Here is a liturgy that I wrote for the three hours at the cross in Truro Cathedral on Good Friday 2023. Please feel free to use in your own church next year, and amend as you wish.
Three Hours at the cross
The clergy enter informally, please remain seated.
Welcomes and introductions are given.
The congregation are invited to join in the responses in bold type
O sacred head! sore wounded,
with grief and shame bowed down, now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thy only crown!
How pale art thou with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!
What thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain:
mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain:
Lo! here I fall, my Saviour; 'tis I deserve thy place; look on me with thy favour vouchsafe to me thy grace.
What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest friend, for this, thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine for ever; and should I fainting be; Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee!
Words: Salve caput cruentatum
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and Henry Williams Baker (1821-77).
Tune: Passion Chorale by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1712)
NEH 90
Reader:
It was now about noon,
and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,
while the sun’s light failed;
Leader:
We gather in this place,
and we meet in the name of God, who is Father, Son, and Spirit,
And as the sounds of the city surround us, we are taken to a dusty far-off hill,
to the shadows of a noonday
where Jesus Christ is dying;
to stand beneath a tree, and mourn.
To pray and to ponder,
to sing laments and walk our pilgrim paths,
to weep within the silence and to cry out before our God:
Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and immortal one, Have mercy upon us.
Psalm 22:1-8 (accompanied by Byzantine harp)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises
In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free prayer
Whilst the musicians play, you are invited to visit the prayer stations around the cathedral nave, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, our Saviour, let us come to you. Our hearts are cold;
Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful;
cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak;
strengthen them with our joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty;
fill them with your divine presence.
Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours;
possess them always and only for yourself. (St Augustine)
Organ Prelude
A short organ piece will mark the changeover period between the half hour slots.
The Second Half hour: 12.30pm
The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow, where he in flesh, our flesh who made, our sentence bore, our ransom paid.
Where deep for us the spear was dyed, life’s torrent rushing from his side,
to wash us in that precious flood,
where mingled water flowed, and blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old,
the universal Lord is he,
who reigns and triumphs from the tree.
O tree of beauty, tree of light,
O tree with royal purple dight,
elect on whose triumphal breast
those holy limbs should find their rest!
To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
whom by the Cross thou dost restore,
preserve and govern evermore. Amen.
Words: Percy Dearmer (1867 – 1936) Tune: O Waly Waly: A&M 717
Reader:
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Leader:
Take us to the foot of the cross,
and let us see, as if for the first time;
the nails, the pain, the cursing of the crowd; without the old familiarity,
or the comfort of our distance.
Help us see, and help us know
the extent of your devotion,
in the midst of this monstrosity:
The Son of God condemned to die.
Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and immortal one, Have mercy upon us.
Scripture Readings
Luke 2:25-27,33-35
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God... Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free Prayer
Whilst the music plays you are invited to visit the prayer stations, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray:
Crucified Saviour, naked God,
You hang disgraced and powerless. Grieving, we dare to hope,
as we wait at the cross
with your mother and your friend. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.Amen. (New Zealand Prayer Book)
Organ Prelude
A short organ piece will mark the changeover period between the half hour slots.
The Third Half hour: 1.00pm Hymn
Be still, my soul, my resting place is Jesus,
in midst of storms he walks, to me he comes. His word is peace, peace in my troubled places, his love enfolds, my restless heart he calms.
To you I turn, in weakness please uphold me,
to you abandoned, hold me on your breast;
lead me to strength through trusting, peaceful quietness, for in your goodness, Jesus, I find rest.
To you I cry, I know that you will save me, with tenderness reach out to where I fell;
and, once again, reveal to me love's meaning, all shall be well, ah yes, all shall be well.
Words: Rosalind Brown (b. 1953). Tune: Finlandia, Sibelius (1865-1957) HOAN 43
Reader:
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.
Leader:
Help me be still;
in the rushing and the bustle and the noise of the city; help me be still enough to hear
the sounds of angels weeping,
the sounds of robbers taunting,
the sounds of women mourning
before the Son of God
Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and immortal one, Have mercy upon us.
Psalm 22: 11-18
Accompanied by Byzantine harp
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce my hands and my feet.
All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free Prayer
Whilst the music plays you are invited to visit the prayer stations, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ,
crucified for us,
we kneel at the foot of your cross to watch with you. Help us to see the cost of our forgiveness
so that we may be made new through your love;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen. (A New Zealand Prayer Book)
Organ Prelude
A short organ piece will mark the changeover period between the half hour slots.
The Fourth Half hour: 1.30pm Hymn
Here is love vast as the ocean Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life our ransom Shed for us His precious blood. Who His love will not remember Who can cease to sing His praise. He will never be forgotten Throughout Heaven’s eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion Fountains opened deep and wide Through the floodgates
of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide. Grace and love, like mighty rivers Flowed incessant from above. Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Words: William Rees (1902-1883)
Tune: Dim Ond Iesu D.Evans (1843-1913) A&M 143
Reader:
Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them;
for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
Leader:
And as our saviour hung upon the cross he dared to call God his father
Which gives us the courage to say:
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.
Scripture Readings
1 John 4:7-11,14, 1 John 5:6
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Saviour of the world....
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify:A the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free Prayer
Whilst the music plays you are invited to visit the prayer stations, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me. Separated from you let me never be. From the malignant enemy, defend me. At the hour of death, call me.
Organ Prelude
A short organ piece will mark the changeover period between the half hour slots.
The Fifth Half hour: 2.00pm
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 torments did 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;
Raise your thankful voices; swell the mighty flood; louder still and louder
praise the precious blood.
Words: Edward Caswall tr (1814-1878)
Tune: Caswall F Filitz (1804-1876) NEH 83
Reader:
with a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Leader:
Tear down the barriers
between your life and mine,
the unimportant idols
that swallow energy and time and let me enter into
a vivid comprehension
of your incalculable love expressed in pain and crucifixion.
Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and immortal one, Have mercy upon us.
Scripture Readings
John 4:10,13,14
Jesus answered the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 19
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
15
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free Prayer
Whilst the music plays you are invited to visit the prayer stations, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray:
Thirsting on the cross,
your Son shared the reproach
of the oppressed
and carried the sins of all;
in him, O God, may the despairing find you, the afflicted gain life
and the whole creation
know its true king,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From Common Worship Daily Prayer)
Organ Prelude
A short organ piece will mark the changeover period between the half hour slots.
The Sixth Half hour: 2.30pm Hymn
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the 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; the very 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?
His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o'er his body on the tree; then am I dead to all the globe, and all the globe is dead to me.
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.
Words Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Tune: Edward Miller (1735-1807) NEH 095
Reader:
When the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!
Leader:
Take us to that place,
where we can see the devastation, and comprehend a morsel
of the gravity and magnitude,
as the ever-living Son of God bowed his head and died.
Holy God,
Holy and Strong,
Holy and immortal one, Have mercy upon us.
Psalm 22: 11-18
Accompanied by Byzantine harp
But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me.
Deliver me from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
Reflection
Bishop Hugh
Free Prayer
Whilst the music plays you are invited to visit the prayer stations, should you wish to do so
Gong and Silence
A gong is sounded. Please return to your seats for a period of silent reflection which will end when another gong is sounded.
Closing Prayers
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, Lord of life,
you became as nothing for us:
be with those who feel worthless
and as nothing in the world’s eyes. You were laid in a cold, dark tomb and hidden from sight:
be with all who suffer and die in secret, hidden from the eyes of the world.
O Christ,
The Master Carpenter,
who at the last through wood and nails, purchased our salvation,
wield well your tools
in the workshop of the world,
so that we, who come rough-hewn
to your bench,
may here be fashioned
to a truer beauty by your hand.
We ask this for your name and for your sake. Amen.
From the Iona Community, Scotland As found in “Uniting In Worship” (JBCE 1988)
The burial gospel is read and the cross is carried out of the cathedral. The lights are extinguished.
Please leave in silence.
