Home Equipping Leaders African American 21st Century Africana Worship Resources for Good Friday, Year B

21st Century Africana Worship Resources for Good Friday, Year B

Call to Worship
Gather in this place to worship.
Gather to remember the Lamb who gave up life for our iniquities.
Gather your hearts to affirm the history of Good Friday long ago.
Gather to rejoice in the fulfillment of sacred written words.

Opening Hymn: "Were You There," United Methodist Hymnal, 288

Choral Reading
(Based on Psalm 22, Contemporary English Version)
[Requires at least 4 voices, may add additional readers]
ALL: Oh God, Oh creator, where are you? I need you now! (Loud voices speaking over each other.)

Reader 1: King of the Jews, miraculous birth, nurtured as a child of God, even as a youth teaching far beyond his chronological years. This great wonder performed miracles, gave sight to the blind, made wine out of water for a wedding party, cured a woman with an issue of blood. The Word did not stop there; this Rabbi interrupted an angry mob by asking the accusers about stones.

Reader 2: This man of flesh and spirit gathered followers, unbelievers, seekers, and disciples. He taught his buddies how to pray. He broke bread and communed with friends and enemies. Everyone was treated the same. From his miraculous birth, the one called "King of the Jews" knew the greatest mission death was becoming a close reality. This death would be hard, cruel, and unforgettable. There was nowhere to turn; the mission had to be completed.

Reader 3: Now the time had come. The Creator seemed so far away. The one called "King of the Jews" groaned, pleaded, and asked the question over and over again in his mind and out loud, "Why do I have to drink from this cup?" The cup's contents reeked of bitterness. The cup was filled with all the iniquities of the world the sins of friends, followers, and enemies.

Reader 4: There must be another way to save people from their sins. There must be another way to prove the Creator's love and erase evil from the hearts of people. There must be another way for the peoples of the world to obtain forgiveness and start over! But this was the way. There was no other way.

ALL: Oh God, Oh Creator, please do not desert me. Where are you? I need you now! (Voices grow louder.)

Reader 1 (or 5): Most Holy One, you rescued the people Israel when they cried out to you. You have protected me from birth, and I have been in your care all my days. Now I am in trouble. My enemies are camped around me waiting, watching, betting on my actions and reactions. I am losing my strength.

Reader 2 (or 6): My body aches from beatings and the weight of the cross. They want to break my bones, but you won't allow them. I will always praise you.

ALL: If the "King of the Jews" can follow your will in the midst of suffering and pain, I will follow you too!

(Silent reflection)

Soft Music: A "Good Friday" Selection
(Note: Historically, the period between Good Friday and Easter is a time for us to feel the weight of human sin, to wait in the cold tomb with Jesus for three days, and then, with celebration, to rise again in Christ early on Easter Sunday morning. Allow worshppers to feel the mood of this day. Do not lean too quickly into Easter celebration. Good Friday is a day for remembering our own sins and for remembering the suffering of our Savior. See Lectionary Hymns for hymn suggestions for Good Friday.)

Scripture Reading: John 18:1-19:42
(Whenever possible, read the entire passage. This is a day to pause, remember the details of the story, and then to reflect upon its significance.)

Prayer of Confession
Hear us, O God. We have taken the persecution and crucifixion of the Lamb for granted. We have dropped the ball with the praise we don't give, the love we won't share with others, and what we refuse to forgive. This is repenting hour. We commit to redirect our will to align with the will of the Great I Am. In the matchless name of Jesus, we pray for forgiveness and pardon. Amen.

Sending Forth
(Based on Hebrews 10:16-25)
Let us go with confidence to enter our neighborhoods, remembering Jesus Christ and his work. Approach your work with full assurance of faith and true hearts cleansed from an evil conscience. Refuse to waver in your confession of hope. Go in peace and love, until we meet on Resurrection Day.

About the Author: Carolyn W. Dandridge serves as the Communications Coordinator at the Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee

Contact Us for Help

View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.

Related


Subscribe

* indicates required

This is a bi-monthly email where you’ll receive the highest quality resources to support your disciple-making process. Everything from Helpful Articles, New Webinar Series and Podcasts, Discounted Teaching Series, and so much more!

Please confirm that you want to receive email from us.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please read our Privacy Policy page.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.