Reliving the Passion in the Gospel of Mark

Gather in Silence

Cross Processional

Call to Worship

The grace and peace of the Lord be with you.

And also with you.

O crucified Jesus,

Son of the Father,

conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

eternal Word of God,

we worship you.

O crucified Jesus,

holy temple of God,

dwelling place of the Most High,

we adore you.

O crucified Jesus,

who humbled himself,

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross,

we thank you.

^{— © from Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer, PCUSA. Used by permission.}

Opening Hymn: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” ^{Homburg, LUYH 137, PsH 371}

Threshold Prayer

Welcome and Introduction to the Service

We Approach with Penitence

Let us together pray:

Before you die, Jesus Christ,

and the world goes into deep darkness,

take from our lives,

from our souls,

from our consciences.

all that has offended you,

all that has hurt others,

and the intransigence

which has made us numb to the plight

of those whom we could help or heal.

^{— From “Seven Words from the Cross: Holy Week Prayer 3” in Stages on the Way: Worship Resources for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, p. 152. Iona Community, © Wild Goose Resource Group, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. All rights reserved. Used by permission.}

Followed by a time of silent prayer ended by singing “Kyrie Eleison/Lord, Have Mercy” ^{Early Greek, LUYH 635, 637}. Choir sings the first time; congregation sings the second time.

We Pause to Ask, “Why, O Lord?”

Why, O Lord?

Why did you need to come and suffer so?

Why were you so despised and rejected?

Why did you become a man of suffering and acquainted with grief?

Why did you become as one from whom others hide their faces?

Why?

We know you were oppressed and afflicted.

You were like a lamb led to the slaughter.

By a perversion of justice, you were led away.

Why, O Lord, why?

Was it to bear our infirmities and carry our diseases?

Was it to be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities?

Was the punishment you bore what makes us whole?

Was it by your bruises that we are healed?

Answer us, O Lord.

^{— based on Isaiah 53}

Choral Anthem: “God So Loved the World” ^Stainer

Reliving the Passion in the Gospel of Mark

Suffered Under Pontius Pilate

Reading: Mark 15:6–15

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer

Let us together pray:

Holy God, who was the guilty?

We stand with Barabbas.

We stand among those who deserve the punishment.

But it was your Son who took the sentence.

How can we repay you for such love?

In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Followed by a time of silent prayer.

Response: “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” ^{Heermann, LUYH 172 (v. 1–3), GtG 218, PsH 386}

Was Mocked

Reading: Mark 15:16–20

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer

Let us together pray:

Dear Lord, these words are hard for us to hear.

Mockery of anyone is terrible.

Mockery of you is unbearable.

Yet you lived what you preached.

You loved your enemies and prayed for those who persecuted you.

Daily make us more like you, we pray.

Followed by a time of silent prayer.

Choral Anthem: “He Carries My Cross Alone” ^Parker

Was Crucified

Reading: Mark 15:22–32

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer

Let us together pray:

Suffering Servant

who heard the taunts and curses of the crowd,

turn to us and bless us,

so we may taste of your love and mercy,

so we may hunger and thirst for your righteousness.

Followed by a time of silent prayer.

Response: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” ^{Watts, LUYH 173 (v. 1–3), GtG 212, PsH 385}

Was Forsaken and Died

Reading: Mark 15:33–39

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer

Let us together pray:

Lord Jesus, you finished the work you were sent to do.

Now enable us by your Holy Spirit to both stand forgiven and live faithfully following you.

In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Followed by a time of silent prayer.

Choral Anthem: “The Power of the Cross” ^{Getty and Townend, arr. Hayes}

Was Buried

Reading: Mark 15:42–46

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Moment of Silence

Response: “Were You There” ^{African American, LUYH 166, GtG 228, PsH 377}

During verses 2–4, please move to the perimeter of the sanctuary to form one large communion circle. Please make chairs on the perimeter of the chapel available to those for whom standing is difficult.

Communion Service

Consider using the invitation, thanksgiving, institution, remembrance, and prayer of consecration found with the Maundy Thursday service by Rev. Mike Abma in RW 78, “Listening at the Foot of the Cross.”

The Distribution

Song during the distribution of the bread: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” ^{Medieval, LUYH 168, GtG 221, PsH 383}

Song during the distribution of the cup: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” ^{Watts, LUYH 175, GtG 223, PsH 384}

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Parting Hymn: “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” ^{Heermann, LUYH 172 (v. 4), GtG 218, PsH 386}

Stripping of the Table

Parting Blessing

Depart in Silence