A Sermon Preached on Good Friday

This was a funeral meditation for the oldest member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Cherryville, North Carolina, held on Good Friday.

Last evening the Maundy Thursday service concluded with the dramatic act known as Stripping of the Altar. The candles were extinguished. All the rich symbolism here in the chancel was removed:the banners, the Bible markers from the lectern and pulpit, flowers, candles, torches, communion trays, paraments. This black cross was brought in and placed where you see it now.

Last evening we prepared for a death - the death of Jesus of Nazareth. He was crucified on a rise outside the walls of Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. When the Worship and Music committee made plans for our services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the committ…