Worship material
'To make Christianity comprehensive in its design, to open its benefits to all’, Thomas Falconer
Contents
Responsive reading on The tests of love
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
Turn to him the other also.
If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,
Let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile,
Go with him two miles.
Give to the one who asks, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
Turn to him the other also.
If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,
Let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile,
Go with him two miles.
Give to the one who asks, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Responsive reading on The Kingdom of God
Jesus said, The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Do you bring in a lamp to hide it under a bowl? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? Whatever is hidden will be revealed.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it becomes the largest of garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such truly belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Do not be afraid, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom of God does not come with your observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is’, or ‘There it is’, because the kingdom of God is within you.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is here!
Jesus said, The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Do you bring in a lamp to hide it under a bowl? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? Whatever is hidden will be revealed.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it becomes the largest of garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such truly belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, Do not be afraid, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.
Jesus said, The kingdom of God does not come with your observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is’, or ‘There it is’, because the kingdom of God is within you.
The time has come, the kingdom of God is here!
Responsive reading on The Great Commandments
Jesus was asked, Of all the commandments, which is the most important?
The most important is this: ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
There is no commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and all the prophets.
Jesus was asked, Of all the commandments, which is the most important?
The most important is this: ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
There is no commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the law and all the prophets.
Responsive reading The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Responsive reading ‘He taught as one who had authority’
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; they who seek find; and to all who knock, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his child asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if she asks for a fish, will give her a snake? If you, then, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask!
So in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; they who seek find; and to all who knock, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his child asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if she asks for a fish, will give her a snake? If you, then, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask!
So in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Words in normal type are intended to be said by the officiant, words in italics are responsive. Words between square brackets are instructions.
Opening words
There is a place in God’s heart,
there is a place at God’s table,
there is a place here for all people.
God who gathers us, bids us follow in the ways of love and justice.
May our hearts be open to God’s word in our worship and our living, this day and always.
Preparation
Friends, on the night before he was crucified, as he had so often done before, Jesus ate with his disciples. During that last meal Jesus took the bread they were to eat and broke it, likening it to his body that was shortly to be crucified. He then poured the wine as a parable of the shedding of his blood. We are told that Jesus asked his followers to bring to mind his sacrificial love whenever they broke bread and drank wine together. As we now repeat this act in remembrance of Jesus, may that spirit which guided him be awakened in us.
So we come to God trusting in the divine love revealed to us in Jesus. We seek to follow his example more closely, walking, as he taught us, in the way of the Kingdom of God and discovering that integrity of life which is both a divine blessing upon us and a divine ministry from us.
Lord, forgive our failures and shortcomings and may your love for us strengthen our resolve, so we may serve you without fear and without shame, all our lives. Amen.
The Beatitudes
Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle; for they shall inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.
[the bread and wine are uncovered]
Offering
(over the bread) Let the bread here set apart from the Earth's bounty remind us of all God’s blessings that we have received. May it be for us the bread of life.
(over the wine) Let the wine to be poured remind us of the self-forgetting love which Jesus had for us and which we must have for others if we are to share the fullness of the divine blessing.
All-holy God, we present our offerings - bread and wine from your Creation and from human labour, and ourselves. We pray that as the grain once scattered upon the Earth is here gathered into one bread, so your children of every nation, race and religion may be united in one living spirit of goodness and peace; and as this wine came forth from the fruit of the vine, so may your people, living as branches of the true vine, bring forth the fruit of the Kingdom. Amen.
Friends, we remember that Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks to God, he broke it,
[the bread is broken]
saying to his disciples, ‘this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’.
In the same way he poured them a cup of wine saying, ‘drink, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many’.
[the wine is poured]
Jesus told his disciples that he would not again eat Passover with them or drink the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God was fulfilled.
Our eating this bread and drinking this wine marks our commitment to serve that Kingdom.
Short silence
Communion prayer
Lord, bless those who are gathered here, and all who are joined with us in faith throughout the world.
We remember all who have worked righteousness through the ages and those who today seek to advance your Kingdom of love. Whether their names are known to us or not, their lives are known to you. May we be worthy to be numbered with them.
We remember all whom we love and who love us. We offer our thanks for their blessing upon our lives. Keep us in unity of spirit with them.
We remember those who flee misery and oppression and seek asylum and those who are in exile. Be with them wherever they are, and bring them to safety.
We remember those who are in distress, who suffer in body, mind or circumstances, and those who live under hardship, tyranny or injustice. We bear them in our hearts and pray for their relief.
We remember our enemies, any who have injured us or bear hatred towards us. We ask that you may turn their hearts and ours to the way of love, that we may live peaceably with all people. If there are any whom we have wronged, move us to make amends and to seek forgiveness, and may we freely forgive all who have wronged us.
We remember the whole human family, and pray that all souls may taste your love, and that all the ends of the Earth may see salvation flowing from the one true God.
Amen.
Short silence
Act of Communion
The bread of life.
[the bread is given with these words, those present serving each other. The bread is received with the response]
Amen.
The wine of the covenant.
[the wine is given in a similar manner]
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, grant that we who have heard your word may be deaf to the voice of hatred; that we who have felt your love may love our neighbours as ourselves; that we who have sung your praise may speak the truth; that we who have stumbled in your path may walk in the way of light; and that we who have eaten and drunk of the fruit of your Kingdom may be reborn to new life. Amen.
Benediction
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, that peace which the world can neither give nor take away, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and may the blessing of God Almighty be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.
Opening words
There is a place in God’s heart,
there is a place at God’s table,
there is a place here for all people.
God who gathers us, bids us follow in the ways of love and justice.
May our hearts be open to God’s word in our worship and our living, this day and always.
Preparation
Friends, on the night before he was crucified, as he had so often done before, Jesus ate with his disciples. During that last meal Jesus took the bread they were to eat and broke it, likening it to his body that was shortly to be crucified. He then poured the wine as a parable of the shedding of his blood. We are told that Jesus asked his followers to bring to mind his sacrificial love whenever they broke bread and drank wine together. As we now repeat this act in remembrance of Jesus, may that spirit which guided him be awakened in us.
So we come to God trusting in the divine love revealed to us in Jesus. We seek to follow his example more closely, walking, as he taught us, in the way of the Kingdom of God and discovering that integrity of life which is both a divine blessing upon us and a divine ministry from us.
Lord, forgive our failures and shortcomings and may your love for us strengthen our resolve, so we may serve you without fear and without shame, all our lives. Amen.
The Beatitudes
Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle; for they shall inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.
[the bread and wine are uncovered]
Offering
(over the bread) Let the bread here set apart from the Earth's bounty remind us of all God’s blessings that we have received. May it be for us the bread of life.
(over the wine) Let the wine to be poured remind us of the self-forgetting love which Jesus had for us and which we must have for others if we are to share the fullness of the divine blessing.
All-holy God, we present our offerings - bread and wine from your Creation and from human labour, and ourselves. We pray that as the grain once scattered upon the Earth is here gathered into one bread, so your children of every nation, race and religion may be united in one living spirit of goodness and peace; and as this wine came forth from the fruit of the vine, so may your people, living as branches of the true vine, bring forth the fruit of the Kingdom. Amen.
Friends, we remember that Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks to God, he broke it,
[the bread is broken]
saying to his disciples, ‘this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’.
In the same way he poured them a cup of wine saying, ‘drink, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many’.
[the wine is poured]
Jesus told his disciples that he would not again eat Passover with them or drink the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God was fulfilled.
Our eating this bread and drinking this wine marks our commitment to serve that Kingdom.
Short silence
Communion prayer
Lord, bless those who are gathered here, and all who are joined with us in faith throughout the world.
We remember all who have worked righteousness through the ages and those who today seek to advance your Kingdom of love. Whether their names are known to us or not, their lives are known to you. May we be worthy to be numbered with them.
We remember all whom we love and who love us. We offer our thanks for their blessing upon our lives. Keep us in unity of spirit with them.
We remember those who flee misery and oppression and seek asylum and those who are in exile. Be with them wherever they are, and bring them to safety.
We remember those who are in distress, who suffer in body, mind or circumstances, and those who live under hardship, tyranny or injustice. We bear them in our hearts and pray for their relief.
We remember our enemies, any who have injured us or bear hatred towards us. We ask that you may turn their hearts and ours to the way of love, that we may live peaceably with all people. If there are any whom we have wronged, move us to make amends and to seek forgiveness, and may we freely forgive all who have wronged us.
We remember the whole human family, and pray that all souls may taste your love, and that all the ends of the Earth may see salvation flowing from the one true God.
Amen.
Short silence
Act of Communion
The bread of life.
[the bread is given with these words, those present serving each other. The bread is received with the response]
Amen.
The wine of the covenant.
[the wine is given in a similar manner]
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, grant that we who have heard your word may be deaf to the voice of hatred; that we who have felt your love may love our neighbours as ourselves; that we who have sung your praise may speak the truth; that we who have stumbled in your path may walk in the way of light; and that we who have eaten and drunk of the fruit of your Kingdom may be reborn to new life. Amen.
Benediction
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, that peace which the world can neither give nor take away, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and may the blessing of God Almighty be among us, and remain with us always.
Amen.
The Splendour of God. Prayers and devotions for private and corporate use (4th ed. 1935) was produced by the Anglican Evangelical Group Movement. This was a small grouping within the Church of England that emerged in 1906. It quickly established an organisation and after the First World War was revitalized through Canon Vernon Storr's essays ‘Liberal Evangelicalism’. This epitomised what the movement became in the 1920s and 1930s - committed to freedom of religion and thought while maintaining the practical force of the Gospel of Christ.
In his 2003 essay on currents in evangelicalism, (www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/news/2003/20030930watercourses.cfm?doc=2), Rev. Graham Kings comments,
‘one possible distinction between contemporary open evangelicals and former liberal evangelicals is the concept of universalism. Universalism, in the sense that in the end all people, without remainder, everywhere and at all times, will be included in the kingdom of God was sometimes seen as a distinctive feature of liberal evangelicals but is usually rejected by open evangelicals’.
The AEGM closed down in 1967 but The Splendour of God contains some very fine material. I have reproduced a few acts of worship here, occasionally slightly altered where the original phraseology shows its age.
O Thou, who art the Way, the Truth and the Life,
make Thy way plain before our face.
Teach us to live boldly,
that we may be free from fear or favour,
strong in Thy love and power.
Amen
An Act of Affirmation
V. Let us stir up the gift that is within us:
R. Renew a right spirit within us, O Lord.
V. We believe that God is Spirit:
R. And they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
V. We believe that God is Light:
R. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.
V. We believe that God is Love:
R. Every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
V. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God:
R. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son.
V. We believe that he who doeth the will of God:
R. Abideth for ever. Amen.
Deliverance from Sin
V. From lack of reverence for Truth and Beauty; from prejudice and sentimentalism; from being contented with the mean and ugly,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the cowardice that dare not face new truths, the laziness contented with half-truths, and arrogance that thinks it know all the truths,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From all kinds of artificiality in life and worship and ministering; from all that is hollow, unreal and insincere,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From trivial ideas and cheap pleasures; from mistaking coarseness and vulgarity for humour,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From being dull and pompous; from being rude and offensive and ill-mannered,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the blasphemy of cynicism about our brethren made in the image of God; from all false pride, intolerance, and contempt,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From all uncleanness and unwholesomeness; from all unselfishness, slackness, and self-indulgence,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the false piety which cannot laugh; from being self-centred in our pity; from being narrowly ecclesiastical; and from loving systems more than we love Thee,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From everything in our lives and methods which may hide the true light of Thee who art the Light of the world,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the disloyalty of being satisfied with things as they are, in the Church and in the world; and from failing to share Thy indignation,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
An Act of General Intercession
Beloved in Christ, let us draw near to our Lord in humble supplication. And first, because this of all things will rejoice his heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people: for peace upon the earth he came to save: for love and unity within the one church which is his body: for goodwill amongst all people.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
And particularly let us remember before him all who are in distress and tribulation, the poor, the hungry, the unwanted, the oppressed: the sick and those that mourn: the lonely and the unloved: the aged and the little children: all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or by sin have grieved his heart of love.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
Lastly, let us remember before him those who rejoice with us but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
In his 2003 essay on currents in evangelicalism, (www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/news/2003/20030930watercourses.cfm?doc=2), Rev. Graham Kings comments,
‘one possible distinction between contemporary open evangelicals and former liberal evangelicals is the concept of universalism. Universalism, in the sense that in the end all people, without remainder, everywhere and at all times, will be included in the kingdom of God was sometimes seen as a distinctive feature of liberal evangelicals but is usually rejected by open evangelicals’.
The AEGM closed down in 1967 but The Splendour of God contains some very fine material. I have reproduced a few acts of worship here, occasionally slightly altered where the original phraseology shows its age.
O Thou, who art the Way, the Truth and the Life,
make Thy way plain before our face.
Teach us to live boldly,
that we may be free from fear or favour,
strong in Thy love and power.
Amen
An Act of Affirmation
V. Let us stir up the gift that is within us:
R. Renew a right spirit within us, O Lord.
V. We believe that God is Spirit:
R. And they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
V. We believe that God is Light:
R. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.
V. We believe that God is Love:
R. Every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.
V. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God:
R. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His son.
V. We believe that he who doeth the will of God:
R. Abideth for ever. Amen.
Deliverance from Sin
V. From lack of reverence for Truth and Beauty; from prejudice and sentimentalism; from being contented with the mean and ugly,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the cowardice that dare not face new truths, the laziness contented with half-truths, and arrogance that thinks it know all the truths,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From all kinds of artificiality in life and worship and ministering; from all that is hollow, unreal and insincere,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From trivial ideas and cheap pleasures; from mistaking coarseness and vulgarity for humour,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From being dull and pompous; from being rude and offensive and ill-mannered,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the blasphemy of cynicism about our brethren made in the image of God; from all false pride, intolerance, and contempt,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From all uncleanness and unwholesomeness; from all unselfishness, slackness, and self-indulgence,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the false piety which cannot laugh; from being self-centred in our pity; from being narrowly ecclesiastical; and from loving systems more than we love Thee,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From everything in our lives and methods which may hide the true light of Thee who art the Light of the world,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
V. From the disloyalty of being satisfied with things as they are, in the Church and in the world; and from failing to share Thy indignation,
R. O Christ, deliver us.
An Act of General Intercession
Beloved in Christ, let us draw near to our Lord in humble supplication. And first, because this of all things will rejoice his heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people: for peace upon the earth he came to save: for love and unity within the one church which is his body: for goodwill amongst all people.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
And particularly let us remember before him all who are in distress and tribulation, the poor, the hungry, the unwanted, the oppressed: the sick and those that mourn: the lonely and the unloved: the aged and the little children: all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or by sin have grieved his heart of love.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
Lastly, let us remember before him those who rejoice with us but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
(Silence)
V. As in heaven.
R. So on earth.
Christian Compass 8, autumn 2001
An Advent piece for three voices, based on the Book of Isaiah. It announces the hope of the coming of the Lord, the one who will bring salvation to the world through his self-sacrifice.
The first voice represents, roughly speaking, God's condemnation of the chosen people, the second is a reminder of God's word already given and the third expresses the hope of the forthcoming redemption. The piece can be used simply for personal meditative reading, or as a three-part recitation. However, there is scope for some dramatic effect to be added if it is being used in a church or auditorium with three voices.
The texts from Isaiah are not sequential and there has been some editing.
First voice: Hear! Hear! O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: 'I have brought up sons, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand'. O sinful nation! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. Isaiah 1
Second voice: See, the Name of the Lord comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. Isaiah 30
First voice: 'Declare to my people their rebellion and their sins. Day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They seem eager for God to come near them. "Why have we fasted", they say, "and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?"'
'Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, just a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
'Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?' Isaiah 58
Second voice: Thus says the Lord: 'Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Isaiah 56
First voice: No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads. Isaiah 59
Second voice: So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; we look for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For our offences are many in your sight and our sins testify against us. Our offences are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
First voice: The Lord looked and was angered that there was no justice. He saw that there was no-one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. Isaiah 59
Second voice: 'Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer'. Isaiah 16
First voice: Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone on your land. The Lord Almighty has declared: 'Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants'.
Woe to those who drag sin along with ropes of deceit, and wickedness as if with a harness.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Isaiah 5
Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! Isaiah 33
Second voice: The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it -me from the house of David - one who in judging leeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. Isaiah 16
First voice: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, lo those who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Isaiah 10
Second voice: Comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
Third voice: A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God'. Isaiah 40
First voice: 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights'.
Second voice: ‘Iwill not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test'.
First voice: 'Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of God also? The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel'. Isaiah 7
Third voice: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
Righteousness will be his belt, and faithfulness his sash. The wolf will live with the lamb, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah 11
Second voice: The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths'.
Out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2
Third voice:God will honour Galilee of the Gentiles. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9
Second voice: Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up like a tender shoot. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should admire him. He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He 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 her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away. Isaiah 53
Third voice: For the transgression of mi people he was stricken. He was assigned a graft with the wicked, and with the rich in his death though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord's will h crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, after the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and L satisfied.
By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities Therefore 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 h bore the sin of many, and made intercession ft the transgressors. Isaiah 53
First voice: Behold my servant, whom uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it hear: in the street; a bruised reed he will not break and a dimly burning wick he will no quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he hasestablished justice in the earth. Isaiah 42
All in unison: In that day you will say: 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you. have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation'. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say: 'Give thanks to the Lon call on his name; make known among the nation what he has done. Sing to the Lord, for he ha done glorious things; shout aloud and sing ft joy, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you'. Isaiah 12
An Advent piece for three voices, based on the Book of Isaiah. It announces the hope of the coming of the Lord, the one who will bring salvation to the world through his self-sacrifice.
The first voice represents, roughly speaking, God's condemnation of the chosen people, the second is a reminder of God's word already given and the third expresses the hope of the forthcoming redemption. The piece can be used simply for personal meditative reading, or as a three-part recitation. However, there is scope for some dramatic effect to be added if it is being used in a church or auditorium with three voices.
The texts from Isaiah are not sequential and there has been some editing.
First voice: Hear! Hear! O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: 'I have brought up sons, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand'. O sinful nation! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. Isaiah 1
Second voice: See, the Name of the Lord comes from afar, with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke; his lips are full of wrath, and his tongue is a consuming fire. Isaiah 30
First voice: 'Declare to my people their rebellion and their sins. Day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They seem eager for God to come near them. "Why have we fasted", they say, "and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?"'
'Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, just a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
'Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?' Isaiah 58
Second voice: Thus says the Lord: 'Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Isaiah 56
First voice: No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads. Isaiah 59
Second voice: So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; we look for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. For our offences are many in your sight and our sins testify against us. Our offences are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
First voice: The Lord looked and was angered that there was no justice. He saw that there was no-one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. Isaiah 59
Second voice: 'Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer'. Isaiah 16
First voice: Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone on your land. The Lord Almighty has declared: 'Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants'.
Woe to those who drag sin along with ropes of deceit, and wickedness as if with a harness.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Isaiah 5
Woe to you, O destroyer, you who have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you who have not been betrayed! Isaiah 33
Second voice: The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it -me from the house of David - one who in judging leeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. Isaiah 16
First voice: Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, lo those who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Isaiah 10
Second voice: Comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
Third voice: A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God'. Isaiah 40
First voice: 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights'.
Second voice: ‘Iwill not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test'.
First voice: 'Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of God also? The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel'. Isaiah 7
Third voice: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
Righteousness will be his belt, and faithfulness his sash. The wolf will live with the lamb, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. Isaiah 11
Second voice: The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths'.
Out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2
Third voice:God will honour Galilee of the Gentiles. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9
Second voice: Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up like a tender shoot. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should admire him. He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He 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 her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away. Isaiah 53
Third voice: For the transgression of mi people he was stricken. He was assigned a graft with the wicked, and with the rich in his death though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord's will h crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, after the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and L satisfied.
By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities Therefore 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 h bore the sin of many, and made intercession ft the transgressors. Isaiah 53
First voice: Behold my servant, whom uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it hear: in the street; a bruised reed he will not break and a dimly burning wick he will no quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he hasestablished justice in the earth. Isaiah 42
All in unison: In that day you will say: 'I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you. have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; will trust and not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation'. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say: 'Give thanks to the Lon call on his name; make known among the nation what he has done. Sing to the Lord, for he ha done glorious things; shout aloud and sing ft joy, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you'. Isaiah 12
Christian Compass 15, summer 2003
V: God's Spirit calls us into the future,
R: as we celebrate the living and eternal word.
V: God's Spirit calls us to new vision,
R: as we struggle with life as it is now.
V: God's Spirit calls us in love,
R: as we reach out to others, accepting joyfully the holy, challenging call,
V: spreading the life of the kingdom, seen with healed and healing sight.
All: So may it be! Amen
V: God's Spirit calls us into the future,
R: as we celebrate the living and eternal word.
V: God's Spirit calls us to new vision,
R: as we struggle with life as it is now.
V: God's Spirit calls us in love,
R: as we reach out to others, accepting joyfully the holy, challenging call,
V: spreading the life of the kingdom, seen with healed and healing sight.
All: So may it be! Amen
Christian Compass 6, spring 2001
An Easter memorial for individual devotion or Small Group Worship
The Stations of the Cross is a well-known spiritual exercise involving the contemplation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Although the idea of physically following the route of Jesus to his crucifixion had been current for pilgrims to Jerusalem since the fourth century, it was the Franciscans who first popularised the Stations as a devotion that could be carried out anywhere. In the seventeenth century Stations were physically erected in churches, in the form of wooden crosses with a representation of an event in the passion underneath each. Worshippers would pass from one to next in sequence, praying at each and contemplating the image.
Pope Clement XII fixed the number of stations at fourteen in 1731, with nine stations commemorating events related in the gospels and five stations taken from early Church tradition. They are as follows: (1) Jesus is condemned, (2) Jesus carries the Cross, (3) Jesus falls the first time, (4) Jesus meets his mother, (5) Simon helps Jesus carry the Cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus's face, (7) Jesus falls a second time, (8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, (9) Jesus falls a third time, (10) Jesus is stripped, (11) Jesus is nailed to the Cross, (12) Jesus dies, (13) Jesus is taken down from the Cross and (14) Jesus is buried.
The version below is rather different, however. It is inspired by a sequence of Stations that was created by Pope John Paul II. It omits those Stations that are not included in the Bible and instead runs from the ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane to the burial of Jesus. Thus it covers a longer time-span than the traditional version and so could be used over the period from the evening of Thursday to Good Friday evening. I have also given it a different title.
I should stress that the Stations of the Cross ought to be approached as an imaginative exercise in prayer, not an historical examination of 'what really happened'. It is a chance to contemplate who Jesus is for us and allow him to touch us. It encourages us to think about the meaning in Christ's suffering and death and so it can lead to a deeper appreciation of the events of Easter.
This is not a joyful exercise, for it ends not with resurrection but Jesus's burial in a cave tomb that is sealed shut with a huge boulder. Nevertheless, we have hope in the words of Jesus, 'Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You have heard me say to you, "I go away, and I will come to you" ' (John 14.27-28).
Following the Stations of the Cross does not require a specific form of devotion, nor does it need physical objects of piety to focus upon or a church building to process round. The word statio can either mean 'standing still' or 'gathering place'. The exercise set out below may be easily adapted to according to need and circumstance. While in this form it is intended for individual devotion, only slight amendment would make it suitable a form of group worship.
(1) At each Station read the New Testament account of the episode. If possible read the account through twice or more. This sets the scene for each Station.
(2) Then in silence contemplate the events. Try to feel them as if you were there as an onlooking disciple - a friend in other words - of Jesus.
(3) When you are ready offer up a prayer. I have suggested a phrase from the Gospel reading that you might find it helpful to focus upon but another may speak more clearly to you. Repeat the phrase to yourself and try to bring its significance to life.
(4) Read the suggested piece from the Psalms. Jesus knew the Psalms well and quotes from them or alludes to them several times.
(5) After another period of prayer in silence, move on to the next Station.
An Easter memorial for individual devotion or Small Group Worship
The Stations of the Cross is a well-known spiritual exercise involving the contemplation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Although the idea of physically following the route of Jesus to his crucifixion had been current for pilgrims to Jerusalem since the fourth century, it was the Franciscans who first popularised the Stations as a devotion that could be carried out anywhere. In the seventeenth century Stations were physically erected in churches, in the form of wooden crosses with a representation of an event in the passion underneath each. Worshippers would pass from one to next in sequence, praying at each and contemplating the image.
Pope Clement XII fixed the number of stations at fourteen in 1731, with nine stations commemorating events related in the gospels and five stations taken from early Church tradition. They are as follows: (1) Jesus is condemned, (2) Jesus carries the Cross, (3) Jesus falls the first time, (4) Jesus meets his mother, (5) Simon helps Jesus carry the Cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus's face, (7) Jesus falls a second time, (8) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, (9) Jesus falls a third time, (10) Jesus is stripped, (11) Jesus is nailed to the Cross, (12) Jesus dies, (13) Jesus is taken down from the Cross and (14) Jesus is buried.
The version below is rather different, however. It is inspired by a sequence of Stations that was created by Pope John Paul II. It omits those Stations that are not included in the Bible and instead runs from the ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane to the burial of Jesus. Thus it covers a longer time-span than the traditional version and so could be used over the period from the evening of Thursday to Good Friday evening. I have also given it a different title.
I should stress that the Stations of the Cross ought to be approached as an imaginative exercise in prayer, not an historical examination of 'what really happened'. It is a chance to contemplate who Jesus is for us and allow him to touch us. It encourages us to think about the meaning in Christ's suffering and death and so it can lead to a deeper appreciation of the events of Easter.
This is not a joyful exercise, for it ends not with resurrection but Jesus's burial in a cave tomb that is sealed shut with a huge boulder. Nevertheless, we have hope in the words of Jesus, 'Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You have heard me say to you, "I go away, and I will come to you" ' (John 14.27-28).
Following the Stations of the Cross does not require a specific form of devotion, nor does it need physical objects of piety to focus upon or a church building to process round. The word statio can either mean 'standing still' or 'gathering place'. The exercise set out below may be easily adapted to according to need and circumstance. While in this form it is intended for individual devotion, only slight amendment would make it suitable a form of group worship.
(1) At each Station read the New Testament account of the episode. If possible read the account through twice or more. This sets the scene for each Station.
(2) Then in silence contemplate the events. Try to feel them as if you were there as an onlooking disciple - a friend in other words - of Jesus.
(3) When you are ready offer up a prayer. I have suggested a phrase from the Gospel reading that you might find it helpful to focus upon but another may speak more clearly to you. Repeat the phrase to yourself and try to bring its significance to life.
(4) Read the suggested piece from the Psalms. Jesus knew the Psalms well and quotes from them or alludes to them several times.
(5) After another period of prayer in silence, move on to the next Station.
The Stations
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1. Jesus's agony in the garden
Mark 14. 32-42 My soul is very sorrowful Psalm 77.1-10 2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and is arrested Matthew 26. 47-50 Friend, why are you here? Psalm 38. 9-22 3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin Mark 14. 55-64 For many bore false witness against him Psalm 35.11-17 4. Jesus is denied by Peter Luke 22. 54-62 You will deny me three times Psalm 142 5. Jesus is condemned by Pontius Pilate Luke 23.13-23 I did not find this man guilty Psalm 109. 1-5,20-31 6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns Matthew 27. 27-30 They mocked him Psalm 89.19-51 7. Jesus carries the cross John 19.17 Bearing his own Cross Psalm 12 |
8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus with the cross
Mark 15. 21 They compelled a passer-by ...to carry his cross Psalm 123 9. Jesus meets with the women of Jerusalem Luke 23.27-31 Weep for yourselves and for your children Psalm 79 10. Jesus is crucified Luke 23.32-38 Father, forgive them Psalm 22. 1-18 11. Jesus promises paradise to the repentant thief Luke 23. 39-43 Jesus, remember me Psalm 32. 1-7 12. Jesus speaks to John and Mary on the cross John 19. 25-27 Woman, behold your son! Psalm 37. 1-11 13. Jesus dies on the cross Matthew 27. 45-50 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psalm 6.1-9 14. Jesus is buried in the tomb Luke 23.50-53 Laid him in a rock-hewn tomb Psalm 88 |