Good Friday In-Service Installation
The extension of a centered, black, wool-felt cloth covering from the top of the altar, down the front, and further down into the chancel floor area and steps, to the center nave aisle, suggests the vertical line of a giant (sanctuary-size) cross; the fact that the cloth originates and flows from the altar highlights God’s grace the sacrifice of his Son, as an offering for our sin. The black cloth literally flowing down through the chancel to the people (where they are sitting) visually describes the Word. The extended black cloth’s function is to draw the assembly nearer to the altar, and the sacrifice of the Lamb.
Church members brought wall crosses from their homes, or hand-made twig crosses to the Good Friday worship service. After the Confession of sins, and Absolution, they were encouraged to place their cross on the black path-drape, as their personal ‘worship response’ to Jesus act of salvation for them. (Ushers were available to aid those members who couldn’t negotiate steps or place their crosses.)
The assembly made a symbolic affirmation-of-faith ‘journey to The Cross’ (in contrast to their earlier celebratory ‘journey-with-palms’, down the center sanctuary aisle to praise/adore Jesus on Palm Sunday). They left Good Friday worship in silence; they picked up their crosses and took them home on Easter Sunday.
Behind the altar on Good Friday were 7 pillar candles symbolizing Christ last words, the only light in the chancel and the highest point of focus, with the black altar drape flowing down from them.
On the center side sanctuary walls, a ceiling-to-floor wide black wool-felt drape mimicked the ‘horizontal line’ of Jesus’ cross (suggesting a horizontal line from one side to the other, across the pews). This effect ‘wrapped’ the assembly - nestled, resting in the Cross of Christ.
