Order of Service – Good Friday 2024

The Order of Service follows below.

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Brougham Place Uniting Church
Kardlayirdi Karnungga
A Light on the Hill

29 March 2024. 9.00 am
Good Friday

A Service of Stones and Shadows

We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional carers of the land on which our church is built.

Prelude

Psalm

Psalm 36:5-9

Introit

God so Loved the World

Welcome

We have come to the end of the season of Lent. A time set aside to follow Jesus’ journey to the cross. A time when we have reflected more intentionally on our faith and our discipleship. We have been reminded of the call to follow Jesus. We have also been reminded that following Jesus can be challenging:
following Jesus can be comforting and confronting;
following Jesus can make us sure and uncertain;
following Jesus can mean letting go and embracing;
following Jesus can seem foolish and wise;
following Jesus demands our all, when we have nothing to bring.
In following Jesus we may lose our lives, in order to find the fullness of life eternal.

The end of the season of Lent leads us into a time of darkness. However, we know from our experiences of life that new growth comes from soil that lies dormant, and light shines brightly when the darkness is greatest. We know that God is the source of all life, and because of God’s light, we too can find light.

This morning we will follow Jesus through the events of his final week, in a series of readings, songs and prayers.

These events are not easy. They are dark, ugly, cruel, painful, confronting. But they encourage us to be honest and to open ourselves to seeking the Spirit of God as the one who brings light to our dark times, and the promise of new growth and new possibilities. In doing so, we join with generations of Jesus’ followers, walking the way of love, and confessing our faith in, and our dependence upon, God.

Acknowledgment of Country

Instructions

We sing: In God Alone

Repeat until the Leader sings Amen. Please remain seated as we sing.

In God alone my soul can find rest and peace,
in God my peace and joy.
Only in God my soul can find its rest,
find its rest and peace.

The Shadow of Betrayal

Mark 14:10-13, 16-26

[Time of silent reflection]

We sing: Eat this Bread

Eat this bread, drink this cup
come to him and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup
trust in him and you will not thirst.

The Shadow of Anguish

Matthew 26:36–46

[Time of silent reflection]

We sing: Stay with Me

Stay with me, remain here with me;
watch and pray, watch and pray.

The Shadow of Denial

Matthew 26:69-75

[Time of silent reflection]

We sing: O Lord Hear My Prayer

O Lord hear my pray’r, O Lord hear my pray’r:
when I call answer me. O Lord hear my pray’r,
O Lord hear my pray’r. Come and listen to me.

The Shadow of Injustice

Matthew 27:11-14, 20-26

[Time of silent reflection]

We sing: Jesus Remember Me

Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.

The Shadow of Humiliation

Matthew 27: 27-44

[Time of silent reflection]

Anthem

Were you there?

The Shadow of Abandonment

Psalm 22 (selected verses)

[Time of silent reflection]

We sing: In Manus Tuas Pater

In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum.
Redemisti me Domine, Deus veritatis.

(Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.)

The Shadow of Death

Luke 23:44-46

[Time of silent reflection]

Matthew 27: 57-60

Sending Out

John 1:1-5

We hope for the dawning of a new day. We hope for God to bring newness out of endings. But for today, enough. We leave this place. There is nothing more to see. Jesus has been laid in the darkness of the tomb.

As you leave, in silence, you are invited to leave your stone at the foot of the cross. Lay before Christ your burdens of care and sorrow, and find there mercy and love.

This is an in-between time. A time of waiting. But it is also a time of hope. Because we know… that after the night comes a new day,
after sin comes forgiveness,
after defeat comes another chance,
after struggles comes peace,
after death comes resurrection,
and the hope of eternal life
The light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness will never put it out.

Drum roll – symbolising the closing of the tomb.

As you leave, in silence, you are invited to leave your stone at the foot of the cross.

This service is adapted from the Good Friday 2023 Service, Uniting Church SA Synod