Good Friday
Evening Prayer
April 2, 2021
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Evening Prayer
Enriching Our Worship 1 and Book of Common Prayer
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow which was brought upon me, whom the Lord has afflicted.
[Lamentations 1:12, NRSV; BCP, p. 77]
Confession of Sin
[Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 19]
Let us confess our sins to God.
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
opposing your will in our lives.
We have denied your goodness in each other,
in ourselves, and in the world you have created.
We repent of the evil that enslaves us,
the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.
Forgive, restore, and strengthen us
through our Savior Jesus Christ,
that we may abide in your love
and serve only your will. Amen.
The Officiant says the following (a Priest substitutes "you" for "us" and "your" for "our")
Almighty God have mercy on [us], forgive [us] all [our] sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen [us] in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep [us] in eternal life.
Amen.
The Invitatory and Psalter
[EOW1, p. 20]
V: O God, be not far from us. R: Come quickly to help us, O God.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Evening Psalm (Psalm 141:1-3, 8ab)
[EOW1, p. 24]
O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge.
The Psalm or Psalms Appointed
Psalm 40
[BCP, p. 640]
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, "Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
'I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.'"
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.
12 You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say, "Great is the LORD!"
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.
Psalm 54
[BCP, p. 659]
1 Save me, O God, by your Name; *
in your might, defend my cause.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; *
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, *
those who have no regard for God.
4 Behold, God is my helper; *
it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5 Render evil to those who spy on me; *
in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *
and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from every trouble, *
and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
A Reading from First Peter (1:10-20)
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look! Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.
Thanks be to God.
Canticle F: A Song of Lamentation
[EOW1, p. 33; Lamentations 1:12, 16; 3:19, 22-24, 26]
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? *
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,
Which was brought upon me, *
inflicted by God’s fierce anger.
For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, *
for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage.
Remember my affliction and my bitterness, *
wormwood and gall!
The steadfast love of God never ceases, *
God’s mercies never end.
They are new every morning; *
great is your faithfulness.
“God is my portion,” says my soul, *
“therefore will I hope in God.”
It is good that we should wait quietly *
for the coming of God’s salvation.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
A Reading from John (19:38-42)
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. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 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. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.
Thanks be to God.
Canticle Q: A Song of Christ's Goodness
[EOW1, p. 39; St. Anselm of Canterbury]
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; *
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride, *
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *
in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *
by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; *
through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead, *
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *
in your love and tenderness, remake us.
In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, *
for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Thriving in the Vine: Lenten Devotional of the Day
"Good Friday" by the Rev. Canon Loren Lasch, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Georgia
The Apostles' Creed
[EOW1, p. 41]
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
[EOW1, p. 42; BCP, p. 121]
V: God be with you. R: And also with you. Let us pray.
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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Suffrages B
[BCP, p. 122]
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of Blessed Mary the Bearer of God, Blessed Matthew our patron, and all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.
Collect of the Day: Good Friday
[BCP, p. 221]
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold 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, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect of the Holy Cross
[BCP, p. 252]
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Protection
[BCP, p. 124]
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Great Litany, EOW
[EOW1, pp. 46-49]
I. Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy on us.
Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy on us.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
II. From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred and malice; and from all evil intent,
Savior deliver us.
From sloth, worldliness and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws,
Savior deliver us.
From sins of body and mind; from deceits of the world, flesh and the devil,
Savior deliver us.
From famine and disaster; from violence, murder, and dying unprepared,
Savior deliver us.
In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of our death and at the day of judgment,
Savior deliver us.
By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood and obedience; by your baptism, fasting and temptation,
Savior deliver us.
By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; by the preaching of your reign,
Savior deliver us.
By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; by your precious death and burial,
Savior deliver us.
By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit,
Savior deliver us.
III. Hear our prayers, O Christ our God.
Hear us, O Christ.
Govern and direct your holy Church; fill it with love and truth; and grant it that unity which is your will.
Hear us, O Christ.
Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world, and to make disciples of all the nations.
Hear us, O Christ.
Enlighten your bishops, priests and deacons (especially _______) with knowledge and understanding, that by their teaching and their lives they may proclaim your word.
Hear us, O Christ.
Give your people grace to witness to your word and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit.
Hear us, O Christ.
Bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived.
Hear us, O Christ.
Strengthen those who stand; comfort and help the fainthearted; raise up the fallen; and finally beat down Satan under our feet.
Hear us, O Christ.
IV. Guide the leaders of the nations into the ways of peace and justice.
Hear us, O Christ.
Give your wisdom and strength to Joseph, the President of the United States, Brian, the Governor of this state, and Van, the Mayor of this city that in all things they may do your will, for your glory and the common good.
Hear us, O Christ.
Give to the Congress of the United States, the members of the President’s Cabinet, those who serve in our state legislature, and all others in authority the grace to walk always in the ways of truth.
Hear us, O Christ.
Bless the justices of the Supreme Court and all those who administer the law, that they may act with integrity and do justice for all your people.
Hear us, O Christ.
Give us the will to use the resources of the earth to your glory and for the good of all.
Hear us, O Christ.
Bless and keep all your people,
Hear us, O Christ.
V. Comfort and liberate the lonely, the bereaved (especially _______) and the oppressed.
Hear us, O Christ.
Keep in safety those who travel (especially _______) and all who are in peril.
Hear us, O Christ.
Heal the sick in body, mind or spirit (especially _______) and provide for the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.
Hear us, O Christ.
Guard and protect all children who are in danger.
Hear us, O Christ.
Shower your compassion on prisoners, hostages and refugees, and all who are in trouble.
Hear us, O Christ.
Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts.
Hear us, O Christ.
Hear us as we remember those who have died (especially _______) and grant us with them a share in your eternal glory.
Hear us, O Christ.
VI. Give us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your word.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us.
Offer your own intercessions and thanksgivings.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 126]
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. [Romans 15:13]
Credits: This service is drawn from The Book of Common Prayer (1979), Enriching Our Worship 1 (1997), and other liturgical resources of The Episcopal Church and the scriptures are reprinted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.