April 18, 2025 ENVISIONING THE PASSION GOOD FRIDAY
12 PM SERVICE
Welcome to this year's installment of "Envisioning the Passion", an Asbury First tradition that dates to the 1990s. It continues to be a privilege and joy to prepare and present this service in collaboration, and we sincerely hope that your experience of Holy Week is enhanced by the music and art you will encounter today. To accompany today’s gospel readings you will see works which come from a unique set of small and highly finished opaque watercolors (gouache) by the French artist and illustrator James Tissot, which are in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Tissot, a contemporary of Claude Monet’s, chose to remain firmly allied to the older figurative tradition rather than follow the newer, and ultimately more popular, Impressionist style. Tissot demonstrated both his firm drawing skills and subtle understanding of the gospel narratives in this series of over three hundred images, which date from 1886-94. They are unprecedented in their detail of attention to detail; of particular note are The Grotto of Gethsemane, which depicts Jesus surrounded by translucent angels as he prays in the garden, What Jesus Saw from the Cross which follows Lesson V, and the one of the soldiers breaking the legs of the thieves in Lesson VI, which is the only illustration of this scene that I have ever encountered. While listening to Craig Phillips’ "A Song Without Words" you will see numerous views of another work, The Descent from the Cross by the German master Adam Lenckhardt. This intricately detailed sculpture dates from 1653, and, almost unbelievably, was carved from a single piece of ivory measuring 17-5/8 inches tall. I am profoundly grateful that the Cleveland Museum of Art website provides gorgeous high-resolution images from every angle, which allows us to see it in exquisite detail, almost as if we were there. I am also grateful that Logan Wadley, a master’s student at the Eastman School of Music, is there with you in the sanctuary today to present the images, as I am in La Jolla, California, preparing to present a performance of Marcel Dupré’s "Stations of the Cross" tonight. Logan has been closely involved in the construction of both this service and the Stations, and his input has been invaluable on many levels. Lucy Winters Durkin, Artistic Coordinator
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Introduction
James Tissot: The Grotto of Gethsemane, 1861-1894, Brooklyn Museum of Art
Prelude Duane Prill, Organ
"Adagio for Strings" — Samuel Barber (1910-1981), arr. William Strickland
Enrique Simonet: Flevit Super Iliam (Christ Weeps Over Jerusalem) 1892, Prado, Madrid Jan van Scorel: Entry Into Jerusalem (Lockhorst Triptych), 1526-27, Centraal Museum, Utrecht Mikhail Nesterov: Entry Into Jerusalem, 1900, State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg unknown early Christian, Entry into Jerusalem (Adelphia sarcophagus), c. 340 CE, Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, Syracuse Pietro Lorenzetti: Entry into Jerusalem, before 1348, San Francesco, Assisi Wihelm Morgner: Entry Into Jerusalem, 1912, Museum am Ostwall, Dortmund Emile Nolde: Last Supper, 1909, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen André Derain: Last Supper, 1911, Art Institute of Chicago Jamini Roy: Last Supper, c. 1958, Harn Museum of Art, University of Florida, Gainesville Oliver Cheatham: Last Supper, no date, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Giotto: Christ Washing Peter’s Feet from the Passion Cycle, c. 1305, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua Ghislaine Howard: Washing the Feet, 2004, Methodist Modern Art Collection, London* He Qui: Praying at Gethsemane, 1999, giclée print Doug Porter: Exceeding Sorrowful (Agony in the Garden), 2023, private collection Natalia Volobueva: Agony in the Garden, c. 2015, private collection Hans Thoma: Agony in the Garden, 1909, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe Michael O’Brien: Agony in the Garden, c. 2009, private collection Mark Cazalet: Fool of God (Christ in the Garden), 1993, Methodist Modern Art Collection, London* Timothy Schmalz: Agony in the Garden, early 21st century, multiple locations
*images ©TMCP, used with permission. www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection, The Methodist Church in England
12 pm • April 18, 2025
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw our hearts and minds to God.
Good Friday Envisioning the Passion
Call to Worship
We gather in the shadow of the cross, To remember the depth of love shown to us. We gather to hear the story of suffering, To honor the One who chose the path of peace. We gather to witness the courage of Jesus, And to be inspired to follow in his way. Come, let us worship the One who laid down his life for the sake of love. We open our hearts to the mystery and power of this holy day.
Hymn
#292 “What Wondrous Love Is This”, vv. 1, 2
Norman Adams: Christ’s Cross and Adam’s Tree, 1989, Tate Britain, London Blake Debassige: Ojibwa Tree of Life, 1982, Anishinabe Spiritual Center, Espanola, Ontario unknown German: Holy Week as the Tree of Life, date unknown, Church of St. John, Piflas, Germany
John 18:1–11
All Images by James Tissot: The Kidron Valley Betrayal of Jesus Peter Cuts off Malchus' Ear
Choral Music
“O Come and Mourn” — Crawford R. Thoburn; words by Frederick W. Faber
O come and mourn with me awhile; O come now to the Savior's side; O come, together let us mourn: Jesus, our Love, is crucified. Have we shed no tears to shed for him, while soldiers scoff and foes deride? Ah! Look how patiently he hangs: Jesus, our Love, is crucified. Seven times he spake, seven words of love; and all three hours his silence cried for mercy on the souls of all; Jesus, our Love, is crucified. O love of God! O sin-filled world! In this dread act your strength is tried; and victory remains with love: For Christ, our Love, is crucified.
Robert Medley: A Crucifixion, 1992-93, Tate Gallery. London Gerardo Dottori: Crucifixion, 1927, Collection of Modern Religious Art, The Vatican Craigie Aitchison: Crucifixion, 1988-89, Royal Academy, London Odilon Redon: Calvary, c. 1895, Bührle Collection, Zürich
Lesson One: Jesus is betrayed
Prayer
The Grotto of Gethsemane
"Fragrant the Prayer" — Curt Oliver (1943-2018); anonymous Irish text, tr. Alice Furlong
Fragrant the prayer, Breath of rose in the air! Fragrant the prayer My child taught me! The Son of Mary bought me, the Son of Mary craved me, the Son of Mary saved me. In grey of morn Christ was forlorn! In grey of morn the birds call kindly! Be not my eyes shut blindly! The Son of Mary wept me, the Son of Mary kept me. O Countenance like the Ember, bid me remember the Lamb of God sore taken, the Lamb of God forsaken, the Lamb of God under clay, three days till Resurrection Day! Fragrant the prayer, Breath of rose in the air! Fragrant the prayer My child taught me: bid me remember!
Attributed to Vincente Carducho: The Virgin Contemplating the Instruments of the Passion, c. 1620-30, Nasher Museum, Duke University Bruno Desroches: Jesus Meets Mary, 2019, St. Nizier, Lyon Arnulf Rainer: Head of Christ, 1980, Städel, Frankfurt Philip LeBas: Stripping of Our Lord, 1962, Methodist Modern Art Collection, London* William Blake: Entombment, c. 1800, Tate Britain, London Francisco Zurbáran: Christ and the Virgin in the House at Nazareth, c. 1640, Cleveland Museum of Art
*image ©TMCP, used with permission. www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection, The Methodist Church in England
John 18:15-27
All Images by James Tissot: Peter's First Denial Jesus Before the Elders and High Priests Peter's Second Denial Peter's Third Denial
Lesson TWO: Jesus is denied
Peter's Remorse
John 18:28-40
All Images by James Tissot: Chief Priests Take Counsel Together First Interview with Pilate Morning Judgment
Lesson three: Jesus before pilate
False Witnesses
"Adoramus Te” — Felice Anerio (c. 1560-1614)
Adoramus Te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi, quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum. We adore you, Christ, and bless you, who by your holy cross have redeemed the world.
Véronique Ellena, designer + Pierre Alain Parot, master glassmaker: Christ's Benediction, 2015, Strasbourg Cathedral unknown: Head of Jesus, 2000?, Chapel of the Castle of Sta. Catalina, Jaén, Spain Karl Schmidt-Rottluff: Head of Christ, 1919, die Brucke Museum, Berlin Emil Frei Company: Head of Christ, c. 1955?, Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, MO unknown: Christ Blessing, c. 1980s? Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Buckfast Abbey, Devon Father Sieger Koder: God Begins Salvation In This World Through His Son Jesus Christ [detail], c. 1975? St. John Church, Piflas, Germany
Lesson Four: Jesus is mocked and condemned
John 19:1-16a
All Images by James Tissot: Crowning with Thorns Crucify Him! Jesus' Second Interview with Pilate Judgment of Jesus on Gabbatha
Jesus Leaves the Praetorium
“To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord” — words: Fred Pratt Green, 1972; tune: Third Tune, Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)
To mock your reign, O dearest Lord, they made a crown of thorns; set you with taunts along that road from which no one returns. They did not know, as we do now, that glorious is your crown; that thorns would flower upon your brow, your sorrows heal our own. In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord, they snatched a purple cloak, your passion turned, for all they cared, into a soldier's joke. They did not know, as we do now, that though we merit blame you will your robe of mercy throw around our naked shame. A sceptered reed, O patient Lord, they thrust into your hand, and acted out their grim charade to its appointed end. They did not know, as we do now, though empires rise and fall, your Kingdom shall not cease to grow till love embraces all.
Hieronymus Bosch: Christ Mocked, c. 1510, National Gallery of Art, London Mark Wallinger: Ecce Homo on the Steps of St. Paul’s, 1999, Israel Museum, Jerusalem Elisabetta Sirani: Ecce Homo, c. 1650, private collection Hieronymus Wierix: Allegory of Christ’s Mercy, 1581, engraving Christian Rohlfs: Ecce Homo, 1922, Museum Folkwang, Essen Enric Monserda: Divine Mercy of Jesus, early 20th century, Salesian Church and Convent, Barcelona
Lesson five: Jesus is crucified
John 19:16b-27
All Images by James Tissot: The Procession to Calvary Superscription The Soldiers Casting Lots Woman, Here is Your Son
Silence
What Jesus Saw from the Cross
"He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word" — Traditional spiritual, arr. Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
They crucified my Lord, an’ he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word. They nailed him to the tree, an’ he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word. They pierced him in the side, an’ he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word. He bowed his head and died, an’ he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word. He never said a word.
Elijah Pierce: Christ Carrying the Cross, c. 1972, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington William Edmondson: Crucifixion, 1932-37, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC Ulysses Davis: Jesus on the Cross, 1946, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Horace Pippin: Crucifixion, 1943, private collection Harriet Powers: Crucifixion from the Bible Quilt, c. 1886, National Museum of American History (Smithsonian), Washington, DC Romare Bearden: Crucifixion, 1946, Bearden Foundation, New York David Driskill: Behold Thy Mother, 1956, Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, Washington, DC
Luke 23:44-46
All Images by James Tissot: Joseph of Arimathea Seeks Pilate for Permission to Remove the Body of Jesus The Body of Jesus is Carried to the Tomb
Lesson six: Jesus dies on the cross
Lesson seven: Jesus is buried
It Is Finished
Instrumental Music Brian Donat, Cello Duane Prill, Organ
“A Song without Words” — Craig Phillips
Adam Lenckhardt: Descent from the Cross, 1653, Cleveland Museum of Art (single piece of ivory, approximately 18 x 7 x 5 inches, photographed from multiple angles, including close-ups.)
The Watch Over the Tomb
John 19:28-37
All Images by James Tissot: Jesus Is Given the Vinegar The Death of Jesus Breaking the Thieves’ Legs The Coup de Lance
Participants In the Service
Scripture Readers: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bogue-Trost, Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Artistic Coordinator: Lucy Winters Durkin Assistant/Projections Operator: Logan Wadley Organist: Duane Prill Cello: Brian Donat Schola: Gwen Paker, Brenda Nitsch, Dan McInerney, Jordan Bachmann, Heather Holmquest, Megan Ormsbee, Robert Cowles, Carl Johengen Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Production Suite Team: Kenny Bailey, Rick Church Technology Support Team: Dave Rice, Kenny Bailey, Dave Berg, Larry Dugan, Deb Bullock-Smith Technology Consultant: Justin Ocello Screen Rental and Setup: Michael Besaw, Highland Media Services
#286 “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”
José Luis Castrillo: Ecce Homo, 2023, private collection, Seville Andrea Mantegna: Man of Sorrows, c. 1500, Courtauld Institute John Hee Taek Chae: Ecce Homo, c. 2015, collection of the artist Adam Chmielowski: Ecce Homo, 1879-90, Sanctuary of St. Brother Albert, Krakow unknown Portuguese[?], Head of Christ, 17th century, private collection unknown Swabian: Head of Christ, c. 1450-99, Isabella Stewart Gardner, Museum, Boston Odilon Redon: Christ in Silence, 1897, Petit Palais, Paris
Closing in Silence
Dam de Nogales: Entombment, 2017, Helena, Montana
Permissions: "O Come and Mourn" © 2019 St. James Music Press; "Fragrant the Prayer" © 1998 Paraclete Press; "To Mock Your Reign" words © 1973 Hope Publishing Co.; "He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word" arr. © 2011, 2014 Lorenz Publishing Co.; "A Song without Words" © 2007 E.C. Schirmer Music Co.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Bulletin Credits: Art and Design by David Stith
Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
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Next Sunday, April 27, the Roberts Wesleyan University Chorale will join our 11 am Worship Service and will also perform a concert at 3:30 pm in the Sanctuary! Directed by Dr. Adam Potter, the program, Renewing Minds, Transforming Hearts: Majesty and Mystery for Choir and Organ, features organist Ryan Chan and works by Parry, Howells, Dove, Shewan, MacMillan, Rutter, and Willcocks. The concert is free and open to the public.
Roberts Wesleyan University Chorale in concert at Asbury First
We invite you during this Holy Week to join us for a special Easter Sunday Sunrise Service in the Asbury First Community Garden, followed by traditional Easter Sunday Services at 9 and 11 am in the Sanctuary. For a complete list of all of Asbury First's Holy Week offerings, visit asburyfirst.org/holy-week