An Order For "The Seven Last Words" Service

Many congregations order their worship on Good Friday around the seven statements that Christ spoke on the cross. The following liturgy provides an example of this type of service.

Introduction In the early church, devotions were held during the three hours Christ hung on the cross, from twelve noon to three o'clock. Although records of this devotion are available from the writings of Egeria, the devotion itself did not survive and develop into a traditional devotion of the church as did other devotions of Holy Week. In the late seventeenth century, the idea of the ancient church observing three hours of devotion during the time Jesus hung on the cross was revived in Peru. This service has since been adopted by many Catholic and Protestant churches. The content of the service consists of a reflection on the last seven words of Jesus. Usually, a brief service of Scripture reading, sermon, and prayer are offered around each of Jesus' last words. A period of silence is maintained between each of the services so that people may reflect on the meaning of the words. In most churches, people are free to come and go between services rather than stay for all seven of them. Adapt to local usage and custom. Order of Service Commentary: The people are seated in silence. The ministers process to their places. Silence is kept for a period of time. The minister begins. The Opening Prayers Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. People: Lord Jesus Christ, you who were led forth into the pain of the cross for the salvation of the world: Help us to enter into your passion and death, forgive us all our sin, and bring us to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen. Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. (Silence) Hymn: "Glory Be to Jesus" THE FIRST WORD: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: Most blessed Jesus, through your suffering, you paid for our sins. Give us a deep hatred of sin. Grant us a tender spirit toward sinners, and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Teach us to confess our own sin and to seek reconciliation with those whom we have sinned against, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. (Silence) Hymn (one of the following): "Search Me, O God" "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" "We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died" THE SECOND WORD: "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: Most blessed Lord Jesus, you forgave the thief on the cross. Look on us with mercy and compassion. Give us a strong faith in you, a humble remembrance of our sins, and the strength to confess you before others, and so wash us in your blood that we may share in your glory forever, through Jesus Christ, your only beloved Son, and our Lord. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. (Silence) Hymn (one of the following): "Teach Me Thy Way" "Amazing Grace" "Jesus Said It All" "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" THE THIRD WORD: "Woman behold your Son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26–27). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: O most Holy Lord Jesus, you left us an example of holy love by leaving your mother in the care of the disciple. Purify our own feelings and pour out your blessings on our homes and relationships. Comfort the homeless, and cause us to act tenderly toward them, and bring us to your home above, where we with your mother and all the saints may worship and adore you with your Father and the Holy Spirit forever. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. Hymn (one of the following): "Go to Dark Gethsemane" "The Old Rugged Cross" "Alone Thou Goest Forth, O Lord" THE FOURTH WORD: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: O blessed Lord Jesus, you bitterly suffered alone on the cross and experienced the anguish of separation. Come, and be with us in times of despair and loneliness, and transform our sadness into fellowship with you. We pray also for our sisters and brothers throughout the world who experience alienation, oppression, and aloneness. Comfort and support them with your presence, and bring them to a place of rest in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. Hymn (one of the following): "Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed" "Jesus Paid It All" "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended" THE FIFTH WORD: "I thirst" (John 19:28). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: O most blessed Jesus, you who thirsted and experienced pain for us. Kindle in our hearts a thirst for you that we may love and serve you and lead others to find their rest in you. Remember, O Lord, all the sick and dying and deliver them from pain, granting them a happy ending through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us we pray. Amen. (Silence) Hymn (one of the following): "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" "Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed" "Wounded for Me" THE SIXTH WORD: "It is finished" (John 19:30). Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: O most blessed Savior, you proclaimed the perfect fulfillment of your work and bowed your wounded head in completion. Work in us the grace of your salvation that we might live in union with you. And whatever good work you have begun in us, continue it throughout our days that we might be full of your calling and be patient in doing well to others through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. People: Amen. (Silence) Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. Hymn (one of the following): "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness" "Calvary Covers It All" "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" THE SEVENTH WORD: "Father into thy hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46). The Homily (Silence) The Prayer Leader: O most blessed Savior, you gave up your precious life to atone for sin and conquer the powers of evil. Grant us the power to live in your name. Do not forsake us in our hour of need. Confirm our faith, deepen our repentance, and strengthen us with your body and blood, and may we come to that heavenly rest where you dwell forever with your Father in the fellowship of the Spirit. People: Amen. Leader: O Savior of the world, who by your cross and precious blood has redeemed us, People: Save us and help us, we pray. Amen. (Silence) Hymn (one of the following): "Just As I Am" "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" "We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died" THE CLOSING PRAYER O most blessed Jesus, Son of the living God: See us poor sinners through your passion and death, forgive us our sins which we have committed against you and our neighbor. Give us eternal life and everlasting joy through the blood of your cross. We give ourselves to you in faith and submission. Keep us always as your own and grant us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The people leave in silence.)