A Service Of Tenebrae

The Tenebrae service is one of prolonged meditation on the suffering of Christ. Various readings trace the story of Christ's passion, the music expresses his pathos, and the darkness with the accompanying silence suggests the drama of this momentous day.

ENTRANCE TO WORSHIP (Enter in Silence) Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:1–18 (Silence) Opening Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: The Light has come into the world. People: But the world loved darkness rather than light. Leader: Come, let us worship the Lord, who was obedient to death, even death on a cross. Entrance Prayer Choir: Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open unto the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee;through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. (by Richard Mudd) Leader: We know that Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, People: And to suffer death on a cross for our sake. Leader: Hear our prayers, O God, People: Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Commentary: As worshipers enter, the Tenebrae candles should be lit. The traditional arrangement would include fifteen taper candles in a triangular candle stand. Alternatively, fifteen thick candles may be arranged asymmetrically on stands or in the front of the worship space. In either case, the fourteen candles that will be extinguished may be purple and the fifteenth may be white, symbolizing the light of Christ. The sanctuary may be darkened. Purple and black fabrics that recall the overarching themes of Lent and Holy Week may be displayed in the sanctuary. The Psalm may be read from the back of the worship space, breaking the silence with a soft yet passionate reading. The Psalm may also be sung. Periods of silence may be added throughout the service. This early reprise of the opening silence establishes the meditative character of the service and allows time for meditation on the words of the opening reading. The reference to darkness and light—essential to the Tenebrae service—is prominent in each part of the service. The prayer may be spoken and/or sung. This example demonstrates how music may be used with a clearly identified liturgical function. PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD Sermon Hymn: "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High" stanza 1: All stanza 2: Men stanza 3: Women stanza 4: Choir omit stanza 5 stanza 6: All Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 52:13–53:12 New Testament Lesson: Hebrews 4:14–15; 5:7–9 Sermon Prayer Organ Chorale Prelude: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," (arr: Johann Gottfried Walther)

What language shall I borrow

to thank you dearest Friend, for this, your dying sorrow, your mercy without end? Lord, make me yours forever, a loyal servant true, and let me never, never outlive my love for you.

Commentary: The sermon hymns should be chosen to complement the theme of the sermon. It is advisable to choose a strong hymn at this point in the service and to accompany the hymn with strength. Ensuing hymns in the "Service of Shadows" will naturally be more reflective, creating a musical decrescendo that extends throughout the service. Other possible sermon hymns include "Lift High the Cross," "What Wondrous Love Is This," and "Hallelujah, What a Savior." In the hymn "O Love, How Deep" the stanza that refers to Easter should be omitted.

The Psalm has already been read and the Gospel reading is included in the following portion of the service, leaving as necessary only the reading of the Old and New Testament lessons. Like silence, instrumental music enhances the meditative spirit of the service. Hymn-based instrumental music focuses the attention of the worshiper on texts appropriate for the service. Such may be interspersed throughout the service and should be accompanied by the printed text of the hymns. THE SHADOWS Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives Scripture Reading: Luke 22:39–46 (Silence) Refrain: "Stay With Me," Jacques Berthier (Taizé) The people repeat the refrain, "Stay with me, remain here with me" several times; the cantor and choir will sing the verses. Commentary: The readings are chosen to follow the complete Passion account. See the appendix for readings from the other gospels. Readings may be read by several readers, with at least one voice reading narrative passages and other voices taking the roles of the various characters in the Passion account, reading all direct quotations (such as the words of Christ found in Luke 22:40, 42, and 46). Each reading may conclude with the words "The Word of the Lord" or "The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," to which the congregation may respond, "Thanks be to God" or "Praise be to you, O Christ." Alternatively, each reading may conclude with the words of Paul: "God proves his love for us in this: While we were yet sinners Christ died for us," to which the congregation may respond, "Thanks be to God." The repetition of the this text quickly becomes a dramatic refrain that suggests the significance of Christ's passion. During each period of silence, a member of the congregation, perhaps a dancer, moves to the candles at the front of the sanctuary, and extinguishes one or two candles. The number of candles will depend on the number of readings used. Each lesson may be followed by an appropriate hymn or anthem. Words not sung by all the people should be printed to guide each worshiper's meditation. Alternate hymns for the refrain include "Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow," and "Go to Dark Gethsemane." Jesus Is Arrested Scripture Reading: Luke 22:47–53 (Silence) Hymn: "Christ, the Life of All the Living" stanza 1: All stanza 2: Women stanza 3: All Commentary: It may not be possible to find familiar congregational hymns that correspond with each event in the Passion narrative. In such a case, an appropriate vocal solo or choral anthem maybe easier to find. Alternatively, an instrumental musical selection or more general Passion hymn may be used. Peter Disowns Jesus Scripture Reading: Luke 22:54–62 (Silence) Musical Reflection: "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended," (organ chorale prelude by Helmut Walcha) Hymn: "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended" stanza 1: All stanza 2: Men stanza 3: All stanza 4: All, without accompaniment Jesus Before Pilate and Herod Scripture Reading: Luke 22:63–23:12 (Silence) Hymn: "Go to Dark Gethsemane" (all sing stanzas 1 and 3) Jesus Is Sentenced Scripture Reading: Luke 23:13–25 (Silence) Spiritual: "He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word" Commentary: An alternate hymn is "A Purple Robe, a Crown of Thorns" Jesus Is Crucified Scripture Reading: Luke 23:26–43 (Silence) Hymn: "O Perfect Life of Love" Commentary: Alternate hymns include "There Is a Green Hill Far Away," "At the Cross, Her Station Keeping" (the Stabat Mater), "Lamb of God" (O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig), and "Beneath the Cross of Jesus." Jesus Dies Scripture Reading: Luke 23:44–46 (Silence) Hymn: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" stanza 1: All stanza 2: organ and dance interpretation stanza 3: All, without accompaniment Commentary: Following this lesson, all candles should be extinguished except for one, which represents the light of Christ. Alternate hymns include "O Perfect Life of Love," "Glory Be to Jesus," and "He Never Said a Mumbalin' Word." By this point in the service, all musical accompaniment should be minimized or removed to allow for quiet, meditative singing. Jesus Is Buried Scripture Reading: Luke 23:47–56a Spiritual: "Were You There" (arr. Robert Scholz) (Silence) Strepitus Hymn: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" Commentary: "Were You There" may be effectively sung by an unaccompanied solo voice from outside the worship space or from the back of the worship space. The final verse—"Were you there when God raised Him from the tomb"—may be omitted. Alternate hymns include "Worthy is the Lamb" and "Calvary" (alternate title, "Every Time I Think About Jesus"). Benediction Leader: May Jesus Christ, who for our sakes became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you. People: Amen. (People leave in silence) Commentary: After the hymn, the remaining candle should be removed from the sanctuary. It may be carried by any member of the congregation, including a liturgical dancer who may lift the candle high above his or her head and encircle the people before exiting the worship space. Silence should be observed throughout. The silence is broken with a loud, resounding noise (hence the Latin name strepitus, which means "crashing" or "rumbling"). The noise may be one striking sound, such as that made by clapping two boards together or—perhaps more effectively—an extended peal of sound that begins quietly and continues to increase in volume until it overwhelms the worshiper, such as that made by an firm roll on a suspended cymbal. This sound signifies the earthquake on Good Friday or may remind the worshipers more generally of the cataclysmic nature of Christ's sacrifice, without reference to the specific earthquake. Afterward the single candle may be brought back in to the sanctuary. Alternatively, the candle may be brought back in to the sanctuary on the Easter service, most appropriately at Easter Vigil. Alternate Scripture Readings The following texts may be divided into any number of readings. Eight readings allows for two candles to be extinguished after each of the first seven lessons, and the final candle to be removed following the eighth lesson. I. Readings from Matthew Matthew 26:31–46 Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial and Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:47–56 Jesus Is Arrested Matthew 26:57–68 Jesus Is Tried Before the Sanhedrin Matthew 26:69–75 Jesus Is Disowned by Peter Matthew 27:1–23 Judas Hangs Himself and Jesus Is Tried by Pilate Matthew 27:45–50 Jesus Dies Matthew 27:51–56 The Response to Jesus' Death II. Readings from Mark Mark 14:27–42 Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial and Prays in Gethsemane Mark 14:43–52 Jesus Is Arrested Mark 14:53–65 Jesus Is Tried Before the Sanhedrin Mark 14:66–72 Jesus Is Disowned by Peter Mark 15:1–15 Jesus Is Tried by Pilate Mark 15:16–32 Jesus Is Crucified Mark 15:33–37 Jesus Dies Mark 15:38–39 The Response to Jesus' Death