Welcome – Good evening and welcome to our Good Friday Tenebrae service.
Tenebrae is a Latin term meaning “shadows, darkness.” This service is an ancient form of worship dating from the fourth century. During this service the sanctuary is gradually darkened and the seven candles are gradually extinguished to remind us of the “seven words,” or phrases, Jesus spoke from the cross, and the three hours of darkness which blanketed the earth during Christ’s crucifixion as He suffered the punishment of being forsaken by God for our sins. The darkness of Good Friday prepares us for the brilliant dawning of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.
This is a service of meditation and silence, commemorating what is the most solemn day of the church year. We will hear Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering Servant and the account of the passion of our Lord. At the end of the service pause to reflect on the unsurpassed, divine love which caused the Son of God to sacrifice Himself for us.