The Way of the Cross Music & Readings for Lent & Passiontide

Please stand to sing the hymnO sacred head, sore wounded,defiled and put to scorn;O kingly head, surroundedwith mocking crown of thorn:what sorrow mars thy grandeur?Can death thy bloom deflower?O countenance whose splendourthe hosts of heaven adore.In thy most bitter passionmy heart to share doth cry,with thee for my salvationupon the cross to die.Ah, keep my heart thus movedto stand thy cross beneath,to mourn thee, well beloved,yet thank thee for thy death.My days are few, O fail not,with thine immortal power,to hold me that I quail notin death’s most fearful hour:that I may fight befriended,and see in my last strifeto me thine arms extendedupon the cross of life.Silence is kept; then the priest saysAllPriestAllPaul Gerhardt (1607–76)Trans. Robert Bridges (1844–1930)Tune: Passion Chroralewe adore you, O Christ, and we bless youbecause by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.Let us pray.Lord Jesus Christ,you taught usthat what we do for the least of our brothers and sisterswe do also for you:give us the will to be the servant of othersas you were the servant of all,and gave up your life and died for us,but are alive and reign, now and for ever.Amen.