Here you can find resources for our liturgy to pray at home or wherever you are.
The readings for today and some of the prayers of our liturgy are on the downloadable pew sheet.
Thank you for joining us on Good Friday
as we continue our journey through the Easter Triduum
Our service features the Passion Gospel according to John, the Sung Reproaches
and the Solemn Intercessions set for this day.
In church, we start the service in silence.
The presiding priest prostrates on the floor as a sign of humility in the sight of Christ’s passion
as we keep a time of silent prayer.
You may want to have a cross ready as you worship as a reminder
of the power and message of this day and this liturgy.
Almighty God,
look graciously, we pray, on this your family,
for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed
and given into the hands of sinners,
and to suffer death upon the cross;
who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Please join in saying the text, pausing shortly at the *asterisk
Refrain: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *
let him rescue him, if he delights in him.’
Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
Packs of dogs close me in, and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *
they pierce my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me; *
they divide my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
Be not far away, O Lord; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
Refrain: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
In the Liturgy of Good Friday, a simple wooden cross is brought among those assembled for worship for veneration and meditation.
Traditionally, the Reproaches are sung at this moment, and solemn intercessions are offered as we assemble at the foot of the cross.
This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Saviour of the world.
Come, let us worship.
We reflect on the readings we have heard and meditate on the presence of the cross in our midst as the Reproaches are sung. You can join in singing the following antiphons.
I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Saviour to the cross.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
For forty years I led you safely through the desert,
I fed you with manna from heaven, and brought you to a land of plenty,
but you led your Saviour to the Cross.
What more could I have done for you?
I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness:
When I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Saviour with a lance.
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
For your sake I scourged your captors and their first-born sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you from slavery to freedom and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate’s court.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scoured me.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
For I struck down the kings of Canaan,
but you struck me with a reed.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I gave you a royal sceptre,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ taught us that what we do for others we do also for him:
give us the will to be the servant of others as he was the servant of all,
who gave up his life and died for us;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end. Amen.
In church, we sit or kneel as we make our prayer at the foot of the cross,
adapted from one of the most ancient litanies of the Church
I
Let us pray for the Holy Church of God (that our God and Lord will preserve it in peace throughout the whole world; and that we, leading a quiet and peaceable life, may glorify the Creator of heaven and earth).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God,
in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations:
preserve the works of your mercy,
that your Church throughout the world may persevere,
with steadfast faith, in the confession of your Name;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
II
Let us pray for all bishops, priests and deacons, and especially Ian, our Bishop (that God would clothe them with wisdom, and fill them with the Holy Spirit). Let us pray also for this congregation (that God would make us a royal priesthood, a holy nation, to the glory of Christ Jesus).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:
receive our supplications and prayers for all members of your holy Church;
that in their vocation and ministry
they may truly and devoutly serve you
to the glory of your name;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
III
Let us pray for the rulers of the nations (especially for Charles our King, the Government and Parliament of the United Kingdom, the Government and Parliament of Scotland, and all who serve the common good: that by God’s help they may seek justice and truth, and we may live in peace and concord).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
IV
Let us pray for those preparing to be baptised (that our Lord and God may give them illumination and understanding, opening their hearts, strengthening their faith, and granting them the waters of rebirth, so they may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you make your Church ever fruitful with new offspring:
increase the faith and understanding of those to be baptised;
that as they are buried with Christ by baptism into death,
so in Christ they may be raised to newness of life;
through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
V
Let us pray for those in tribulation and special need (for those weighed down with sickness or any trouble; for those who are in prison and captivity for the name of the Lord: that God would deliver them from every illness and disease, open the prisons, loose their chains, and restore them sound into the holy Church).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and ever-living God,
the comfort of the sorrowful,
the strength of those who suffer:
hear the prayers of your children who cry out in any tribulation;
that all may rejoice,
having known your merciful love in their time of need;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
VI
Let us pray for those who do not acknowledge the Lord our God (that, following what is right, in sincerity of heart, they may find the way to God’s own self).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you have made us for yourself
and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you:
have mercy on all who live in doubt and unbelief,
that they may know you, the one Creator God;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
VII
Let us pray for God’s ancient people, the Jews, who were the first to hear the word of the Lord our God (that together we may advance in the love of God’s name and in faithfulness to God’s covenant).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and ever-living God,
who bestowed your promises on Abraham and Sarah and their descendants:
bless the children of your covenant, both Christian and Jew;
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.
VIII
Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters who believe in Christ (that our Lord and God may be pleased to regard not our sins, but the faith of the Church, and would grant peace and unity to all Christian people).
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you gather the scattered,
and unite those you have brought together;
look kindly on all who follow Jesus Christ, your Son;
that we, who are consecrated by one baptism into his life, death, and resurrection,
may be joined together in the fullness of faith,
and united in the fellowship of love;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
IX
Let us pray to Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth, for the whole of creation, through Jesus Christ, in whom all things were made, and through whom all things were reconciled to the Father, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his Cross.
A period of silent prayer
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.
Eternal God of unchanging power and light:
look with mercy on your whole creation;
and bring to completion your saving work,
so that the whole world may see
the fallen lifted up, the old made new,
and all things brought to perfection
by him through whom all things were made,
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
After praying the intercessions, we join in saying the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
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.
Do not bring us to the time of trial
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
In church, we sing the hymn See, Christ was wounded for our sake (see pew sheet)
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Send down your abundant blessing, Lord,
upon your people who have devoutly recalled the death of your Son
in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
Grant them pardon; bring them comfort.
May their faith grow stronger and their eternal salvation be assured.
We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.
The service ends in silence.
Saturday 8th April
Holy Saturday
Sunday 9th April
Easter Day
The USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), as part of this year’s Lent Appeal, encourages us to acknowledge that our neighbours are not just those in our hometowns. Your neighbour is the person that God calls you to love despite your differences. We pray with our Church partners around the world and stand with their mission to support vulnerable people in their local communities. Please join the global Anglican church in transforming lives.
To find out more about this year’s Lent appeal and make a donation, visit uspg.org.uk/lent
Bishop Ian will be with us at HT on Sunday, 21st May, for a service of Confirmation. Should you have not been confirmed yet and wish to be included, please speak to the Rector or a member of the ministry team.
You might be interested in how best to help people in crisis in Ukraine.
The College of Bishops have highlighted these two organisations:
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal:
https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Among the DEC partners are Christian Aid, the British Red Cross, and Tearfund. The UK Government has pledged to match donations from the public to the DEC fund, pound-for-pound, up to £20 million.
The UK for UNHCR:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/where-help-is-needed/ukraine-situation/
