Good Friday 2025 by Pine Street Presbyterian Church

P INE S TREET P RESBYTERIAN C HURCH

IN THE C ITY OF H ARRISBURG

Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship, and Service in the World.

April 18, 2025 Good Friday

Rembrandt Van Rijn, Christ Entombed, 1630.

This was originally a composition for the Raising of Lazarus. Lazarus is seen (right) raising his head. Christ stands above the tomb, his face partially obliterated. Then, a new group was introduced, in which the body of Christ is being lowered towards the tomb.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

(Psalm 22:1)

The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of common worship during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae. As the light is extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice; we sit in the solemnity of his death and descent to hell and await his glorious resurrection.

The passion narrative this evening from the Gospel of John includes many references to “the Jews.” Such words reflect the bitter struggle of John’s community in the late first century with the Jewish synagogue and should be understood in that context. These references cannot be used to justify any contempt for Jewish people nor any belief that the church has replaced the Jewish people as the people of God. The Presbyterian Church (USA) officially condemns any such teaching and believes that God’s covenant with the Jewish people is, in the words of Paul the Apostle, “irrevocable.”

VOLUNTARY Meditation on “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” Paul Fey

INTROIT When I Survey the Wondrous Cross arr. by Tom Gallup When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down; did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

OPENING SENTENCES

One: Christ Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness

Many: Blessed is the name of the Lord.

REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM

One: The Lord be with you.

Many: And also with you.

One: Lift up your hearts.

Many: We lift them up to the Lord.

† Those able are invited to stand

Bold text is read or sung by all

ANTHEM O Mortal Man Herbert Howells

O mortal man, remember well when Christ our Lord was born. He was crucified between two thieves and crowned with the thorn, and crowned with the thorn. God bless the master of this house, with happiness beside; where e’er his body rides or walks, Lord Jesus be his guide, Lord, Jesus be his guide.

THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE

READING

John 18:1-11

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Jay Himes

READING

John 18:12-14

Benjamin Coles

Before the High Priest † HYMN Ah, Holy Jesus HERZLIEBSTER

JESU

READING

John 18:15-27

Peter’s Denial

Angela Salvadia

HYMN Sharing Paschal Bread and Wine TENEBRAE

READING John 18:28-38a

Daniel Coles

Jesus Before Pilate

READING

John 18:38b-19:16

Jesus is Sentenced to Death

Alicelyn Sleber

ANTHEM Alone, Thou Goest Forth, O Lord Michael McCabe

Alone thou goest forth, O Lord, in sacrifice to die. Is this thy sorrow naught to us who pass unheeding by? Our sins, not thine, thou bearest, Lord, make us thy sorrow feel, till through our pity and our shame love answers love’s appeal. This is earth’s darkest hour, but thou dost light and life restore; this is earth’s darkest hour, but thou dost light and life restore; then let all praise be given thee who livest evermore. Give us compassion Lord for thee, that as we share this hour, thy cross may bring to us thy joy and resurrection power. Amen, Amen.

READING

ANTHEM Were You There?

John 19:17-30

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Kenneth Hays

Bob Chilcott

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there?

READING

John 19:31-42

The Burial of Jesus

Xavia Sheffield

ANTHEM Jesus, Remember Me Jacques Berthier Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

READING

Revelation 6:12-17

The Wrath of the Lamb

Rev. Seelman

SOLEMN REPROACHES OF THE CROSS

One: "... you have prepared a cross for your Savior."

Many: Lord, have mercy upon us.

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

DISMISSAL

CLOSING

THE TOMB

DARKNESS

Revelation 7:1-3, 9-10, 13-17

LEADING IN WORSHIP TONIGHT

The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor

Joseph W. Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship

The Chancel Choir

Timothy Lupia, tenor

William Clickard, Maddie Felix, Benjamin Krumreig, Audrey Light, Pine Street Quartet

Rev. Seelman

You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord on Sunday, April 20, at 6:15 a.m. at Harrisburg Beach Club on City Island or in the church sanctuary at 10:00 a.m.

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310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 238-9304 | www.pinestreet.org