St. John’s Lutheran Church
April 15, 2022
The bell is tolled seven times.
St. John’s School and Little Lambs The Walk to Calvary
The Service Setting One pg. 154
Reading Isaiah 52:13—53:12
13See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—15so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand. 1Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Be seated
Hymn 422 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; Paul Gerhardt, 1607–1676, abr.
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
First Word Luke 23:32–34
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
M: Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me;
C: They pierce my hands and my feet.
M: They divide my garments among them
C: and cast lots for my clothing.
M: He bore the sin of many,
C: and made intercession for the transgressors.
M: Gracious Savior, you did not strike back with revenge against your enemies as they ridiculed and crucified you but prayed for their forgiveness. In your compassion, pardon us for our secret sins and sins we do not discern, and enlighten us to know and do your will.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.1
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Second Word Luke 23:35–43
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
M: All who see me mock me;
C: They hurl insults, shaking their heads.
M: “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him.
C: Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
M: Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people.
C: Come to my aid when you save them.
M: Mighty Redeemer, remember us as we walk through the darkest valleys of life and realize that our time on earth is ending. Stay close to us when we feel the pain and loneliness of dying and take away our fears with your certain promise of paradise.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.2
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Third Word John 19:25–27
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
M: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel,
C: and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
M: so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
C: And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
M: Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?
C: Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
M: Precious Jesus, you consider us friends and care about the needs of our bodies and souls. Keep us in your care as we walk the road of life and provide the blessings we need to gain safety, contentment, and joy in your service.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.3
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Fourth Word Matthew 27:45, 46
45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
M: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
C: Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
M: My God, I cry out by day but you do not answer,
C: by night, but I find no rest.
M: “In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon
C: and darken the earth in broad daylight.”
M: Lord Jesus, you endured the horrific penalty of our sins as your Father turned his face from you on the cross. Compel us to see in your sacrifice the dreadful nature of sin and call us to acknowledge the amazing depth of your love. Overcome our shame, dear Savior, and give us grateful faith.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.4
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Fifth Word John 19:28, 29
28After this, when he knew that all things necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled had now been accomplished, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29A 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.
M: My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
C: you lay me in the dust of death.
M: I am worn out calling for help;
C: my throat is parched.
M: They put gall in my food
C: and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
M: Dear Jesus, as our brother on earth you endured the agony of pain that besieged your body when your sacrifice was complete. Knowing our experiences, hover over us with your care and compassion when our bodies and hearts are hurting. Provide us with strength that we may confess you with confidence and power.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.5
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Sixth Word John 19:30
30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
M: On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
C: to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
M: Because of the blood of my covenant with you,
C: I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
M: I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
C: I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
M: Gracious Redeemer, you paid the full price for our redemption and have released us forever from the hold of Satan, the power of sin, and the fear of death. Protect us from the devil’s claim that we need to do more and from the accusation of our consciences that we have not done enough. Lead us to place our entire confidence in you and to live our lives secure in your grace.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.6
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Seventh Word Luke 23:44–46
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
M: Into your hands I commit my spirit;
C: deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
M: He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
C: he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
M: He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.
C: He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
M: Loving Savior, at the moment of your death you gave yourself into the loving hands of your Father. As we close our eyes in death, lead us to commit our bodies and souls to him who has summoned us by name and made us his own because of you and your love. Then, we pray, let us depart in peace.
C: Amen.
Hymn 436 The Seven Words v.7
Text: Michael D. Schultz, b. 1963
Text: © 2021 Michael D. Schultz, admin. Northwestern Publishing House. Used by permission: OneLicense no. 722228
Stand
Reading John 19:31–42
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” 38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Be seated
Good Friday Prayer
Musical Offering
Chimes CW 407, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Stand
The Sacrament pg. 165
Hymn 523 How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
Following the blessing, the lights are dimmed, and all may depart in silence.
Acknowledgments
A Service of the Seven Words from the Cross from Christian Worship Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
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