On this holiday Good Friday the Church commemorates the crucifixion of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ on Golgotha: “… suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried …” (Apostolic Creed).

This is the most somber worship service in the Church year. No accompaniment of hymns by the organ, no vestments – and if just black. The service starts with the congregation on its knees, confessing sins and commemorating the wrath of God over these iniquities, which all came to bear on his son Jesus Christ. The creed is not sung, just spoken – and Luther’s explanation to the 2nd Article of the Apostolic Creed is customarily used. After the gospel reading all ecclesiastical decorations are removed – no liturgical elaborations – the Lenten Litany is chanted – and after the Our Father no blessing – just silence. It was as if the sun had hid its face from these things: It was dark…

Here is the Zulu order of service for this holy day with a sermon by Pastor E. Mkhabela: Zulu Sermon on Hb.9,15.26b-28 with the order of service for Good Friday (usuku lokukhumbula ukubethelwa nokufa kweNkosi) Thanks also go to Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD for the translation of this sermon into seTswana: Tswana sermon on Hb.9,15.26b-28 with the order of service for Good Friday (letsatsi la go gopola papolo le loso lwa Morena)

We are grateful to the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for making the publication of these sermons and the distribution via snail mail possible.