Bulletin Date: March 27, 2013 4:00 am
A Service of Tenebrae
Wednesday in Holy Week
March 27, 2013
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Catherine D. Hicks
Prelude Ye Banks and Ye Braes
St Columba, arr. Mary Radspinner
Marilyn Newman, Harp
Opening Hymn What wondrous love is this H 439
The Shadow of Betrayal
First Reading Luke 22:21-22
Psalm 69 BCP 679
Congregational Hymn Ah, holy Jesus H 158
The Shadow of the Agony of Spirit
Second Reading Luke 22:39-44
Psalm 70 BCP 682
Congregational Hymn Go to dark Gethsemane H 171
The Shadow of Denial
Third Reading Luke 22:54-62
Psalm 27 BCP 617
Reading from Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot
The Shadow of Accusation
Fourth Reading Luke 23:13-24
Psalm 88 BCP 712
Congregational Hymn To mock your reign H 170
The Shadow of Crucifixion and Humiliation
Fifth Reading Luke 23:26-43
Psalm 22 BCP 610
Violin Solo Abendsegan E. Humperdinck
Helmut Linne von Berg, violin
The Shadow of Death
Sixth Reading Luke 23:44-49
Psalm 90 BCP 717
Congregational Hymn When I survey the wondrous cross H 474
(verses 1-3)
The Christ Candle is Removed
The Shadow of Burial
Seventh Reading Luke 23:50-56
Isaiah 38:10-20
Hymn Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
(Crystal Pannell and Nancy Long)
Christ for us became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the Name which is above every name.
Silence
Psalm 51:1-18 BCP 656
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross.
Nothing further is said, but a noise is made, and the remaining candle is brought from its hiding place and replaced on the stand.
By its light, we depart in silence.
Concerning the Service of Tenebrae
“The name ‘Tenebrae’ (the Latin word for ‘darkness’ or ‘shadows’) has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services (Matins and Laud) of the last three days of Holy Week, which in medieval times came to be celebrated on the preceding evenings.”
“The most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of our Lord, remains. Toward the end of the service this candle is hidden, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a loud noise is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection, the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.”
From The Book of Occasional Services, 1994
Our service tonight is a modern version of the traditional Tenebrae service. This service includes readings from the Gospel according to Luke. The Psalms, which Jesus knew and quoted, are read in response to the events described in the gospel. Instead of the traditional fifteen candles, we will only use seven candles for this abbreviated service.
Other Holy Week Services
Thursday, March 29th— 5PM. A First Century Passover Haggadah and covered dish dinner. 7 PM Maundy Thursday Service. We focus on the institution of Holy Eucharist, given to us by Jesus at the Last Supper, the gift of love in the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. At the end of the service we follow Jesus & the disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane as the altar is stripped.
Friday, March 30th —7PM. Good Friday Service. This service is a time of prayer and reflection on own sinfulness as we meditate on Christ’s passion and death. A powerful visual image for this service is the large wooden cross which will be brought into the church by the acolyte and that towers above us throughout the service as it rests on the altar, a symbol of God’s love and sacrifice for us.
Saturday, March 30th — 7th Community Dinner. 2pm-4pm. Fire House
Sunday, March 31st — 7AM. Port Royal Sunrise Service at the Longs
Sunday, March 31st —11AM. Festive Easter Service.
Tenebrae
A Service of Shadows
March 27, 2013
7pm
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church