THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

-- 2 photocopiable pew editions: 8.5"x14" and large print 8.5"x11" tall. You print as

    many as you need and reuse. Both are ready to go as is but fully editable for both PC

    & Mac.

-- Annotated leader's edition with prompts, suggestions and notes

-- Powerpoint slides for an entirely paperless experience

-- Piano scores, guitar/bass charts, melody lines for the four Psalm chants

-- Recordings of the four Psalm chants

-- Clear directions for a successful experience

-- All materials delivered electronically

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That's everything your worship leaders, musicians and projection/bulletin people need.

 

A $90.00 value for only $47.00.

Download below.

JESUS' HYPERLINK PRAYER

As with any spiritual encounter, we come to worship expecting transformation. 

Holy Friday evokes an intensity and intimacy many of us are not practiced at. Because My God, O My God explicitly calls the community to be present in prayer with suffering, people may naturally experience powerful feelings of grief, sadness, anger and guilt. We may also experience great hope, relief, renewal and nudges of calling.

Leaders, please tend carefully this threshold moment in Holy Week. Suggestions for special pastoral care are included in the package.

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Liturgically, the service calls for a number of voices to lead, and opportunities for the arts to be integrated-- a speaking choir, musicians, storytellers and visual artists can all be involved. The service also contains psalm chants, familiar hymns, silence, a gospel reading from John 18 and intercessory prayer.

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THREE ORIENTING COMMITMENTS

1. To pray in solidarity.
The central work of here is to orient the people of God around the cross in prayer. On Holy Friday, we proclaim Jesus Christ Emmanuel in our broken and wonderful world. Praying Psalm 22 with Jesus, we “call the roll” of all who are in need, both near us and around the world.

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2. To hear a whole darn lament.
We almost never hear a complete lament psalm in worship. As a result, we miss the fullness of the poetry-- the winding journey struggling its way from complaint through grief to gratitude. Using a variety of voices, we proclaim the whole of Psalm 22 so the people of God can experience the drama of the entire psalm, thus bearing thegospel of resurrection amid the dismaying reality of suffering.

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3. To steal it back.
The expression, “O my God” (and OMG) is hands down our planet’s favorite English-spoken blasphemy. In this service, we hear it as scripture. With Jesus, we reclaim these words as honest prayer.

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THE SONGS

The service features four psalm chants:
   - In God Alone (Psalm 62)
   - Hear My Cry, O God (Psalm 61)
   - Into Your Hands (Psalm 31)
   - My God, O My God (Psalm 22)

 

Besides these four simple songs embedded in the service, you select four additional songs known and loved by your community. (Ten suggestions are provided). Why? Partly so this new service will be well received; including tried and true elements helps success. The second reason is pastoral care: on this vulnerable night of lament, the songs uniquely loved by your people will surround the community with a familiar and grounding consolation.

 

ADAPT AWAY

Yes, feel free to edit and adjust any part of the service to suit your community’s faithful sensibilities. If you decide to make any changes, simply note your adjustments in the bulletin.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO THIS SERVICE

• A worship leader or two to lead spoken liturgy
• Three voices to embody a Speaking Choir, with both males and females represented
• Musicians to lead the songs. Consider an intimate accompaniment of piano and/or guitar,

   a melodic instrument like flute or violin and 1-3 singers.
• A printed bulletin (layout provided), or projected words (slides provided)
• Someone to choose four familiar songs to include
• One or two percussionists to play hand drums for the Speaking Choir piece (optional)
• Fabric to rend (optional)

 

"WOULD THIS WORK FOR US?"

Feel free to download and review the free pew edition. Whether you use the service or not, may your community's Holy Week be comforting and challenging in all the best ways.

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Grace, peace and justice,
Richard (Richard@worldmaking.net)