Tenebrae

 

Passion Week Service
Thursday, April 18th, 6:30pm at the church

 

The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness,” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once exclusive to the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of Holy Week worship for the entire church. This year, we will join Christians around the world (and from generations past) in this remembrance of Christ’s death on Maundy Thursday.

 

At its core, the Tenebrae service is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Scripture readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays His sorrow, and the power of darkness suggests the drama of this momentous occasion. As lights are extinguished and silence fills the room, we will ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death, remember the horrific nature of His sacrifice, and anticipate a future joy that can only be fully appreciated after experiencing complete despair.

 

Like those gathered together for that “last supper” with Jesus, we will begin with a fellowship meal, only to find an eternal significance to our time reclined at the table. Join us as we take a unique look at the one event in the history of the world that afforded redemption to God’s people.

 

Families with young children should consider how their child will respond to the dramatic use of darkness and the somber nature of this event.