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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.
S8E16: God of Justice (The Attributes of God pt. 4)
Lectionary Readings for Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 22), Year A
S5E21: Scripture Alone (Five Solas pt. 1)
S11E13: Winning Souls to Christ (A People Called Methodist pt. 4)
S11E12: Meeting Together (A People Called Methodist pt. 3)
S8E15: God of Mercy (The Attributes of God pt. 3)
S5E20: A Gospel-Worthy Life (Philippians 1:21-30)
S2E17: Of One Heart and Mind
S8E14: God of Abundance (The Attributes of God pt. 2)
Lectionary Readings for Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 20), Year A
S5E19: Forgiveness
S2E15: Respect and Mutual Love (Theology for Ministry pt. 12)
S8E13: God of Power (The Attributes of God pt. 1)
Lectionary Readings for Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 19), Year A
S11E11: Three Simple Rules (A People Called Methodist pt. 2)
S8E12: Give Thanks (The Gospel-Worthy Life pt. 9)
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S5E17: Christian Living (Riches in Romans pt. 11)
S2E13: The Heart of the Matter (Theology for Ministry pt. 12)
S11E10: True Church, Genuine Love (A People Called Methodist pt. 1)
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