2023 04 07 Order of Service, Good Friday evening

Entry – with handwashing (Peter & Michele)

Prayer of Entry (Luis)
Once people are in, and sat down.
Loving God, you came among us in a vulnerable human body. With your hands you fed us, healed us, and carried us through stormy seas. And with your body you showed us the true sign of your solidarity, suffering with us and with the poor of the earth. We gather to remember your life among us, and your death. Amen.

Welcome to this joint service of Toronto United Mennonite Church and Iglesia Menonita Nueva Vida. We remember the death of Jesus, a death which showed God’s true solidarity with the world. We hear the stories of sacrifice which are close to us – the choice to give something up in order to affirm love, dignity, life and hope.

Today we will light candles to honour these sacrifices and to remember, together.

Sitting together in this circle, we remember the first disciples of Jesus on Good Friday long ago. They were confused and dismayed. They did not know which way to turn. They did not understand. Jesus called them together, called them friends. Without him, they lost their centre.

We sing together, Voices Together 731.
Abre mi corazón (Open My Heart) VT 731

Communion (Maciel & Peter)
See Good Friday Bilingual Communion
Songs during the sharing of the communion:
VT476 Eat this Bread
VT 480 I am the bread of life,

Storytelling (from the four podiums on the outside).
The Psalm reading will be displayed in both languages on the slides. Between each story we sing Taize, while the person brings their candle into the centre, places it, and lights it. Leave your microphone on your podium and the next speaker can pick it up.

Story 1 Healthcare workers (Maciel)
Psalm 22:1-5 (Spanish)
VT 480 Our darkness is never darkness & light candle

Story 2 Finding a new home (Bob)
Psalm 22:6-11 (English)
VT 480 Our darkness is never darkness & light candle

Story 3 Unhoused/Food insecure (Diana)
Psalm 22:12-21 (Spanish)
VT 480 Our darkness is never darkness & light candle

Story 4 MIgrant Worker (Luis)
Psalm 22:22-26 (English)
VT 480 Our darkness is never darkness & light candle

Songs and Prayers 22: Per Crucem (By your cross)

Congregational Reading (John 18:1 – 19:42, English)
Luis: We hear the passion narrative. If you would like to follow along in English we will project the text and in Spanish in your Bible.
Peter & Michele: Narrator and other roles. Congregation: Jesus

VT 330 Ah Holy Jesus

Psalm 22:27-31 Peter
& light candle

Departure (Luis)
Without Jesus to teach us, we must remember his words.
Without Jesus to feed us, we pray for courage.
Without Jesus to heal us, we care for each other.
May the memory of this sacrifice
As we honour our sacrifices
Bring us together again
To hear the rest of the story. Amen. (pause)
After we sing, please depart in silence.

VT 327 Jesus recuerdame (Jesus remember me)

Leave in silence.

Listen to the service here.