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The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of the worship of the common folk during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae.

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. 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.

(If you are able to, click on the listed links at the appropriate time as indicated throughout the service and before you begin, have a small glass of grape juice and piece of bread prepared and ready for use during the time of Communion)

The Approach to God

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.

Response: What Wondrous Love Is This



The Lord’s Supper

As we prepare to share around the table of the Lord watch the following video:



Leader: The Lord be with you

People: And also, with you.

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks unto the Lord.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Thank you, O Lord, that with the sweep of creation

you have revealed the beauty of your blessing to the whole universe.

Though the ugliness of our sin has marred creation, killed innocents, and caused slavery,

you make and keep covenant with your people,

leading us from bondage to freedom

and send us prophets to call us back to your ways of justice and peace for all.

May You be praised, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe.

You feed the world with goodness, mercy, and grace.

Blessed are you, O God,

for our beloved brother Jesus

who came to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life

so that we might share in your blessing

and live in your abundance forever and ever.

When we were hungry, without food, he healed us.

When ignorant, he taught us.

When we were sick, he touched us with healing.

When enslaved to demons, he freed us.

He embodied your Sovereign rule all the way to certain death by Empire,

yet he did not back down.

Pick up bread from the basket on the table, saying

The last time he sat at table with his disciples, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it

he broke it, gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Take bread from your table and share it with one another with the words, “The body of

Christ” until all have bread. We will partake together after all are served.

Raise your bread with the words, “Manna from heaven” and partake.

After eating, continue, pouring the grape juice into the cup you used for supper, saying

Thank you, Lord, that after eating together, you took a cup and gave it to your friends,

saying, “Drink from this all of you, this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for

many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Pour the grape juice in one another’s cups at your table with the words, “The cup of the

covenant in Christ’s blood.” We will drink together when all are served.

Lift your cup with the words, “The cup of salvation” and partake.

Send forth your Holy Spirit now, we pray,

That, as we read the ancient story,

we may hear you speak

among all the screams and silences of the cross.

Keep us all one,

even as you prayed we would all be one,

and fill us with the strength to abide with you

and minister unto you

even in the torturous chaos of a crucifying world.

This we ask in Christ, through Christ, with Christ

to whom be all honour and glory and dominion now and forevermore.

Amen.

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

"Judas, Peter”

because we are all

betrayers, taking

silver and eating

body and blood and asking

(guilty) is it I and hearing

him say yes

it would be simple for us all

to rush out

and hang ourselves

but if we find grace

to cry and wait

after the voice of morning

has crowed in our ears

clearly enough

to break our hearts

he will be there

to ask us each again

do you love me?

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

In the Shadow of the Cross

The Shadow of Death

Reading Matthew 27:45-54

Response When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 



The Christ Candle is Removed

The Shadow of Burial

Reading Matthew 27:57-60

Solo Response Were You There?



Pause for a time of Silent Meditation

The Christ Candle Is Restored

Dismissal

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small,

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

May Jesus Christ, who for our sakes became obedient unto death,

even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you. Amen.

Borrowed from Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

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Thursday, 9th April 2020

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