Tenebrae program

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth—that you also may believe.

For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken. The Christ candle is taken away or extinguished. A loud noise is made by a cymbal or other means. The last section is read in darkness. After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the religious authorities, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.

Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.

They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

JOHN — The room remains darkened with only illumination necessary for safety. The room now remains barren until the Easter Vigil. The final hymn and Dismissal may be omitted to be a sign of waiting for the coming resurrection and to show the essential unity between the services of the Great Three Days.

Go in peace. May Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you this night and for ever. Download Word Document. Used by permission of Dr. Charlesworth, who extends permission to Discipleship Ministries to publish his translation, and to all end users of this version to make copies as necessary for use in worship.

This service may be used either at noon or in the evening of Good Friday. It is preferable that there are no paraments, banners, flowers, or deco.

On this night Christians commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet Jo. Greetings If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Brahms Savior of the Nations, Come J. Sometime the language of poetry serves well as an introduction to the Service of Shadows, or even as a response to a Scripture reading.

Here are some fitting poems for Tenebrae:. For more resources about the Tenebrae Service, read these articles in Reformed Worship:. Join our mailing list Home Resources Resource Library. The prayers are written for secondary school pupils and may need rewriting for younger children. Seven readings and the liturgy set out below with a large congregation has a running time of comfortably under 1-hour.

If you use this liturgy of Tenebrae, please do let us know how you got on, what you adapted, and, if possible, share any rewrites or ideas you used. This is how the resources on this website are developed for the benefit of all. Historical Note Tenebrae was the celebration of the liturgical hours of Matins and Lauds on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday although often celebrated publically on the preceding evenings. With the revision of Holy Week, Tenebrae disappeared.

If you wish to have a procession to begin the liturgy, a suitable hymn is needed. Alternatively, you could begin simply with the priest, or other presider, in place. Again, a hymn may gather the community together. But starting in silence is also effective and different from the usual liturgy.

If you have a procession, you may wish to bring up the seven lit candles and place them on the front of the altar. Or they can already be in place.

It is suggested you use large candles. The introduction is important. It could be read by one or several readers. Read slowly and reflectively. It is designed to focus attention and create calm. After each reading, a pupil should come forward and extinguish one candle. Max Reger. People: Amen.

Leader: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. People: For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

People: And also with you.