Good Friday
A Simple Service
The ministers enter in silence.
The Preparation
O God, make speed to save us.
All	O Lord, make haste to help us.

Saviour of the World

Jesus, Saviour of the world,
come to us in your mercy:
we look to you to save and help us.

All	By your cross and your life laid down,
you set your people free:
we look to you to save and help us.

When they were ready to perish, you saved your disciples: 
we look to you to come to our help.

All	In the greatness of your mercy, loose us from our chains,
forgive the sins of all your people.

Make yourself known as our Saviour and mighty deliverer;
save and help us that we may praise you.

All	Come now and dwell with us, Lord Christ Jesus:
hear our prayer and be with us always.

And when you come in your glory:
make us to be one with you
and to share the life of your kingdom.

The Collect for Good Friday

Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men and to suffer death upon the cross;
who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Hymn

There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.  

The Service of the Word

First Reading

Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective for ever, and then he sat down at the right-hand side of God. There he now waits until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet. With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect for ever those who are purified from sin.

And the Holy Spirit also gives us his witness.
First he says,
'This is the covenant that I will make with them
in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts
and write them on their minds.'
And then he says, 'I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer.' So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed.

We have, then, my brothers, complete freedom to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus. He opened for us a new way, a living way, through the curtain -- that is, through his own body. We have a great priest in charge of the house of God. So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water.
						Hebrews 10.12-22 TEV

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.
All	Thanks be to God

Hymn

Glory be to Jesus,
who in bitter pains
poured for me the life blood
from his sacred veins!

Grace and life eternal
in that blood I find,
blest be his compassion
infinitely kind!

Blest through endless ages
be the precious stream
which from endless torment
doth the world redeem!

Abel's blood for vengeance
pleaded to the skies;
but the blood of Jesus
for our pardon cries.

Oft as it is sprinkled
on our guilty hearts,
Satan in confusion
terror-struck departs;

oft as earth exulting
wafts its praise on high,
angel hosts, rejoicing,
make their glad reply.

Lift ye then your voices;
swell the mighty flood;
louder still and louder
praise the precious blood.

Second Reading

Hear the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ,
according to Luke.

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’

Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.   Luke 23.1-49 NRSV

Silence

The Intercession

The president introduces the prayers.

God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 
Therefore we pray to our heavenly Father for people everywhere according to their needs.

Let us pray for the Church of God throughout the world--
for unity in faith, in witness, and in service
for bishops and other ministers, and those whom they serve
for our bishop, and people of this diocese
for all Christians in this place
for those to be baptized
for those who are mocked and persecuted for their faith
that God will confirm his Church in faith, increase it in love, and preserve it in peace.

Lord, hear us.
All	, graciously hear us.

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer
for all your faithful people;
that in their vocation and ministry
each may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your Name:
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Let us pray for the nations of the world and their leaders--
for Elizabeth our Queen and the Parliament of this land
for those who administer the law 
and all who serve in public office
for all who strive for justice and reconciliation
that by God's help the world may live in peace and freedom.

Lord, hear us.
All	, graciously hear us.

Most gracious God and Father,
in whose will is our peace:
turn our hearts and the hearts of all to yourself,
that by the power of your Spirit
the peace which is founded on justice
may be established throughout the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for God's ancient people, the Jews,
the first to hear his word--
for greater understanding between Christian and Jew
for the removal of our blindness and bitterness of heart
that God will grant us grace to be faithful to his covenant and to grow in the love of his name.

Lord, hear us.
All	, graciously hear us.

Lord God of Abraham,
bless the children of your covenant, both Jew and Christian;
take from us all blindness and bitterness of heart,
and hasten the coming of your kingdom,
when Israel shall be saved,
the Gentiles gathered in,
and we shall dwell together in mutual love and peace
under the one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray for those who do not believe the Gospel of Christ-
for those who follow other faiths and creeds
for those who have not heard the message of salvation
for all those who have lost faith
for the contemptuous and the scornful
for those who are enemies of Christ
and persecute those who follow him
for all who deny the faith of Christ crucified
that God will open their hearts to the truth and lead them to faith and obedience.

Lord, hear us.
All	, graciously hear us.

Merciful God,
creator of all the people of the earth,
have compassion on those who do not know you,
and by the preaching of your Gospel with grace and power,
gather them into the one fold of the one Shepherd,
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for all who suffer--
for those who are deprived and oppressed
for all who are sick and handicapped
for those in darkness, in doubt and in despair,
in loneliness and fear
for prisoners
for the victims of false accusations and violence
for all at the point of death and those who watch beside them
that God in his mercy will sustain them 
with the knowledge of his love.

Lord, hear us.
All	, graciously hear us.

		Almighty and everlasting God,
the comfort of the sad, the strength of those who suffer;
hear the prayers of your children who cry out of any trouble:
and to every distressed soul grant mercy, relief, and refreshment,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us commend ourselves and all God's children
to his unfailing love,
and pray for the grace of a holy life,
that, with all who have died in the peace of Christ,
we may come to the fullness of eternal life
and the joy of the resurrection.

All	Father,
accept these prayers,
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Cross

A wooden cross may be brought into the church 
and placed in the sight of the people.

When I survey the wondrous cross
where the young Prince of Glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the cross of Christ, my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

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.

The minister says these devotions.

We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise you for your mighty resurrection;

All	by virtue of your cross
joy has come into our world.

God be gracious to us and bless us:
All	make his face shine upon us,

Let your ways be made known on earth:
All	your liberating power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God:
All	all the peoples praise you.

We glory in your cross, O Lord,
and praise you for your mighty resurrection;
All	by virtue of your cross
joy has come into our world. 

Almighty God,
as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son,
may we know your love for us,
that in humility, love and joy
we may place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All	.

Hymn

A collection may be taken.

Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
if thou wouldst my disciple be;
deny thyself, the world forsake,
and humbly follow after me.

Take up thy cross, let not its weight
fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
his strength shall bear thy spirit up,
and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
to save thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in his strength,
and calmly sin's wild deluge brave,
'twill guide thee to a better home,
it points to glory o'er the grave.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
nor think til death to lay it down;
for only those who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.

To thee, great Lord, the One in Three,
all praise forevermore ascend:
O grant us in our home to see
the heavenly life that knows no end.

The Conclusion

The minister says

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for you live and reign now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom 
in the words our Saviour taught us.

All	Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved mankind: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The ministers depart in silence.