Here is liturgy I wrote for Good Friday and Easter Day, with Holy Saturday added to complete the three days. You can use these in church, small groups or for personal meditations on these days of darkness, of silence and of light.
Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42
Confession and Absolution
Surely, he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases,
yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
Like sheep, we all have gone astray;
we all have turned to our own way.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
crushed for our iniquities.
Like sheep, we all have gone astray;
we all have turned to our own way.
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
Like sheep, we all have gone astray;
we all have turned to our own way.
But we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens,
even Jesus, the Son of God,
who bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace in time of need.
Blessing and Dismissal
On this day of sadness,
on this day of deep darkness,
on this day of weeping and woe,
may you know the strength of the Lord who laid down his life,
may you know the peace of the Prince who forgave to the very end,
may you know the victory of the Crucified who cried ‘It is accomplished!’
And the blessing …
Go now, and wait with the disciples,
for the birdsong and dawning light,
for the revealing of God’s glory.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.
Holy Saturday
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24
Confession and Absolution
I am one who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath.
Lord, have mercy upon me.
He has driven and brought me into darkness without any light.
Lord, have mercy upon me.
He has made me sit in darkness like the dead of long ago.
Lord, have mercy upon me.
He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has put heavy chains on me.
Lord, have mercy upon me.
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
In you, O Lord, I put my trust.
Blessing and Dismissal
On this day of silence,
on this day of confusion,
on this day of waiting and not daring to hope,
may you know the strength of endurance that comes through faith,
may you know the peace of resting in God’s perfect will,
may you know the victory of comfort in despair.
And the blessing …
Go now, and trust in God’s unending love
which reaches where understanding fails
and hope lies tattered in the grass.
We go, we wait, we trust.
Easter Sunday
Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12
Confession and Absolution
Freed from the dominion of sin, we have lived as still enslaved.
Forgive us, Lord.
Forgive us and help us.
United with God through Christ, we have lived as still far off.
Forgive us, Lord.
Forgive us and help us.
Raised with Christ triumphant, we have lived as still in the tomb.
Forgive us, Lord.
Forgive us and help us.
May the God who raised Christ from the dead
free us from the power of sin and death
that we might walk in newness of life
and live to his praise and glory.
Amen.
Blessing and Dismissal
On this day of rejoicing,
on this day of perfect hope,
on this day of courage and expectation,
may you know the strength of the Lord who conquered death,
may you know the peace of the one who calls you by name,
may you know the victory of Christ’s resurrection, day by day.
And the blessing …
Go now, and rejoice with the disciples,
as they run and tell the news:
He is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
The Reflectionary 