The day of the cross
Good Friday services: the day love went all the way
A Good Friday service remembers the day Jesus was crucified, giving His life for the sins of the world. It is a solemn and deeply moving gathering, and it is open to anyone who wants to come.
What to expect on Good Friday
Good Friday services are usually quieter and more reflective than a Sunday morning. There are readings that tell the story of the crucifixion, times of silence, and often solemn hymns. Some churches keep a service from noon to three, the hours of the cross. Nothing is required of you. You can come simply to sit, to listen, and to be still before the greatest act of love the world has known.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 · King James Version
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
John 19:30 · King James Version
Why it is called good
It can seem strange to call the day of a death good. Christians call it good because on the cross Jesus took upon Himself what we could not carry, and opened the way home to God. What looked like the end was love finishing its work.
Find a Good Friday service near you
When you are ready to be there in person, you can find a Good Friday service near you. We do not list service times here, because they change every year and from one place to the next. Instead we point you to real churches close to where you are, so you can go and see for yourself.
Every church shown is a real place you can visit. Check the church’s own page, or call ahead, for this year’s service times.
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