Good Friday Service of Tenebrae
Tenebrae (Latin for "darkness") is an ancient Christian tradition that takes place in the days leading up to Easter. This somber Good Friday service is characterized by gradually diminishing light to symbolize the darkness of Jesus' death and the hopelessness in a world without God. In years past, the service has concluded in darkness and worshipers then leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the coming resurrection and the festival service of Easter morning.
This year we gather in the shadows, as it were, surrounded by the darkness of COVID-19. Despite this virus' impact on our lives, our families and our communities, we are children, not of darkness, but of the light. There is a light that saves us and we can come together in spirit to ponder the impacts of a world gone dark knowing that the light will return- that Sunday's coming!
If you'd like, you can recreate aspects of a Tenebrae service at home by arranging 7 candles to be extinguished one at a time as the service progresses. If you don't have candles, you can begin with all the lights on so that the room is as bright as possible and you can dim the lights after each prayer so that you are left to end the service in darkness.
The video will be posted here Friday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m.
A Good Friday message from Pastor Cress Darwin. Special thanks to Dr. Julia Harlow, Lee Lingle, Clarissa Rider and Joel Dettweiler for contributing haunting choral music (at safe social distance).
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." - Luke 23:24
PRAYER
Dear Lord, though we would that you have forgiven us, this truth needs to penetrate our hearts in new ways. Help us to know with fresh conviction that we are fully and finally forgiven, not because of anything we have done, but because of what you have done for us. May we live today as forgiven people, opening our hearts to you, choosing not to sin because the power of sin has been broken. Amen.
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:43
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, how we wonder at your grace and mercy! When we cry out to you, you hear us. When we ask you to remember us when you come into your kingdom, you offer the promise of paradise. Your mercy exceeds anything we might imagine. It embraces us, encourages us, it heals us. O Lord, though our situation differs from the criminal who cried out to you, we are so like him – in need of mercy. Today we live, trusting you and you alone. Our lives, now and in the world to come, are in your hands. And so we pray: Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom! Jesus, remember us today as we seek to live within your kingdom! Amen.
“Woman, here is your son.” - Mark 19:26
PRAYER
Lord, the presence of your mother at the cross breaks our hearts. You are dying for the love of your created, yet you are also fully human -- a son with a mother. Thank you for loving us to your death. Because you have given us all that you are, we give you our praise, our love, our hearts . . . all that we are. All praise be to you, dear Jesus, fully God and fully human, Savior of the world. Amen.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Mark 15:34
PRAYER
Lord Jesus God, though we can never fully grasp the horror of your isolation, every time we read this phrase we are overtaken with gratitude. We thank you for how you loved us. What can we do but to offer ourselves to you in praise and in gratitude? Thank you for loving us so.
“I am thirsty.” John 19:28
PRAYER
Lord God, we acknowledge the searing thirst you endured as you assumed our humanity that you might take away our sin. Sweet Jesus, we, too, are thirsty for the new wine of your kingdom to flood our souls that we might be refreshed by your living water. We yearn for your Spirit to fill us once again. Amen.
“It is finished.” - John 19:30
PRAYER
Jesus, God - You did it. You finished that for which you had been sent, faithful in life, faithful in death. You accomplished that which no one else could, you bore the sin of the world upon your sinless shoulders. All praise be to you, gracious Lord. All praise be to you, dear Jesus, for redeeming us! Alleluia! Amen.
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46
PRAYER
Gracious Lord, even as you once entrusted your Spirit into the hands of the Father, so we give our lives to you. We trust you and you alone. We submit to your sovereignty and will live for your glory. Because of your love we no longer despair. In your strength and compassion we live in hope. Amen.