I will be attending my church's Tenebrae service tonight...
Tenebrae
A Service of Shadows
Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays his pathos, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice as we hear the overwhelming sound of the “strepitus”; and through the return of the small but persistent flame of the Christ candle at the conclusion of the service, we anticipate the joy of ultimate victory.
The Approach to God
Prelude
*Greeting
Leader: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Amen
Leader: Blessed be the name of the Lord our God,
People: who redeems us from sin and death.
Leader: For us and for our salvation, Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
People: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
*Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This
The Service of the Word
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading
Meditation
The Service of Shadows
The Shadow of Betrayal
Reading Matthew 26:20-25
Response Ah, Holy Jesus
The Shadow of the Agony of Spirit and Arrest
Reading Matthew 26:36-50
Response Go to Dark Gethsemane
The Shadow of Denial
Reading Matthew 26:69-75
Response “Judas, Peter” Poem by Luci Shaw
The Shadow of Accusation
Reading Matthew 27:11-14, 20-29
Response O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
The Shadow of Crucifixion and Humiliation
Reading Matthew 27:31-43
Instrumental Response (see notes below)
The Shadow of Death
Reading Matthew 27:45-54
Response When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (verses 1-3)
The Christ Candle is Removed
The Shadow of Burial
Reading Matthew 27:57-60
Solo Response Were You There?
Silent Meditation
The Christ Candle Is Restored
That is wonderful, Terri. I have never attended a "Tenebrae" service, although I will be attending our service tonight for Good Friday. It may be similar to this, but I don't know the exact format yet. I love this idea and may share it with our pastor, although he may already have this. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love this. Have a blessed day today and throughout the weekend. It may be Friday, but hold on, Easter's coming!
ReplyDeletePam, this is actually a Methodist service I found online to share. Our service will follow the same outline.
DeleteWhat a blessing to be able to experience such a service! Thank you for sharing it with us, Terri!
ReplyDelete"The Christ candle is restored." What an interesting sentence, and so true as we think about the meaning of Easter. Thanks for tharing this with us, Terri.
ReplyDeleteWe are so blessed to have a Saviour who gave the ultimate blood sacrifice for us and rose again on the 3rd day that all who believe may be saved. To God be the glory. xx
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful service.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri, for sharing the solemnity and beauty of the Tenebrae service with us. We are still not back to church in person, and I so miss the intimacy of these pre-Easter services.
ReplyDeleteMay you have a blessed Easter!
I've attended these. Very touching services.
ReplyDelete