Good (God's) Friday

Based on Lectionary Year C

Candle Lighting: No candles are lite today. Instead, place a black cloth over all the unlit candles, including the Christ candle.

Question: Why do we not light even the Christ candle this day?

Response: We light no candles today, not even the Christ candle, because on this day Jesus was crucified and died and was buried.

Scripture: John 18 - 19

Prayer:

Cold and fear,
betrayal and rejection,
pain and death.
And still You go peaceably,
still You testify to the truth,
still You bring others together to care for one another,
ensuring Your mother Mary's keeping
while hanging on a cross.
For us,
You finish what must be finished.
You accomplish what must be accomplished.
In awe and wonder,
may we kneel here
at the coronation and enthronement
of our servant King
and bring our lavish gifts of praise,
a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes,
for we have come in darkness
and have seen a great light,
full of grace and truth.
From his fullness
we have all received,
grace upon grace. Amen.

Singing: Choose an appropriate hymn to sing together, such as:
What Wondrous Love Is This, American folk hymn ca. 1811

Proclamation:

For this I was born, and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth
listens to my voice. ~ John 18: 37b