Bulletin – Friday, April 7, 2023 – Good Friday

Friday, April 7, 2023
Good Friday

Approach

Lenten Candles

Never doubt the meaning of Lent. It happened a long time ago, but it happened. Jesus walked on this earth. He practiced a ministry of radical inclusivity, drawing to himself all the despised and rejected members of society. He lived what he taught: a life of justice and love, of profound compassion of all people. He lived a life acceptable to you, O God. His death terrifies us, because it reveals how committed the world is to its own way, and the price the world exacts from those whose commitment is to you.

As we extinguish this light, we acknowledge the darkness, the burdens carried, and pain of all the children in the world who suffer in body, in mind, or in spirit.

What we contemplate this day is beyond words, beyond understanding. May the Holy Spirit intercede for us and give voice to what, for us, is inexpressible. Amen.

Opening Words

O Holy God, the hosannas have died away, the palm branches have turned brittle. Now, today, there is only this—each of us, all of us, sitting in the darkness, the hymns of lament in the air, the mumblings of our own feeble confession, on tis Friday which we tremble to call good.

What is good about Good Friday? What is good about the innocent one nailed to a cross? What is good about the darkness of war that persists today? What is good about our devastation of the planet?…About people living in poverty?…About the fog of addiction, depression, disease and despair? What is good about the crushing weight of hunger, racism, scapegoating, apathy?

No, there is nothing good and desirable in there things. Yet you, O God, are Good.

When suffering reigns, yours is the first heart to break. When despair lurks about, we remember that you were the first, peering into the abyss and crying out, incredibly: “Father, forgive them.”

When we feel forsaken, we remember that in your last moments, you cared for your mother and your beloved disciple, binding them to one another as a new family.

When we feel overcome by guilt, we remember that you spoke grace to a thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Your love for us is just that boundless, and ever-present, and Good. Thank you. What else can we say here, in the dimness, in the darkness, but thank you.

Hymn – “I Come to the Cross”

I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace.
I come to the cross where You died in my place.
Out of my weakness and into Your strength,
Humbly, I come to the cross.

Your arms are open, You call me by name.
You welcome this child that was lost.
You paid the price for my guilt and my shame.
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come,
Jesus, I come to the cross.

Scripture Reading:           Luke 22:39, 23:56

³⁹ He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” ⁴¹ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[⁴³ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. ⁴⁴ In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] ⁴⁵ When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” ⁴⁹ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? ⁵³ When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”

Reflection on the Burden of Anger
Why does it seem as if the first response is always anger?
Here we have those who followed Jesus – Jesus, who spoke of love, compassion, care, and peace – resorting to anger and violence in the face of opposition.
It seems as if the frustration that they felt, the helplessness that they felt, was immediately expressed in anger and violence.
How many people in our world seem to react in the same way?
It seems as if so many people immediately default to a position of anger and violence.
Simple conversations lead to anger.
Simple misunderstandings lead to anger.
Simple disagreements lead to anger.
There seems to be no middle ground anymore, just anger and violence in the face of dissention. Sure, in that garden they were coming to arrest Jesus, but did the disciples know that?
Did the disciples know what all this would lead to?
I wonder about that because, in reality, it seems as if they carried the burden of anger and violence with them as they journeyed with Jesus.
It can be difficult, when your entire world seems to be built on anger and violence, to escape that reality and live in a new way; but it is something that we must try to do because, we too, live in a world where so many carry the burden of anger and violence with them throughout their lives. The burdens of anger and violence are burdens that keep us from truly connecting to those around us and keep us from God.
How do we let go of this burden? How do we lay this burden down?

Response – “God Will Embrace”

God will embrace your pain and weeping,
Your helpless anger and distress.
If you are in God’s care and keeping,
In sorrow will God love you less?
For Christ, who took for you a cross,
Will bring you safe through every loss.

Peter Denies Jesus

⁵⁴ Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵ When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶ Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” ⁵⁷ But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” ⁵⁸ A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” ⁵⁹ Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” ⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” ⁶² And he went out and wept bitterly.

Reflection on the Burden of Denial
Denial! It is not my problem. I don’t have anything to do with that! It was not my fault!
Peter was so afraid of the consequences that it just became easier to deny that he knew Jesus, but at what cost?
How many times in our world do people live in a state of denial?
So often many seem to live their lives never admitting their own shortcomings, admitting to themselves, or others, when they have failed, always blaming someone, or something else, when things don’t go as planned.
It is like we don’t ever want to admit that we can’t do something.
It almost seems easier for us to shift the focus off of ourselves and use denial, and in doing so to take the spotlight off of ourselves and place it onto another.
Then there is the other side of the coin, isn’t there?
How many times in our lives have we, ourselves, been denied?
How many times have we been the ones who have been denied the opportunity to do something because of who we were?
The burden of denial, living without being honest about who and what we are in this world. Living in a way where we are no longer honest with ourselves because we are afraid of the consequences, afraid of what others might think of us, afraid to truly be ourselves.
The burden of denial is a burden that prevents us from truly connecting with those around us and with God.
How do we let go of this burden? How do we lay this burden down?

Response – “When We are Tempted to Deny Your Son”

When we tempted to deny your Son,
Because we fear the anger of the world,
And we few who bear the insults hurled,
Your will, O God, be done.

The Mocking and Beating of Jesus

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; ⁶⁴ they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” ⁶⁵ They kept heaping many other insults on him.

Jesus before the Council

⁶⁶ When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. ⁶⁷ They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; ⁶⁸ and if I question you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ⁷⁰ All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹ Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

¹ Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. ² They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” ³ Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” ⁴ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” ⁵ But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”

Jesus before Herod

⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷ And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. ⁹ He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. ¹² That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

 Jesus Sentenced to Death

¹³ Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”

¹⁸ Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” ¹⁹ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) ²⁰ Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; ²¹ but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” ²² A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” ²³ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. ²⁵ He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

Reflection on the Burden of Power
The expectation of power is based on the need to hold fast to the power that one already has for fear that it might be taken away.
It is always about maintaining the status quo.
Pilate was so tied to the power that he held, that he could see no other way forward, except to give into the demands of those around him.
It didn’t matter if this person in front of him was innocent or not, it was more important to not upset the status quo.
So, Pilate did the only thing that he thought he could do, he maintained the status quo and in doing this he maintained his power.
I think in some ways this is the most insidious of the burdens that we have faced.
I believe that this expectation found in power is prevalent in our world today, but most of us don’t even realize that it exists.
It is lived out when we don’t recognize the privilege and power that we possess in our own lives. It is lived out when we are afraid of others, and the changes that might be required, to deal with many of the problems plaguing our society.
It is lived out any time we compromise to keep the status quo because we don’t want, or are afraid of, change.
We live in a world where so many cling to the power they have and in doing so they refuse to allow others to truly live.
Our world oftentimes favours those who have power and they work to keep that power by keeping the status quo, telling others that things are working well just the way they are, we don’t need change.
The expectations of power will cause us to do things, even if we don’t think that it is the best course of action, because we need to preserve our power and the power that others possess. Pilate felt the burden that comes with power and privilege, and so he didn’t follow what he truly believed because it was more important to preserve that status quo.
How often have we allowed the burden of power to impact and influence our lives, holding onto a system or status quo that makes others live lives of poverty, marginalization, and need?
The burden of power is a burden that prevents us from making true connection with all persons and with God.

How do we let go of this burden? How do we lay this burden down?

Response – “When We are Tempted”

When we are tempted to barter our souls,
Trading the truth for the power to control,
Teach us to worship and praise only you,
Seeking your will in the work that we do.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²⁶ As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. ²⁸ But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ ³¹ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

³² Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 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. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

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 on the Burden of Grief
To grieve is to lament the loss of something; what might have been, what will never be.
It is place that many of us know all too well.
Yet we hear today of Mary, to be Mary, and stand by the foot of that cross and bear witness to all that has taken place.
It is a place of deep pain, anguish, and grief.
It is to find oneself in a place of helplessness as there is nothing that can be done to change what has happened.
We live in a world that is full of so much pain and suffering and because of that we live in a world where there is so much grief.
We live in a world where grief has overwhelmed so many and seems to have taken over their lives.
We live in a world where so many find themselves stuck in the midst of grief and see no way forward.
Often times we feel guilty if we laugh in the midst of grief or find joy in the midst of grief.
We think that to grieve we must be solemn and somber all of the time.
In many ways in the midst of such grief we forget to live, or feel as if we are not supposed to live. Grief is a burden that so many carry in their lives.
Many of us carry the grief of loss, the grief of broken relationships, the grief of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams.
While it is true that grief is something that each one of us carries throughout our lives, it is not something that should keep us from living.
How often have we allowed our grief to stop us from truly living?
So many people struggle with a grief that isolates them from the world around them.
Mary was grieving, and in the midst of that grief Jesus, even in the midst of his own pain and suffering, made sure that Mary was not alone and isolated.
How often has our grief stopped us from engaging with others?
There are many out there who carry the burden of grief and this burden stops them from connecting those around them and to God.
How do we let go of this burden? How do we lay this burden down?

Response – “The Darkest Mystery is Here”

That darkest mystery is here,
Sorrow and pity, anger, fear;
Conquer once more, dear Lord, death’s sting;
Faith, trust, and consolation bring.

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him 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 on the Burden of Regret
In some ways this burden, regret, is the burden that connects all of the other ones.
The criminal who is next to Jesus asks for forgiveness and in doing so regrets their actions, but I wonder if we might say the same about most of those in this story today.
First, we have the disciple who gives into the violence of society only to regret their actions later and, therefore, carries the burden of regret.
We hear of Peter, who denies Jesus only to live with the burden of regret when that rooster crows.
We have Pilate, who is forced to live within a system that works to preserve power, who has no choice but to give into the demands of others, even if he regrets his actions.
Finally, there is Mary.
We see a woman who might have been questioning all of the decisions that she made throughout her life, possibly living with regret that her life has come to this place.
Regret, the regret of decisions not made, of roads not explored, of chances not taken.
The regret of decisions that we had made only to have them end up not as planned, or desired. The regret that comes from relationships not pursued or ended too quickly.
To live with regret is to live in the past, wishing for something else, something more, or something different.
It is a burden that so many carry in their lives today.
It is a burden with which people get stuck, they stop moving forward and they live in the limbo regretting what they missed, or what has been lost.
Regret is a burden that can paralyze one and blind them to the reality of today.
The burden of regret which causes us to live in a past that does not exist and in doing so we don’t connect to the world around us or to God.
How do we let go of this burden? How do we lay this burden down?

Response – “May Pain Draw Forth Compassion”

May pain draw forth compassion,
Let wisdom rise from loss.
O take my hearts and fashion
The image of your cross.
Then may I know your healing
Through healing that I share,
Your grace and love revealing
Your tenderness and care.

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. ⁴⁷ When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” ⁴⁸ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. ⁴⁹ But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

⁵⁰ Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, ⁵¹ had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. ⁵² This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. ⁵⁴ It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. ⁵⁵ The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. ⁵⁶ Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Prayer

Now we know: all is grace all is gift. You give us all good things: life and love, daily bread and water that quenches our thirst; friends and faith. Most of all, in your Son, Jesus, you meet us with a love that will never let us go; you utter words of mercy and forgiveness that override the hurts, and heal our brokenness; you offer new beginnings where we had expected only dead ends. We give you thanks and praise for the mystery of your suffering love that gives us life. We give you thanks and praise that you know our weakness and hear our prayers, you know the burdens we carry. We give you thanks and praise that all our dying and living is held in your good keeping. Now we know: all is grace all is gift. We give you thanks and praise.

Anthem – “Burdens are Lifted at Calvary”

Days are willed with sorrow and care, hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

Cast your care on Jesus today, leave your worry and fear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.

Troubled soul, the Saviour can see every heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Jesus is very near.
Jesus is very near,
He’s very near.