A Holy Saturday Liturgy | April 11, 2020
Adapted from ‘Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals’
Opening
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Listen, Lord, to the cries of your poor; break hell’s hold, fling wide heaven’s door.
Psalm 31:1-5
In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Listen, Lord, to the cries of your poor; break hell’s hold, fling wide heaven’s door.
John 19:38-42 | The Burial of Jesus
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Prayer
Father,
As the Spirit hovered over the darkness that covered the earth at the beginning of time, may He move among us in the silence of this day, preparing us for the newness of life to come.
Amen.
Benediction
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wildness, protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.