From: Ann K. Larson <alarson@one.net>
I mentioned a tenebrae service I designed based on the Seven Last Words. Someone asked about it--I don't know who--and I sent the service to the list. I haven't seen an acknowledgment of it (I think my earlier messages came back to me) so here it is.
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It's in four sections:
1. Welcome and explanation: printed on inside cover of bulletin. Not read out loud.
2. The reproaches and bidding prayer are traditional. I adapted (slightly) the version in the Lutheran Book of Worship minister's edition. (I have them typed out for anyone who doesn't have other access to them.)
3. Seven last words--a series of segments that include scripture reading, silent meditation, collect (with source indicated, fyi), verses of hymn. A candle is extinguished at the end of each segment.
4. Closing section--Psalm 51, darkness/strepitus, return of light, departure in silence.
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GOOD FRIDAY
Welcome to this evening's service. It includes several ancient Good Friday traditions. THE REPROACHES contrast God's goodness with the faithlessness of God's people. THE BIDDING PRAYER is a series of bids, silences, and petitions and is followed by the Lord's Prayer.
TENEBRAE is a Latin word that means "darkness" or "shadows." The service comes from the monastic tradition where, along with other daily worship, "Tenebrae" was the last service on the eves of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The original office was a series of lamentations from the Psalms or elsewhere in scripture. Tonight, instead of lamentations, you will hear portions of the Passion narrative from the Gospels. In keeping with the Tenebrae tradition, however, lights on the candelabra and in the church will gradually be extinguished until only the Christ Candle is left.
Then the Christ Candle will be removed from view, symbolizing the apparent victory of the powers of darkness at Jesus' death. The "strepitus," a loud noise during the time of darkness will suggest the earthquake at the moment Jesus' died. The return of the candle to its stand foreshadows the Resurrection. At this point, the service is over. Please leave in meditative silence when you are ready.
PRELUDE: Please use this time for private meditation.
The choirs, ministers and readers enter in silence. Please stand.
COLLECT Almighy God, we ask you to look with mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over tot he hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. AMEN (Prayer of the Day, Good Friday)
THE REPROACHES After each question, join in one of the following responses.
L: Holy God,
R: HOLY AND MIGHTY, HOLY AND IMMORTAL
ONE, HAVE MERCY AND HEAR US
OR
L: O my people,
R: WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU? OR IN WHAT HAVE I OFFENDED YOU?
TESTIFY AGAINST ME.
HYMN
THE BIDDING PRAYER: a long series of bids, silent meditaion and
petitions. Each petition ends
L: We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R: AMEN
THE LORD'S PRAYER
HYMN
A SERVICE OF TENEBRAE
The Seven Last Words of Christ
THE FIRST WORD
"Father forgive them, they know not what they do."
LESSON: Luke 23:13-38
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Almighty God, our redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your mes-sengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love. AMEN (5 Lent)
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes vv. 1-3
THE SECOND WORD
"Today you will be with me in Paradise"
LESSON: Luke 23:39-43
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you. Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service and that we may not fail or deny you in the hour of trial. AMEN (Tuesday, Holy Week)
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes v v 4-6
THE THIRD WORD
"Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother.""
LESSON: John 19:17-27
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ; you have sent your Son to show us your love and the way of life. Make us sincerely thankful for this gift and for your patience with our sins and sorrow. AMEN
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes v v 7-9
THE FOURTH WORD
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
LESSON: Matt. 27:45-49
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN (1 Lent)
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes v v
10-12
THE FIFTH WORD
"I thirst"
LESSON: John 19:28-29
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Merciful Lord, you sent your Son to be our peace. Help all who suffer pain or grief to find in him strength and peace, so that their trust in your promises may be re-newed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN (Svc of Word for Healing)
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes v v
13-15
THE SIXTH WORD
"It is finished"
LESSON: John 19:30
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: O God, your Son chose the path which led to pain before joy and the cross before glory. Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we come to the final joy and glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN (Monday, Holy Week)
HYMN #112 Jesus in thy Dying Woes v v
16-18
THE SEVENTH WORD
"Into thy hands, I commit my spirit."
LESSON: Luke 23:44-49
SILENT MEDITATION
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you carried our sins in your own body on the tree so that we might have life. May we and all who remember this day find new life in you now and in the world to come, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for-ever. AMEN (Good Friday)
PSALM 51 is read to the congregation. Following this, the Christ Candle is removed from sight and a time of silence observed. Then the "strepitus" is heard, a loud noise signifying the close of the tomb and the earthquake. The candle is returned to its stand, a foreshadowing of the Resurrection.
Worshipers leave the church in silence when they are ready.