View Full Service on YouTube
Tenebrae is a Latin word that means "Darkness." The Tenebrae service is a reading of the Passion account from John's Gospel, broken down into 16 readings, and after each of the first fourteen readings a candle is extinguished until the entire sanctuary is clothed in darkness. This represents the light of Christ being extinguised on the cross, and it also represents the three hours of darkness that the people experienced as He hung on the cross. After the 15th reading, a loud noise is made, symbolizing the earthquake that occurred at the death of Jesus. It is a somber and solemn service of contemplation. We have attempted to recreate the service in its entirety here, and hope that you will be blessed in its re-enactment.
Entrance - Gathering
The Call to Worship:
God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,
and we loved darkness rather than light.
Hymn:
Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed (UMH #294)
Opening prayer:
Maundy Thursday (UMH #283)
The Passion of Jesus Christ
Sixteen readings, after each is extinguised one candle until the sanctuary is in "Darkness" (Latin: Tenebrae)
Sending Forth
Hymn:
Were You There (UMH #288)
Dismissal with Blessing
All depart in silence.
Recorded at Ebenezer UMC on April 4, 2020 (Originally published April 9, 2020)
S.D.G.
S5E27: We Preach the Gospel (Who We Are pt. 2)
S8E21: Enter Into the Joy (”There” Is NOW! pt. 2)
S5E26: We Believe the Bible (Who We Are pt. 1)
S11E17: By Our Service (Five Things pt. 4)
S8E19: These Are They (All Saints Day 2020)
Lectionary Readings for Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 26), Year A
S5E25: All For God’s Glory Alone (Five Solas Pt. 5)
S11E16: By Our Gifts (Five Things pt. 3)
Lectionary Readings for All Saints Day, Year A
S8E18: God of Vision (The Attributes of God pt. 5)
Lectionary Readings for Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 25), Year A
S5E24: Grace Alone (Five Solas pt. 4)
S11E15: By Our Presence (Five Things pt. 2)
S8E17: God of Glory (The Attributes of God pt. 5)
Lectionary Readings for Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24), Year A
S5E23: In Christ Alone (Five Solas pt. 3)
S2E23: By Our Gifts (Five Promises pt. 4)
Lectionary Readings for Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23), Year A
S5E22: Faith Alone (Five Solas pt. 2)
S11E14: By Our Prayers (Five Things pt. 1)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)