Claybanks United Methodist Church
Friday April 7, 2023 – 2:00 p.m.
*Indicates to stand as you are able
Centering Words
Call to Worship
Leader: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
All: We were the hollow echo of hosannas once spoken in love.
Leader: Were you in the garden when the disciples fell asleep?
All: We were the betrayal in Judas’s kiss.
Leader: Were you in the courtyard when the cock crowed?
All: We were the denial on Peter’s lips.
Leader: Were you among the scoffers when Jesus was flogged?
All: We were the whip in the soldier’s hand.
Leader: Were you in Pilate’s chamber when he washed his hands of Jesus’ fate?
All: We were the hated of the crowd, and the indifference in Pilate’s heart.
Leader: Were you with the powers of this world when the soldiers dressed Jesus as king?
All: We were the mockery in the crown of thorns.
Leader: Were you among the spectators at Golgotha?
All: We were the nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and feet.
Leader: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
All: We were the silence when no bird sang.
*Opening Song
“Were You There” (vs 1-3).………..UMH 288
*Opening Prayer
First Reading
Luke 22:39-53 (The first candle is extinguished)
Second Reading
John 18:12-14 (The second candle is extinguished)
Song
“Go to Dark Gethsemane” (vs 1-2)…………UMH 290
Third Reading
Luke 22:54b-62 (The third candle is extinguished)
Litany
Leader: There is no warmth in the fire.
All: Our blood runs as cold as the night.
Leader: The one we love is in peril.
All: Our courage blows away like the wind.
Leader: Strangers recognize our fellowship in Jesus.
All: Our denial pierces the soul like the cock’s crow pierces the dawn.
Leader: There is no warmth in the fire.
All: Our tears flow as cold as the night.
Fourth Reading – John 18:19-23 (The fourth candle is extinguished)
Fifth Reading – Matthew 27:1-2 (The fifth candle is extinguished)
Prayer
Sixth Reading
Matthew 27:3-10 (The sixth candle is extinguished)
Litany
Leader: Jesus stands condemned.
All: Wait! Stop the madness.
Leader: It is too late.
All: We will repent of our sin.
Leader: You have been well paid.
All: We don’t want blood money.
Leader: It is yours all the same.
All: Please, stop this madness.
Leader: It is too late.
Seventh Reading
John 18:33-38 (The seventh candle is extinguished)
Song
“What Wondrous Love Is This”…….…..UMH 292
Eighth Reading
Matthew 27:15-24 (The eighth candle is extinguished)
Prayer
Ninth Reading
Matthew 27:26-31 (The ninth candle is extinguished)
Song
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”……….…UMH 286
Tenth Reading
Matthew 27:32-37; John 19:20b-21 (The tenth candle is extinguished)
Reading – Three Trees
Eleventh Reading
Luke 23:35, 39-43 (The eleventh candle is extinguished)
Special Music
Litany
Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our sins.
Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our desertions and our betrayals.
Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our accusations and our scorn.
Leader: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our lives.
Twelfth Reading
Mark 15:33-34 (The twelfth candle is extinguished)
Thirteenth Reading
Mark 15:35-36 (The thirteenth candle is extinguished)
Fourteenth Reading
Matthew 27:50-51
Our Funeral Church Bell is rung once (then the fourteenth candle is extinguished)
Draping of the Cross (The Christ candle is extinguished)
*Please depart the Sanctuary in silence until reaching Fellowship Hall*
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