On this evening, we will remember the story of Jesus’ sacred sacrifice of love made on the cross. In a service of song, scripture, and silence, we will reflect on the hardship of that day and the way darkness seemed to drown out the light. The solemnity of Good Friday is an important part of the rhythm of Holy Week. Because, even in this important, poignant experience, we look to the hope of Easter—that God’s life and love triumphed over the grave. In the midst of the pain and the loss of Good Friday is a profound paradox: what seemed final was simply not final. The grave is empty. Death has indeed lost its sting. Join us for worship on Good Friday at Noon in Cole Chapel and 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. You can also join us online for the 6:30 pm service here at fumcdenton.com/live or on Facebook.
Information about Good Friday:
Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. The hours of noon to 3 p.m. are particularly significant as these commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross. It is an especially important time to pray for the church and the world for whom Christ gave his life.
The Good Friday service is a penitential service, yet it is also a celebration of the good news of the cross. Good Friday is a day in which we allow for numerous contemplative moments, and to permit the power of silence to speak for itself.
The passion narrative according to John is read on Good Friday, because at the heart of John’s passion narrative is the good news of the cross — the victory of the cross. Thus, John’s emphasis on crucifixion and glory corresponds to the tension and ambiguity of the day.
An important element of the Good Friday services is intercession in the form of bidding prayers for the whole family of God and the afflictions of the world— the Solemn Intercession. Such bidding prayers are signs of our joining in Christ’s priestly ministry of fully extending his arms in order to embrace all God’s people— that is, his posture on the cross.
The Solemn Reproaches of the Cross are an ancient text of Western Christendom associated with Good Friday. The Solemn Reproaches take the place of confession in this service.
The Service for Good Friday draws people into the story of the passion of Christ. It is composed of contrasting actions and moods of the solemn reading of the passion of Christ and, yet, a hopeful look toward the resurrection. The service continues with the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday, or an Easter Day service.