Notes on the Notes – April 15, 2022 – Good Friday

Good Friday

“We Remember”

The opening anthem by Joal Raney (2011) draws us into the Good Friday story by retelling some of the events of Jesus’ ministry and leading us to the phrase “we remember Calvary.”  It incorporates the traditional hymn “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”  by Isaac Watts, which was written in 1707.

“As we gather here, we remember how you turned the water into wine;
How you fed the hungry crowd with five loaves of bread,
How you healed the sick and the blind.
As we gather here, we remember how you gave your life on the tree.
We remember, Lord, you sacrifice, we remember Calvary.

As we gather here, we remember how you freely gave to those in need,
How you shared your Father’s love, his undying care,
With each word, each thought, every deed.
As we gather here, we remember how you gave your life on the tree.
We remember, Lord, your sacrifice, we remember Calvary.

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain, I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

We remember, Lord, your sacrifice,
We remember Calvary.”

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”  (VU #135)

“Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand:
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land,
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noon-tide heat and the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus my eyes at times can see
The very dying form of one who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears, two wonders I confess,
The wonder of his glorious love, and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, your shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face,
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all, the cross.”

We join our hearts together in worship with this familiar hymn by Elizabeth Clephane (1868).  In the hymn, Elizabeth alludes to a passage in Isaiah that speaks of “the shade of a great rock in a weary land” (Isaiah 32:1-2).  Perhaps one reason that this hymn has become so well-loved is that we know what it means to live in a weary land.  We feel the need of a mighty rock to shelter us from the storms of life.  Jesus’ cross is that resting place.  Jesus’ cross is our home within the wilderness, our rest upon the way.

“Gentle Jesus, Mighty Spirit”

“Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joys inherit
If we bear the cross with you.
If we bear the cross with you.”

We will be using this verse from the hymn, “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,”  written by Marty Haugen (1984) as our sung response to our Good Friday reflections.

“Kyrie Eleison” 

“Kyrie eleison,
Kyrie eleison,
Kyrie eleison.”

This setting of the Kyrie is from the Orthodox Liturgy.  The words “Kyrie eleison” are Greek for the phrase “Lord, have mercy.”

“Where Joy and Sorrow Meet”

“There’s a place of quiet stillness ‘tween the light and shadows’ reach,
Where the hurting and the hopeless seek everlasting peace.
Words of men and songs of angels whisper comfort bittersweet,
Mingling grief and life eternal where joy and sorrow meet.

There is a place where hope remains in crowns of thorns and crimson stains,
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet:
Where joy and sorrow meet.

There’s a place the lost surrender and the weary will retreat,
Full of grace and mercy tender in times of unbelief.
For the wounded, there is healing, strength is given to the weak;
Broken hearts find love redeeming:
Where joy and sorrow meet.

There is a place where hope remains in crowns of thorns and crimson stains,
And tears that fall on Jesus’ feet:
Where joy and sorrow meet.”

As we close our Good Friday service, we are left with the hope of Easter Sunday.  This song is an abbreviated version of the anthem by David James White (2005).