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This is the worship service that Wendy Sellers was coming back to lead for us this evening in church. It is lovely that you can worship with her remotely during this Holy Week.
The Last Seven Words of Our Saviour on the Cross
It is suggested you read this aloud. If there are two of you, then one could read the part in italics and the other the parts in bold. You might also like to light a candle or to place a cross where you can see it.
The First Word
Reading: Luke 23.32-34:
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.
Jesus said:
Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
Forgive us our sins,
And bring us to everlasting life.
Amen
The Second Word
Reading: Luke 23.39-43
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.”
Jesus said:
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Taize chant:
Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom,
Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom.
(sung 5 times)
The Third Word
Reading: John 19.25b-27
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Jesus said:
Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother.
Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother.
Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother.
An oblation:
I place my hands in yours Lord,
I place my hands in yours.
I place my will in yours Lord,
I place my will in yours.
I place my days in yours Lord,
I place my days in yours.
I place my heart in yours Lord,
I place my heart in yours.
I place my life in yours Lord,
I place my life in yours.
The Fourth Word
Reading: Mark 15.33-34
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus said:
My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?
My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?
My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?
Psalm 22. 1-11: please read this on your own.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”
Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
The Fifth Word
Reading: John 19.28-29
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So, they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
Jesus said:
I thirst.
I thirst.
I thirst.
Poem – The Water of Life
A cup of tea in the afternoon,
Or a mug of hot chocolate before bed.
A gin and tonic before dinner,
Perhaps two.
A cold beer, sitting in the sun.
Sour wine on a sponge,
Given to a dying man,
When all he wanted was water.
I thirst.
The Sixth Word
Reading: John 19.30
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus said;
It is finished.
It is finished.
It is finished.
Prayer:
Eternal God,
In the cross of Jesus, we see the cost of our sin,
And the depth of your love;
In humble hope and fear, may we place at his feet
All that we have and all that we are,
Amen.
The Seventh Word
Reading: Luke 23.44-46
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.
Jesus said:
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
If you are part of the Zoom service, Jane will lead this song. Please join in at home.
Abide with me,
Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens;
Lord, with me abide;
When others helpers fail,
And comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
O abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross
Before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom,
And point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks,
And earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord,
Abide with me.
The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen