A Creative Good Friday Service

The following outline for Good Friday worship does not follow the traditional pattern described in the preceding articles. This plan will be especially helpful for congregations that worship in a more informal manner. Basic Pattern of Worship Preparation and Reflection Opening Prayer Introduction to Good Friday Scripture Readings: Luke 1:26-33, 4655; 2:8-11, 1619, 2735 Dramatic Presentation Silent Prayer Hymn: "Come and See" (Kendrick) Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6-11, 1618 Guided Reflection Time Benediction Commentary Preamble. Good Friday is a difficult day for Christians to appreciate fully. First, they are nearly two millennia removed from the Crucifixion and have known Jesus of Nazareth only through the eyes of faith. Second, Christians cannot really identify with the suffering of "a god who loves his son. " However, as believers read the Passion narrative, they can often find themselves identifying with the feelings and response of, say, a self-righteous Phar…