with the Divine and others.

Using the words “mind” and “heart,” the author refers to the center of being—where God, through Jesus Christ, is encountered. Then, after using Jeremiah’s message of the covenant, the writer transitions to a threefold urging of faith, hope, and love:

1.     Faith: “...let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith...” (v. 22).

2.     Hope: “let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering...” (v. 23).

3.      Love: “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds” (v. 24).

Then, in conclusion, the author focuses on “encouraging one another” through the challenging times (v. 25).

On this Good Friday, we, like these early Christians, live in momentous, disruptive, and alarming times. Many in our society question or misuse the meaning of Christ. We struggle to remain united and hopeful in our commitment to peace. We waver in our commitment as disciples. As we commemorate this day, we recognize these doubts and misgivings. We recognize Jesus was crucified brutally. We lament our doubt, our grief, our sorrow, and we reflect on the meaning of Christ in our lives.

This passage is a call to perseverance. It reminds us of the vigor and strength that comes with a sacred covenant relationship with God through Christ. We yearn to be in a relationship with the Divine. We are called to allow God to be at the center of our being. God wishes to be in a deep and inclusive communion with us. We are called to join where God is working in our world and discern God’s will in our lives and the community’s life.

Experiencing this divine covenant and discerning God’s acts, we encourage one another in times of struggle. On this Good Friday let us confess our faith, love one another, practice good deeds, and meet together. Our call from Doctrine and Covenants 164:9d is to “embody and live the concerns and passion of Christ.”

 

Questions

1.     What disruptive and alarming events and situations in our times do you feel most heavily? What do you mourn in these times?

2.     How might God be showing up in your life—in these heavy moments and others?

3.     How might we support one another in faith, hope, and love? How have you experienced faith, hope, and love from others in this community and elsewhere? Share your stories.

 

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

 

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God of all that is, we give our financial resources, knowing that even in times of doubt and despair that hope is found in your grace. May our offerings this day bring the light of hope into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 463, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”

 

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Addition Depending on Group

·       Thoughts for Children

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts for Children

Materials:

·       small table

·       bright cloth

·       flowers in a vase

·       a heart or other symbol

·       a Bible

Cover the table with the cloth, and place all the objects on the table.

Say: Look at the pretty table. It looks so nice. It is all set to provide a lovely place to look during our time together. What do the items on the table mean to you? (Allow time for the children to respond.)

Today is Good Friday. What does “good” mean? (Allow time for responses.)

Good Friday is the day we remember that Jesus died on a cross. This doesn’t sound good, but it is good in the sense that we know this is not the end of the story of Jesus. We know that on Sunday we will celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead, and he lives again in our hearts.

The period between now and Sunday is a time we wait for that to happen. While we wait, we take away all the pretty things that we look at during our gatherings, like the things on the table.

Ask the children to help you remove the objects and the cloth from the table.

Now the table is bare and will stay this way until Easter morning. When we look at the bare table, we remember that we are waiting for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.

Close with a short prayer:

Thank you God, for this time of waiting. We remember Jesus and await the joy and hope of Easter morning. Amen.

Thank the children for participating.


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