Good Friday Service at 6 p.m. on April 7th is centered around the Tenebrae. 'Tenebrae' is the Latin word meaning 'darkness.' The service of Tenebrae as practiced in most Protestant Churches is an adaptation of medieval Roman Catholic practices for each of the days of Holy Week dating back to the ninth century. For United Methodists and some other Protestants, the story of the suffering and death of Jesus from John’s gospel is divided into 16 readings. After each segment of the story is read, a candle is extinguished. After the fifteenth reading, which confirms that Jesus had died on the cross, the last of the 15 lit candles is extinguished or taken away, and a loud sound (called strepitus in Latin) is made to convey the sense of total loss of God’s presence and the effect of the death of Jesus on the universe. The final story of the burial is read in near darkness. Worshipers leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection, on Easter Sunday (from umc.org).
Choral Introit Look To The Cross
Welcome
Centering Words
Call To Worship
Liturgist: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
All: We were the hollow echo of hosannas once spoken in love.
Liturgist: Were you in the garden when the disciples fell asleep?
All: We were the betrayal in Judas’s kiss.
Liturgist: Were you in the courtyard when the cock crowed?
All: We were the denial on Peter’s lips.
Liturgist: Were you among the scoffers when Jesus was flogged?
All: We were the whip in the soldier's hand.
Liturgist: Were you in Pilate’s chamber when he washed his hands of Jesus’ fate?
All: We were the hatred of the crowd, and the indifference in Pilate’s heart.
Liturgist: Were you among the spectators at Golgotha?
All: We were the nails that pierced Jesus’ hands and feet.
Liturgist: Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
All: we were the silence when no bird sang.
Hymn: No. 297 Beneath The Cross of Jesus
Prayers of Intercession
Leader: Merciful God, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross, as inhabitants of one world. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who deny justice to others:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who put our trust in power:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who are greedy:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who put others on trial:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who refuse to receive:
All: be merciful to us.
Leader: As those who are afraid of the world’s torment:
All: be merciful to us. Amen.
Choir Anthem: The Cross Was His Own
Holy Week Recap
Hymn No. 288 Where You There Vs.1
A SERVICE OF TENEBRAE Begins
A Service of Tenebrae, or "Darkness," is based on a twelfth–century late night/early morning service and is an extended meditation on the passion of Christ.
First Reading: Luke 22:39-53
The first Candle is extinguished
Second Reading: John 18:12-14
2nd Candle is extinguished
Music: UMH 290 Go To Dark Gethsemane vs. 1-2
Third Reading; Luke 22:54b-62
3rd Candle is extinguished
Litany
Matt: There is no warmth in the fire.
All: Our blood runs as cold as the night.
Sarah: The one we love is in peril.
All: Our Courage blows away like the wind.
Matt: Strangers recognize our fellowship with Jesus.
All: Our denial pierces the soul like the cock’s crow pierces the dawn.
Sarah: There is no warmth in the fire.
All: Our tears flow as cold as the night.
Fourth Reading: John 18:19-23
4th Candle is extinguished
Fifth Reading: Matthew 27:1-2
5th Candle is extinguished
Music: UMH 285
To Mock Your Regin, O Dearest Lord
Sixth Reading: Matthew 27:3-10
6th Candle is extinguished
Litany
Matt: Jesus stands condemned. All: wait! Stop this madness.
Sarah: It is too late. All: We repent of our sin.
Matt: You have been well paid.
All: We don’t want your blood money.
Sarah: It is yours all the same. All: Please, stop this madness.
Matt: It is too late.
Seventh Reading: John 18:33-38
7th Candle is extinguished
Song UMH 292 What Wondrous Love Is This vs. 1
Eighth Reading Matthew 27:15-24
8th Candle is extinguished
Prayer of Yearning
Ninth Reading: Matthew 27:26-31
9th Candle is extinguished
Hymn: UMH 286
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded vs.1
10th Reading: Matthew 27:32-37, John 19:20b-21
10th Candle is extinguished
11th Reading: Luke 23:35, 39-43
11 Candle is extinguished
Hymn: UMH 488 Jesus Remember Me
(Acapella Choir)
Litany
Matt: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our sins.
Sarah: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our desertions and our betrayals.
Matt: Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world. We bring the weight of our accusations and our scorn. Come to the cross and feel the weight of the world.
All: We bring the weight of our lives.
Twelfth Reading: Mark 15:33-34
12 Candle is extinguished
Thirteenth Reading Mark 15:35-36
13th Candle is extinguished
Fourteenth Reading: Matthew 27:50-51
14th Candle is extinguished
Song: UMH 488 Jesus Remember Me
(Acapella Choir)
Sunday’s Coming
Dismissal
Depart in Silence
