Good Friday 2015

*** Black stools for readers?

*** Wireless mics on boom stands for readers?

*** Backlight for stage?

*** Start ushering people into the service at 7

*** Long ago, before Jesus stood in front of the crowds who called for his crucifixion, he gathered with his disciples - his closest friends - the ones who would carry on his mission in the world, as the gathered church - and ate dinner with them. In the same way, we began with a meal this evening to share in community and friendship with one another and continue the mission of Christ that he began some 2000 years ago. As you gather inside the sanctuary, please enter in silence and pray for the Spirit to soften your heart so that you may remember the events that followed the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples and the hours leading up to his death.

*** Cello plays as people enter into the sanctuary - 7-7:15

*** Lights dimmed low

*** Christ candle lit

*** Sconce candles lit

*** Projector shutter off

*** Jake - Green

*** Lucas - Blue

*** Ally - Purple

*** Catherine - Red

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Tonight, we remember the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and the ultimate suffering of Christ. Some 2000 years ago, our God, the creator of ALL things, broke into our world, assumed the position of a servant, and told us of how people like you and me could find redemption for our weary hearts, hope for our lost souls, salvation from our corrupt sin, and restoration to our Heavenly Father. Tonight, all of this comes to bear, as we remember the final hours of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Here, I want to invite you into those finals hours through hearing the living history unfold as depicted in the Gospels. As you listen, imagine your place in this history. Hear the choice of Christ for you… Hear the suffering of Christ for you… Hear the death of Christ for you… As the writer of Hebrew states in chapter 2, verses 9 and 10:

“We see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, prepare our hearts to remember your Son - his sacrifice for every one of us - his suffering for every one of us - and his death for every one of us. Lord, in your mercy, you chose to offer your son as a ransom for our captive life. When we deserved death, you took it upon yourself. When we deserved punishment, you extended us grace. Lord, we can never know the full extent of your humility, nor can we understand its cost. But we can give our lives to you as an expression of our worship and gratitude. Lord, tonight, draw us near to you. May we find peace in your suffering. May we know love in your death. Lord, bring us close to you. In your holy name, Amen.

As you listen to the reading, still your mind, set aside those things that preoccupy you, soften your heart, and incline your ear.

When you hear me ask, “Who was this done for?” Answer by saying, “This was done for me.”

Let us hear the final hours of the life of Christ…

BEGINNING OF NARRATIVE

[Narrative: section headers are not to be read]

Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

[the following section is a long prayer that Jesus prayed. It was not prayed at this point in the narrative but was placed here to give the congregation a chance to hear Jesus pray for them.]

After this, Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that I might glorify you. For you granted me authority over all people that I might give eternal life to all those you have given me. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly made holy.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

[This is the end of Jesus’ prayer]

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Peter, James, John. Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for? This was done for me.

SUFFERING OF CHRIST - PAIN AND IDENTIFICATION

Jesus Arrested

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

This is your short hour. This is that mad and ungovernable power which brings you armed to take an unarmed man which brings the fierce against the gentle criminals against an innocent man a traitor against his lord mortals against God.

Peter Disowns Jesus

They led Jesus away and took him into the house of the high priest.

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

ALLY Peter followed at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

CATHERINE But he denied it.

JAKE "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

CATHERINE A little later someone else saw him and said,

LUCAS "You also are one of them."

CATHERINE He denied it again, with an oath:

JAKE "I don't know the man!"

CATHERINE After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said,

ALLY "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

CATHERINE Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them,

JAKE "I don't know the man!"

CATHERINE Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Before the Sanhedrin

ALLY Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

CATHERINE Finally two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

ALLY Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus,

LUCAS "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"

ALLY But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him,

LUCAS "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Anointed One the Son of God."

JAKE "Yes, it is as you say, But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

ALLY Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,

LUCAS "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"

CATHERINE "He is worthy of death," they answered.

ALLY Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said,

CATHERINE "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

In return for my friendship, they denounce me, Though all I have done is pray for them, They pay me back evil for kindness and hatred for friendship. though princes put me on trial, I will meditate on your word.

Jesus Before Pilate

ALLY Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. Pilate came out to them and asked,

LUCAS "What charges are you bringing against this man?”

CATHERINE "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

LUCAS Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

CATHERINE But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected.

ALLY Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him,

LUCAS "Are you the king of the Jews?"

JAKE "Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?"

LUCAS "Am I a Jew? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

JAKE "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

LUCAS “You are a king, then!”

JAKE "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

LUCAS "What is truth?" With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him.”

ALLY Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them,

LUCAS "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

ALLY For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message:

CATHERINE "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

ALLY But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

LUCAS "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

ALLY "Barabbas," they answered.

LUCAS "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?"

CATHERINE They all answered, "Crucify him!"

LUCAS "Why? What crime has he committed?"

CATHERINE But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

ALLY When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.

LUCAS "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility!"

CATHERINE All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

ALLY Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

Please read this passage from Isaiah with me (on screen)

Isaiah 53:3-5 (New Living Translation) 3 He was despised and rejected—       a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.    We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.       He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;       it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down.    And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,       a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,       crushed for our sins.    He was beaten so we could be whole.       He was whipped so we could be healed.

I have asked Dan to sing a simple song, a prayer for deliverance. Listen to the words and take a moment to reflect.

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us

(no lyrics on screen)

PRAYER FOR GLOBAL PAIN AND INJUSTICE

Would You Pray with Me?

Lord, your suffering on the cross identifies you with all of those who suffer. As we remember the suffering of Christ, our hearts cry out to all of those in our life and around the world who suffer. Hear our cries, Lord, and may you hear our heart and know the pain that we suffer because you, too, suffered.

Our hearts cry out for the church, for all Christians everywhere who face rejection, humiliation, intimidation, and death.

(all pause for silent prayer)

God of Grace, may your Spirit give strength to all of your people as they work and witness in your world. Unite us in your truth and love, and help us to show your love to others. We especially pray:

- For the Christians who face persecution by evil ISIS, for those who were beheaded, and for those who fled their homes into refugee camps.

- For the church in America to unite as one holy church.

- For the church in Marin to remain strong, vibrant, bold, and confident

For our church, Hillside Church, to grow in depth and community so that others may know in the hope and truth of your salvation and grace. For IJM to continue fighting for justice on behalf of those who cannot stand up for themselves For the workers at CASA and Door of Faith who care for orphans For the mothers who live at the Gilead House For Christians fighting for justice here and abroad, spreading the truth of Christ…

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our hearts cry out for all people and places enduring the hardship of war and famine.

(all pause for silent prayer)

God our Creator and Provider, may you bring peace and provide for those who suffer. We especially we pray:

- For our national leaders to govern from a place of humility and strength, not power and control.

For the Christians murdered in the Kenyan University by Al Shabab For the ongoing war in Afghanistan For the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and other parts of Africa For civil wars in Syria and Iraq For peace between Israel and Palestine For Somalia and Darfur For the ongoing Mexican drug war For the families of those who fight For the civilians who fear for their safety For the worst ever recorded in human history in Sudan

Lord, in your mercy, here our prayer.

Our hearts cry out for our community and for all who live and work in this area.

(all pause for silent prayer)

Lord our Sustainer, we pray for our families and friends. May we be able to love one another as you first loved us. We especially pray:

- For families in our community who feel lost and alone.

- For marriages on the cusp of divorce

- For kids who feel pressured or bullied

- For the schools to protect and educate our children

- For the prisoners at San Quentin whom we can see just outside our window

- For the families of their crimes

- For the drought in our state

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our hearts cry out for those in need, sick, in the hospital, or shut at home with ailments.

(all pause for silent prayer)

Compassionate God, give your strength to those who need healing. May your word to them bring peace in the face of fear and dejection. We especially pray:

- For those who mourn a loss

- For those in the hospital seeking treatments

- For those who are terminally ill

- For those who suffer ailments

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all of these things and more, we cry out to you, remembering that you know our suffering because you suffered for us. In your name, Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New Living Translation)

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

DEATH OF CHRIST - CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.

{{{ALL}}} “Hail, king of the Jews!"

They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

The Crucifixion

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they crucified him.

[moment of silence]

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

O Cross of Christ, Immortal tree

On which our savior died

The world is sheltered by your arms

That bore the crucified.

From bitter death and barren wood

The tree of life is made;

Its branches bear unfailing fruit

And leaves that never fade.

O faithful cross you stand unmoved

While ages run their course

Foundation of the universe,

Creation’s binding force.

Song: Here is Love

(no lyrics on screen)

They offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

[all electric lights off - only candle and #4 on very low remain]

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

"Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani?”

—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice “It is finished.” He gave up his spirit.

CALL AND RESPONSE:

[Christ candle is blown out]

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Let us respond to the death of Christ by confessing our sin to the one who died.

Corporate confession (on screen)

Almighty God, we acknowledge and confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed; we have not loved you with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. Deepen within us our sorrow for the wrong we have done, and the good we have left undone. Lord, you are full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and rich in mercy; there is always forgiveness with you! Restore to us the joy of your salvation; bind up that which is broken, give light to our minds, strength to our wills, and rest to our souls. Speak to each of us, and let your Spirit abide with us until it has completed in us your holy will. Amen.

Words of Absolution

Hear the word of God to all who turn to Him:

If we claim we have no sin we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[Lights back up]

We are going to end this service by sharing in communion, the reminder of Christ’s body and blood shed for us.

We read in Scripture, “On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

As Dan sings a song for us, please may make your way to the cross for communion. Take a piece of bread and dip it into the cup. You may come as you feel led.

Song - He Loves Us

Dan sings - no lyrics

Prayer and Scripture (Dan continues to pick guitar)

Heavenly Father, as we partook in communion, we ate and drank of real love. This bread and juice represents something far more than just a ritual, it represents the promise of real life! We give you thanks for providing us with salvation and redemption through your son. Though we may not fully comprehend why you left heaven to die on an old, rugged cross, we give you our thanks praise for taking our place. Lord, may we always remember why you died - for us, for the world. In your name, Amen.

Romans 5:18

18 So then, as through one sin there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

Colossians 1:15-22

19 For God in all his fullness

was pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through him God reconciled

everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth

by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Let’s sing together…

Song - He Loves Us (Lyrics on Screen)

May you leave here, mourning the Savior, for he took our place, though we did not deserve it. And may you know that a sacrifice of that kind means only one thing: love. You are loved by God and made right in his eyes because of what happened on that Good Friday long ago.

Go in peace and silence.