A Combined Way Of The Cross And Tenebrae Service

The service below requires two narrators, a song leader, three characters dressed in black (one of whom carries a cross and represents Jesus), one or two people to extinguish candles, two readers, and a person to offer prayer. The room should be semidark. Ten candles should be lit; one will represent Christ and should be larger or made of a different color. The three symbolic figures may take their place in the back of the church and stand in silence as the people enter.

Invocation: (Pastor or song leader) I. Narrator 1: Station 1 (Matt. 27:11–26)—Jesus is condemned to death. Narrator 2: Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Narrator 1: "Yes, it is as you say." Narrator 2: When he was accused by the high priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, "Don't you hear how many things they are accusing you of?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Narrator 1: Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. at that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barrabas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. Narrator 2: While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." Narrator 1: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. Narrator 2: "Barabbas," they answered. Narrator 1: "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Narrator 2: "Crucify him!" Narrator 1: "Why? What crime has he committed?" Narrator 2: But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Narrator 1: When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood, it is your responsibility!" Narrator 2: All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" (Pause) Narrator 1: Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and he handed him over to be crucified. Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This" (the figures move to the next station) Prayer Candle 1 is extinguished. II. Narrator 1: Station 2 (Matt. 27:27–31)—The soldiers mock Jesus Narrator 2: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Narrator 1: They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. (Pause) After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Chorus: "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" (the figures moves to the next station) Prayer Candle 2 is extinguished. III. Narrator 1: Station 3 (Luke 23:26)—The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene Narrator 2: As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. Hymn: "Near the Cross" (the figures lift the cross) Prayer Candle 3 is extinguished. IV. Narrator 1: Station 4: (Luke 23:27–31) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Narrator 2: A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, Narrator 1: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ?'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains, ?'Fall on us!' and to the hills, ?'Cover us!' For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Hymn: "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" Prayer (the figures remain in place as the cross is lowered) Candle 4 is extinguished. The service below requires two narrators, a song leader, three characters dressed in black (one of whom carries a cross and represents Jesus), one or two people to extinguish candles, two readers, and a person to offer prayer. The room should be semidark. Ten candles should be lit; one will represent Christ and should be larger or made of a different color. The three symbolic figures may take their place in the back of the church and stand in silence as the people enter. Invocation: (Pastor or song leader) I. Narrator 1: Station 1 (Matt. 27:11–26)—Jesus is condemned to death. Narrator 2: Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Narrator 1: "Yes, it is as you say." Narrator 2: When he was accused by the high priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked Him, "Don't you hear how many things they are accusing you of?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Narrator 1: Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. at that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barrabas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. Narrator 2: While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." Narrator 1: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. Narrator 2: "Barabbas," they answered. Narrator 1: "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Narrator 2: "Crucify him!" Narrator 1: "Why? What crime has he committed?" Narrator 2: But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Narrator 1: When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood, it is your responsibility!" Narrator 2: All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" (Pause) Narrator 1: Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and he handed him over to be crucified. Hymn: "What Wondrous Love Is This" (the figures move to the next station) Prayer Candle 1 is extinguished. II. Narrator 1: Station 2 (Matt. 27:27–31)—The soldiers mock Jesus Narrator 2: Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Narrator 1: They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. (Pause) After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. Chorus: "Sing Hallelujah to the Lord" (the figures moves to the next station) Prayer Candle 2 is extinguished. III. Narrator 1: Station 3 (Luke 23:26)—The cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene Narrator 2: As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. Hymn: "Near the Cross" (the figures lift the cross) Prayer Candle 3 is extinguished. IV. Narrator 1: Station 4: (Luke 23:27–31) Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Narrator 2: A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, Narrator 1: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ?'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains, ?'Fall on us!' and to the hills, ?'Cover us!' For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Hymn: "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" Prayer (the figures remain in place as the cross is lowered) Candle 4 is extinguished. V. Narrator 1: Station 5 (Isa. 53:4, 5)—Jesus is nailed to the cross Narrator 2: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds are healed. The cross is laid down, and one nail is driven into it by assistants. Hymn: "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) Another nail is driven into the cross. "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) The third nail is driven into the cross. "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) Prayer Candle 5 is extinguished. VI. Narrator 1: Station 6 (John 19:23, 24)—Jesus is stripped of his garments Narrator 2: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one of each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. Narrator 1: "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." Hymn: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" (the cross with nails is lifted for all to see) Prayer Candle 6 is extinguished. VII. Narrator 1: Station 7 (Luke 23:39–43)—Jesus welcomes the repentant thief Narrator 2: One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Narrator 1: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us." But the other criminal rebuked him. Narrator 2: "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Narrator 1: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Hymn: "Amazing Grace" (v. 1, 3, 5 sung; v. 2, 4 read by song leader) (The cross remains lifted for all to see.) Prayer Candle 7 is extinguished. VIII. Narrator 1: Station 8: (Matt. 27:45–49) Jesus cries out Narrator 2: From the sixth hour until the ninth hour (that is, noon to 3 p.m.) darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried in a loud voice, Narrator 1: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" —which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Narrator 2: When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Narrator 1: Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Narrator 2: "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." Hymn: "Jesus Paid It All" (the cross is lifted but turned upside down) Prayer Candle 8 is extinguished. IX. Narrator 1: Station 9 (Luke 23:44–49)—Jesus dies on the cross Narrator 2: It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Narrator 1: Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Narrator 2: The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. Narrator 1: But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Hymn: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" (the cross is laid down and the symbolic figures kneel) Prayer Candle 9 is extinguished. X. Narrator 1: Station 10 (Luke 23:50–56)—Jesus is laid in the tomb Narrator 2: Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Narrator 1: Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Narrator 2: The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Hymn: "Were You There?" (the symbolic figures lie prostrate near the cross) Candle 10 is extinguished. Closing prayer The lights slowly rise to half, and the congregation leaves in silence. Narrator 1: Station 5 (Isa. 53:4, 5)—Jesus is nailed to the cross Narrator 2: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds are healed. The cross is laid down, and one nail is driven into it by assistants. Hymn: "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) Another nail is driven into the cross. "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) The third nail is driven into the cross. "The Old Rugged Cross" (a cappella) Prayer Candle 5 is extinguished. VI. Narrator 1: Station 6 (John 19:23, 24)—Jesus is stripped of his garments Narrator 2: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one of each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. Narrator 1: "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." Hymn: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" (the cross with nails is lifted for all to see) Prayer Candle 6 is extinguished. VII. Narrator 1: Station 7 (Luke 23:39–43)—Jesus welcomes the repentant thief Narrator 2: One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: Narrator 1: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us." But the other criminal rebuked him. Narrator 2: "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Narrator 1: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Hymn: "Amazing Grace" (v. 1, 3, 5 sung; v. 2, 4 read by song leader) (The cross remains lifted for all to see.) Prayer Candle 7 is extinguished. VIII. Narrator 1: Station 8: (Matt. 27:45–49) Jesus cries out Narrator 2: From the sixth hour until the ninth hour (that is, noon to 3 p.m.) darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried in a loud voice, Narrator 1: "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" —which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Narrator 2: When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Narrator 1: Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Narrator 2: "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." Hymn: "Jesus Paid It All" (the cross is lifted but turned upside down) Prayer Candle 8 is extinguished. IX. Narrator 1: Station 9 (Luke 23:44–49)—Jesus dies on the cross Narrator 2: It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Narrator 1: Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Narrator 2: The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. Narrator 1: But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Hymn: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" (the cross is laid down and the symbolic figures kneel) Prayer Candle 9 is extinguished. X. Narrator 1: Station 10 (Luke 23:50–56)—Jesus is laid in the tomb Narrator 2: Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Narrator 1: Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Narrator 2: The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Hymn: "Were You There?" (the symbolic figures lie prostrate near the cross) Candle 10 is extinguished. Closing prayer The lights slowly rise to half, and the congregation leaves in silence.