THE PASSION AND DEATH OF THE LORD We acknowledge the Jaara Jaara people, the custodians of this land where we gather. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and pray for reconciliation. The people gather in silence.
We spend time in silent prayer. Let us pray Almighty Father, look graciously upon this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given up into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN. THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD A reading from the prophet Isaiah chapter 52: 13 to chapter 53: 12 Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 22 Response: Holy God, I put my life into your hands My God, my God, why have you forsaken me: why are you so far from helping me and from the words of my groaning? My God, I cry to you by day, but you do not answer: and by night also I take no rest. R. But you continue holy: you that are the praise of Israel. In you our forebears trusted: they trusted, and you delivered them; R.
To you they cried and they were saved: they put their trust in you and were not confounded. But as for me, I am a worm and no man: the scorn of all and despised by the people. R. Those that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out their lips at me and wag their heads, saying, He trusted in the Lord let him deliver him: let him deliver him, if he delights in him. R. Let all the ends of the earth remember and turn to the Lord: and let all the families of the nations worship before him. For the kingdom is the Lord s: and he shall be ruler over the nations. R. How can those who sleep in the earth do him homage: or those that descend to the dust bow down before him? But he has saved my life for himself: and my posterity shall serve him. R. This shall be told of my Lord to a future generation: and his righteousness declared to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. R. A reading from the First letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 1:18-31 Hear the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John The sermon Veneration and recognition of the Cross A cross bearer carries a cross into the church. The bearer halts three times before coming to the front of the people. On each occasion the cross bearer proclaims: Behold the wood of the cross on which was hung the Saviour of the world. Come let us worship him. Saviour of the world, who by your cross and precious blood have redeemed us, Save us and help us we pray. The Reproaches My people, what have I done to you? Or in what have I offended you? Testify against me. Because I led you out of the land of Egypt, you have prepared a cross for your Saviour. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Because I led you out through the desert forty years, and fed you with manna, and brought you into a good land, you have prepared a cross for your Saviour. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.
What more should I have done, and did it not? Behold, I have planted you as my fairest vine, and you have become bitter to me, for you have quenched my thirst with vinegar, and with a lance you have pierced your Saviour s side. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. My people what have I done to you? Or in what have I offended you? Testify against me. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us. Please come forward and spend a moment of quiet prayer before the cross. Prayers of the people God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him. So let us bring the needs of the whole world to the foot of the cross of Christ. We pray for the Church of God throughout the world, that God the almighty, the Eternal One will guide it, and gather it in unity and peace. Holy God, you have shown your glory to all nations in Christ your Son: guide the work of your Church, help it to keep the faith, proclaim your Name, and bring your salvation to all people. We pray for all God s people in their vocation and ministry, for all bishops, priests and deacons, and lay ministers. and for all who are preparing for baptism and confirmation.
Holy God, by your Spirit you teach your Church and make us holy: help each of us to do your work more faithfully. We pray for all who confess Christ crucified, that God will heal our divisions. Holy God, in baptism you make us one in Christ: help us to persevere in faith, and make us one in love and service. Holy God, you created us in your image: draw all people to yourself, that they may acknowledge you as the maker and redeemer of all, and know Christ s mercy and grace. Holy God, you know the longings of our hearts and you desire justice for all: guide those in authority, that people everywhere may enjoy, and rightly use, freedom, security and peace. Holy God, all tenderness and healing flow from you. We pray for the sick, the dying, the homeless, the asylum seeker, the hungry and the oppressed; for those in darkness and despair. Holy God, all love flows from you: give strength to the weary and courage to the downhearted, and show mercy to all who are in trouble, that they may know the joy of receiving your help in their hour of need.
Most merciful God, we commit ourselves to you and pray for the grace of a holy life, that, with all who have died and are alive in Christ, we may come to the fullness of eternal life, and the joy of the resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Offertory Hymn - 345 Were you there when they crucified my Lord We give thanks for the offered gifts Blessed are you..(we give thanks for the bread and wine) Blessed be God forever Blessed are you..(we give thanks for money and food offerings) Blessed be God forever THE GREAT THANKSGIVING The preface to the Great Thanksgiving prayer is on page 152.for ever praising you and singing Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest Blessed is he who comes in the Lord s name Hosanna in the Highest Then we return to page 128
your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. Prayer after communion... The Sending out of God s people Most merciful God, by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have delivered and save all people of the world; grant that, by faith in him who suffered on the cross, we may triumph in the power of his victory over sin and death, and live in newness of life, thought Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. There is no final blessing as the liturgy continues tomorrow night when we light the Easter fire and celebrate the resurrection. The people depart in silence PO Box 699, Woodend, VIC 3442 www.woodendanglican.org.au Rev d Melissa Clark 0411 722 718 Warden: Derek 0417 252 222 www.facebook.com/woodendanglican/