GOOD FRIDAY 2026 (St. Margaret Parish Hall) 3 April 2026
GOOD FRIDAY 2026 (St. Margaret Parish Hall) 3 April 2026
Opening Prayer
See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at him so marred was his look beyond human semblance and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man so shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it. Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. He was spurned and avoided by people, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.
All: Thanks be to God.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help. In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
All: Thanks be to God.
Glory to You, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ (sing twice)
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name.
Glory to You, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ (sing once)
J-Jesus, N-Narrator, O-Other single narrator, C-Crowd)
J: “Whom are you looking for?”
J: “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?”
Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter,
O: “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”
O: “What charge do you bring against this man?”
N: They cried out again,
And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, C: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
N: And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them,
C: “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
C: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.”
J: “It is finished.”
Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.
Now in the place where Jesus had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried.
So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
All: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy Church of God,
that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace,
to guard her and to unite her throughout the whole world
and grant that, leading our life in tranquility and quiet,
we may glorify God the Father almighty.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
who in Christ revealed your glory to all the nations,
watch over the works of your mercy,
that your Church, spread throughout all the world,
may persevere with steadfast faith in confessing your name.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for our most Holy Father Pope N.,
that our God and Lord,
who chose him for the Order of Bishops,
may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church,
to govern the holy People of God.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
by whose decree all things are founded,
look with favor on our prayers
and in your kindness protect the Pope chosen for us,
that, under him, the Christian people,
governed by you their maker,
may grow in merit by reason of their faith.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for our Bishop N.,
for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Church
and for the whole of the faithful people.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is sanctified and governed,
hear our humble prayer for your ministers,
that, by the gift of your grace,
all may serve you faithfully.
Through Christ our Lord.
All:. Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for (our) catechumens,
that our God and Lord
may open wide the ears of their inmost hearts
and unlock the gates of his mercy,
that, having received forgiveness of all their sins
through the waters of rebirth,
they, too, may be one with Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
who make your Church ever fruitful with new off spring,
increase the faith and understanding of (our) catechumens,
that, reborn in the font of Baptism,
they may be added to the number of your adopted children.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for all our brothers and sisters who believe in Christ,
that our God and Lord may be pleased,
as they live the truth,
to gather them together and keep them in his one Church.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
who gather what is scattered
and keep together what you have gathered,
look kindly on the flock of your Son,
that those whom one Baptism has consecrated
may be joined together by integrity of faith
and united in the bond of charity.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for the Jewish people,
to whom the Lord our God spoke first,
that he may grant them to advance in love of his name
and in faithfulness to his covenant.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
who bestowed your promises on Abraham and his descendants,
hear graciously the prayers of your Church,
that the people you first made your own
may attain the fullness of redemption.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for those who do not believe in Christ,
that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit,
they, too, may enter on the way of salvation.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
grant to those who do not confess Christ
that, by walking before you with a sincere heart,
they may find the truth
and that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love
and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life,
may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world.
Through Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for those who do not acknowledge God,
that, following what is right in sincerity of heart,
they may find the way to God himself.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
who created all people
to seek you always by desiring you
and, by finding you, come to rest,
grant, we pray,
that, despite every harmful obstacle,
all may recognize the signs of your fatherly love
and the witness of the good works
done by those who believe in you,
and so in gladness confess you,
the one true God and Father of our human race.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray also for those in public office,
that our God and Lord
may direct their minds and hearts according to his will
for the true peace and freedom of all.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
in whose hand lies every human heart
and the rights of peoples,
look with favor, we pray,
on those who govern with authority over us,
that throughout the whole world,
the prosperity of peoples,
the assurance of peace,
and freedom of religion
may through your gift be made secure.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Deacon/Cantor:
Let us pray, dearly beloved,
to God the Father almighty,
that he may cleanse the world of all errors,
banish disease, drive out hunger,
unlock prisons, loosen fetters,
granting to travelers safety, to pilgrims return,
health to the sick, and salvation to the dying.
(Prayer in silence)
Almighty ever-living God,
comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil,
may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulation
come before you,
that all may rejoice,
because in their hour of need
your mercy was at hand.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Veneration
Priest: Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world
Response: O come let us adore Him.
Refrain: O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I hurt you? Answer me.
1. I led you out of Egypt, from salvery I set you free.
2. I led you as a shepherd; I brought you safely through the sea,
3. I fought for you in battles; I won you strength and victory,
4. I planted you, my vineyard, and cared for you most tenderly;
5. Then listen to my pleading, and do not turn away from me.
1. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 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?
2. Were you there when they nailed him to a tree? Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they nailed him to a tree?
3. Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
5. Were you there when they laid him in a tomb? Were you there when they laid him in a tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in a tomb?
Refrain: Behold, behold the wood of the cross, on which is hung our salvation. O come, let us adore.
2. And when my hour of glory comes as all was meant to be.
3. For there can be no greater love shown upon this land
4. My Father if it be your plan, this cup might pass me by,
5. For surely he has borne our tears, is wounded by our sin,
6. My body now is torn with pain, my friends have left and gone.
1. Father, the hour has come, for me to glorify Your name.
Brought love to those You call Your own.
2. Father, may they be one, Father, may they all be one in Us.
Through love the world will see.
3. Father, I pray for those You gave Me, to be with Me where I am
Because Your love is forever, because Your love is forever.
1. I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He.
3. I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame. The Holy people they said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high, and they left me there on the cross to die.
4. I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black. It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone but I am the dance and I still go on.
5. They cut me down and I leapt up high, I am the life that’ll never, never die.
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me. I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
1. By the blood that flowed from thee, In thy bitter agony,
Ant.: Jesus, Saviour, hear our cry: you were suff’ring once as we;
Now enthroned in majesty, countless angels sing to thee.
2. By the thorns that crowned thy head; by thy sceptre of a reed;
3. By the nails and pointed spear; by the people’s cruel jeer;
4. By the darkness black as night, blotting out the sun from sight;
1. Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast; body of Christ, be thou my saving guest;
Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in thy tide, wash me with water flowing from thy side.
2. Strength and protection may thy Passion be; O blessed Jesus hear and answer me;
Deep in thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me; so shall I never, never part from thee.
3. Guard and defend me from the foe malign; in death’s dread moments make me only thine;
Call me, and bid me come to thee on high, when I may praise thee with thy saints for aye.
In broken bread, and the cup that we share
We remember You, in broken bread
And the cup that we share we remember You
We remember the blood You shed, we remember You
1. From heav’n You came, helpless Babe, enter’d our world, Your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve, And give Your life that we might live.
to bring our lives as a daily offering, of worship to the Servant King.
His heart with sorrow was torn, “Yet not My will, but Yours,” He said
3. Come, see His hands and His feet, the scars that speak of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered.
4. So let us learn how to serve, and in our lives enthrone Him;
Each other’s needs to prefer, for it is Christ we’re serving.
He rest within my heart for my God loves me.
Though storm-clouds threaten the day He will set me free.
He brings me life that will reach past the end of time.
And I will live like a child held in love secure.
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