 The Lord is risen indeed!
Alleluia! The Second Sunday in Eastertide Earth Sunday April 19, 2020 Online Worship Opening Hymn All creatures of my God and King Hymnal #400 All creatures of my God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing: Alleluia! Alleluia! Bright burning sun with golden beams, pale silver moon that gently gleams. O Praise him, O praise him, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Opening Acclamation: Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Song of Praise Let us read responsively: "The Earth. . . is a sparkling blue and white jewel. . . laced with slowly swirling veils of white. . . like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery." (Edgar Mitchell, US Astronaut) "All creation is a song of praise to God." (Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic) "O moving force of Wisdom, you surround the wheel of the cosmos, you encompass all that is, all that has life, in one vast circle." (Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic) "All creation is a song of praise to God." "It could be that God has spread, as our vision and understanding of the universe have spread, to a fabric of spirit and sense so grand and subtle, powerful in a new way, that we can only feel blindly of its hem." (Annie Dillard, naturalist writer) "All creation is a song of praise to God” ". . . stardust is not just fairy-tale magic; it is what we are really made of. . ." (Elisabet Sahtouris, Ecofeminist) "All creation is a song of praise to God” "Great Spirit, . . . give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! . . . All over the earth the faces of living things are all alike. . . This is my prayer; hear me!" (Black Elk, Oglala Sioux) "All creation is a song of praise to God." "There is not anything new to be born. It has always been within you. It has only to be awakened, to become aware of itself in you." (Zen saying) “All creation is a song of praise to God." ". . . for in God we live/ and move/ and have our being." (Acts 17:28) “All creation is a song of praise to God” ". . . When you stand in the presence of the moon, you become a new creation. . . The elementary particles of your body have absorbed an influence and in that sense they--and you--are brand spanking new, a human being resonating everywhere with moonlight." (Brian Swimme, physicist) "All creation is a song of praise to God." "We shall not cease from exploration/ And the end of all our exploring/ Will be to arrive where we started/ And know the place for the first time." (T. S. Eliot, poet) "All creation is a song of praise to God." Collect of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. God, our Creator, as we reflect on the mystery of our fragile planet, we celebrate the wonders of Earth as our home. Teach us to sense the presence of God in Earth, making it a living sanctuary. Teach us to love Earth as our home. In the name of Christ, the Word of God, who is the creative impulse in all creation. Amen. Amen. The First Lesson: A Reading from the Book of Acts [2:14a, 22-32] Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 16 Conserva me, Domine You may choose to read the psalm together, or responsively on the half verse. Or one member of the household may read it aloud. 1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; * I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, my good above all other." 2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, * upon those who are noble among the people. 3 But those who run after other gods * shall have their troubles multiplied. 4 Their libations of blood I will not offer,* nor take the names of their gods upon my lips. 5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; * it is you who uphold my lot. 6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; * indeed, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; * my heart teaches me, night after night. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; * because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. 9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; * my body also shall rest in hope. 10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, * nor let your holy one see the Pit. 11 You will show me the path of life; * in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. The Holy Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to John [20:19-31] Glory to you Lord Christ When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ. Prayers of the People Members of each household may take turns reading these prayers. In thanksgiving and praise for the beauty and abundance of our universe, let us pray to our gracious God, whose breath gives life to the world and whose voice is heard in the wind . . . We give you thanks and praise, O God of creation, for the grandeur of all that you have made, saying We thank you, God. For the healing waters of creation, which bring pleasure and health, purity and life, We thank you, God. For the richness of the good Earth that brings forth fruits and flowers, a pleasure to taste and a joy to behold, We thank you, God. For the soaring birds of the air, the crawling creatures on the Earth, the gliding fishes in the seas, for all creatures great and small with whom we share this precious web of life, We thank you, God. For the life-giving sunlight of day, the deepening mystery of night, the wonder of the stars, and the call of the unknown in the universe, We thank you, God. From heedless misuse and dishonoring of the wonders of your hand, Good Lord deliver us. From squandering resources, abusing our companion species, and polluting the habitat we all share, Good Lord deliver us. From the folly of imagining ourselves free from the fate of your whole creation, Good Lord deliver us. For the wisdom and vision to treasure your smallest gifts of earthly life Strengthen us, O Spirit. For the conviction that you have called us to love and restore the Earth, Strengthen us, O Spirit. For the determination to begin our stewardship anew, Strengthen us, O Spirit. In thanksgiving for our health and in hope that he may reveal the light of his presence to comfort and strengthen those who are weak in body and soul, especially the victims of COVID-19, their families and caregivers, and those whose health of body, mind, and soul is imperiled by the coronavirus, Let us pray to our Creator, in Christ our Risen Savior In thanksgiving for the gift of eternal life, and in hope that he may enfold in his joyful presence those who have died, especially those who have died from complications of COVID-19 and those we now name. . . . [Pause] Let us pray to our Creator, in Christ our Risen Savior O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever, Amen. Communion Hymn Come my Way, my Truth, My Life #487 Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: such a way as gives us breath; Such a truth as ends all strife; such a life as killeth death. Come my Joy, my Love, my Heart; such a joy as none can move; Such a love as none can part; such a heart as joys in love. Holy Communion The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; and so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and to give himself for us. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us. On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at the table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. As you do this, remember me. As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, he gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me. Gathered in our own homes, as your children, we are made one body in Jesus Christ, Who came in love, lived in love, and died in love, who was and is and is to come. We share in offering our gifts of bread and wine, and we offer to you our lives--all we have been, are, and will become. Pour out your Spirit upon our offering, that it may be for us the body and blood of Christ, drawing us together as one Spirit in you. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, The Lord’s Prayer The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread and participants break their bread at home: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. We who are many and in many places, are one body, for in Christ we all share in the one bread, one cup All share in communion. Prayer of Thanksgiving Christ, you are risen with the sun; you are light in our darkness. In our separation, may we find our true place in your living body. May the new covenant through us bring healing and reconciliation to this wounded world. Alleluia! You are risen. We are risen with you. Praise and glory to the living God. Amen. Blessing: May the Spirit of God, who is above all and in all and through all, fill you with the knowledge of God’s presence in Earth and the living Christ within you. And the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen. Closing Hymn All things bright and beautiful Hymnal #405 Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, God made them all Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, he made their tiny wings. [Refrain] He gave us eyes to see them and lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well. [Refrain]
 Saturday and Sunday
April 18 and April 19 2020 Easter Day This Week at Trinity Magee plans to return this week from self-quarantine after being exposed to someone who had been diagnosed with Covid-19. We keep Magee and her 94-year-old aunt, Jean Conway, in our prayers. Magee was not with anyone outside her immediate family since being with her aunt on April 3rd. The office is closed except for essential work. Mother Judith is working remotely and is available online and by phone, and she will check messages regularly. All parish meetings will be held remotely. Public worship is suspended until further notice. This Weekend at Trinity: On Sunday we will join with churches throughout the world to observe Earth Sunday 2020, with prayers and music to celebrate the beauty of the earth and to affirm a commitment to be good stewards of the environment. A video of a brief service of Holy Communion will be available on our website and YouTube by Sunday morning at 9 am. Videos of meditations by Mother Judith are available on Wednesdays and Saturday on our website. Check our Facebook page and the diocesan website for online services from other churches, and for information on how to join Bishop Fisher for Compline every evening at 8 pm. www.diocesewma.org We will hold Digital Sunday School at 10 am on Sunday. Please contact Rachel Carpenter at carp76@gmail.com for the zoom access information. Holy Communion at Home You are welcome to set aside bread or crackers to eat during the Holy Communion service that is videotaped for Sunday mornings. We will be sharing what is called “spiritual communion,” and the bread will be a sign of the Christ-centered bond we share as a community of faith. Altar Flowers We plan a celebration with memorials for the Feast of Pentecost on May 31st. Pledges Our expenses continue even with our suspension of normal activity, but we are facing a significant shortfall in our income. During this period, please mail your pledge to the parish office to the attention of the Treasurer. If you can and it’s convenient, arrange with your bank for direct deposit. Some of you are facing financial stress: If so, please give what you can; if not, please give a bit extra to support those who cannot. Trinity GFS Scholarships Deadline extended: May 15th ! Attention high school seniors and their families. It’s time for the annual search for deserving recipients of the GFS Scholarships. Each year, Trinity gives monetary awards to qualified members who are entering an institution of higher education. These awards recognize attendance and service to Trinity Church during the applicant's high school years. The application is available to download on the website at www.trinitychurchmilford.org. Applications must be received by April 19th and the recipients will be notified shortly thereafter. Please direct all questions to GFS Scholarship Committee at gfs@trinitychurchmilford.org Eyeglass Recycling through the Milford Lions Club – Trinity's ongoing participation in the Lions eyeglass recycling program has led to a total of 474 pairs of glasses collected from Trinity parishioners for people in need. If you have eyeglasses, glasses cases, or gently used sunglasses, we will arrange for collection and delivery. Thanks to all who have contributed so far! Face Masks Trinity members are making face masks to donate to those who need them. Ginny Starkis has offered to coordinate a plan to locate necessary materials, for learning to make masks, and for distribution. Please let Ginny know how you would like to participate vstarkis@verizon.net.
 Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Easter Day April 12, 2020 Online Worship Opening Hymn Jesus Christ is risen today! Hymnal #207 Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!/our triumphant holy day, alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, alleluia! / suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, alleluia! / unto Christ, our heavenly King. Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! / sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! Opening Acclamation: Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Gloria BCP 356 Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Collect of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Let us pray. Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Holy Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to John [20:1-18] Glory to you Lord Christ Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ. Prayers of the People Members of each household may take turns reading these prayers. Awake O sleeper, rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change to your church, O God, that we might serve you with courage and grace. Awake, O church, and rise from death. And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change to your world, O God, that all might know the goodness of your love. Awake, O World, and rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change to our nation, O God, that each person might honor one another. Awake, O People, rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change for the suffering, o God, that they might know your saving help. Awake, O Sorrowful, rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change to the departed, O God, that they might forever grow in your likeness. Awake, O Saints, rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Bring newness and change to our hearts, O God, that we might grow larger in faith and hope. Awake, O Soul, and rise from death, And Christ will give you life! Awake, O Sleeper, rise from death, for Christ has burst forth from the tomb, making all things new. Rise and live, says the Lord. This day God has made for life and all joy! Alleluia! Closing Collect: O God, worker of wonders, you made this day for joy and gladness. Let the risen Lord abide with us always, set our hearts on fire, and open our eyes, so that we may see him at our tables, the Christ now entered into glory, firstborn from the dead. Amen Holy Communion The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; and so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and to give himself for us. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us. On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at the table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. As you do this, remember me. As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, he gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me. Gathered in our own homes, as your children, we are made one body in Jesus Christ, Who came in love, lived in love, and died in love, who was and is and is to come. We share in offering our gifts of bread and wine, and we offer to you our lives. Pour out your Spirit upon this offering, that it may be for us the body and blood of Christ, drawing us together as one Spirit in you. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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 forever. Amen. The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread as participants break their bread at home: Priest: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. People: We who are many are one body, for in Christ we all share in the one bread, one cup All share in communion. Prayer of Thanksgiving Christ, you are risen with the sun; you are light in our darkness. May we find our true place in your living body. May the new covenant through us bring healing and reconciliation to this wounded world. Alleluia! You are risen. We are risen with you. Praise and glory to the living God. Amen. Blessing: The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to fulfill his purpose, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. Closing Hymn Hail thee festival day Hymnal #175 Refrain: Hail thee, festival day! Blest day that art hallowed forever, day whereon Christ arose, breaking the kingdom of death. Lo, the fair beauty of earth, from the death of the winter arising! Every good gift of the year now with its Master returns; [Refrain] He who was nailed to the cross is Lord and the ruler of nature; All tings created on earth sing to the glory of God. [Refrain]  Good Friday
April 10, 2020 Noon Online Worship Noon Gathering He was despised and rejected by all people; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. Come, let us worship in spirit and truth. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray: 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. Psalm 40:1-14 [This translation drawn from Robert Alter & the Grail translation] I waited and waited for the LORD,* who bent down toward me and heard my voice. The LORD brought me up from the deadly pit, from the thickest mire* and set my feet on a crag, made my steps firm. The LORD put in my mouth a new song—a song of praise to our God.* May many see and fear and trust in the LORD. Happy are they who trust in the LORD* and do not turn to sea monster gods and to false idols. How many, O LORD my God, are the wonders and designs that you have worked for us* You have no equal. I would tell and I would speak:* They are too numerous to count. Sacrifice and grain offering You do not desire* But an open ear. – for burnt offering and offense offering You do not ask. Instead, here I am.* In the scroll of the book it stands written. To do what pleases You, my God, I desire,* and your teaching is deep within me. I proclaimed Your justice in a great assembly* Look, I will not seal my lips. LORD You Yourself know. I have not hidden your justice in my heart, Your faithfulness and Your rescue I have spoken.* I have not withheld from the great assembly Your steadfast love and truth. Your steadfast truth shall always guard me. You LORD, will not hold back Your compassion from me* Your merciful love and Your truth shall always guard me. For I am beset by evils too many to count.* My crimes overtook me and I could not see— More numerous than the hairs of my head*—and my heart sinks. Come to my rescue, O LORD,* LORD, make haste to save me. The First Word: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Reading: Luke 23:32-34 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. Meditation: The Rev. Judith Lee The Second Word: Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Reading: Luke 23:32-33; 39-43 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. . . . One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Musical Meditation The Rev. Lourey Savick The Third Word: Woman, here is your son. . . . Here is your mother. Reading: john 19:25-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. Meditation: The Rev. Eric Rodriquez The Fourth Word: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Reading: Mark 15:33-39 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’ Musical Meditation The Rev. Lourey Savick The Fifth Word: I am thirsty Reading: John 19:29-29 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. Meditation: The Rev. Judith Lee The Sixth Word: It is finished Reading: john 19:29-30 A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Musical Meditation The Rev. Lourey Savick The Seventh Word: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Reading: Luke 23:44-46 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. Meditation: The Rev. Dcn. Beth Washburn The Reproaches “My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me! I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a cross. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. For forty years in safety, I led you through the desert, I fed you with my manna, I gave you your own land, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a Cross. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. O what more would you ask from me? I planted you, my vineyard, but sour grapes you gave me, and vinegar to drink, and you have pierced your Savior and pierced Him with a spear. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. For you scourged your captors, their first born sons were taken, but you have taken scourges and brought them down on Me. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me! From slavery to freedom I led you, drowned your captors. But I am taken captive and handed to your priests. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me! Your path lay through the waters, I opened them before you, my side you have laid open and bared it with a spear. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me! I led you, held securely, My fire and cloud before you, but you have led your Savior, hands bound to Pilate’s court. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me! I bore you up with manna, you bore me down and scourged me. I gave you saving water, but you gave me soured wine. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me ! The kings who reigned in Canaan, I struck way before you. But you have struck my crowned head, and struck it with a reed. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you? Answer me! I gave you a royal scepter but you gave me a thorn crown. I raised you up in power, but you raised me on the Cross. Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy Immortal One , have mercy on us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen |
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