Tenebrae, from the Latin word for “shadows,” has been observed in the church of Jesus Christ since the fourth century, usually on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday but occasionally on Holy Saturday. Traditionally such services were a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Thursday’s Tenebrae centered on the Last Supper and betrayal; Friday’s on Christ’s judgment, crucifixion, and death; and Saturday’s on Christ’s burial and the hope of his resurrection. During these services, candles were arranged on a triangular candelabrum, and psalms were read followed by a choral response. After each reading, a candle was extinguished until only the white candle, often called the Christ candle, remained burning to symbolize the anticipated resurrection. At the close of the service, the Christ candle was extinguished and then reignited as the people left in silence.
The Tenebrae service on Good Friday became a cherished tradition at Hope Christian Reformed Church (Oak Forest, Illinois) beginning in the early 1990s and continuing through the 2000s. It was particularly moving to have the sanctuary rearranged around tables in remembrance of the Last Supper. I was especially blessed to work with my students with developmental disabilities to prepare the sanctuary for the service. Turning off all the lights as the final candle was extinguished and then leaving the sanctuary in silence was especially moving. My hope is that this service might give liturgical committees or worship planners some inspiration to try such a service of their own.
Prelude
“Introduction” from The Seven Last Words of Our Savior on the Cross Haydn, arr. by William Phemister
Service of the Upper Room
Reading
They waited in the old familiar place—
The upper room—sacred to memory—
The Master’s friends, who shuddered now to face
Cross-shadowed days to come, and hopelessly,
Their voices hushed, and heads bowed low in grief,
With hearts that beat a never-ceasing cry,
From depths that held despair beyond belief,
They flung their doubt to the unanswered
“Why?”
They waited . . . while His Spirit touched them there—
A living flame of courage, vision’s breath,
That annihilation never knows, and where
Crumbles to dust the vanquished power of death.
We, who have lost so much—disconsolate—
Let us go to the upper room . . .
And wait.
—“The Upper Room,” by Ida Norton Munson, copyright unknown
Congregational Song: “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” (st. 1, 2, 5) Gertmenian
The Lord’s Supper
The Institution: Luke 22:7–20
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Communion
Cello Solo: “Adagio” from the Toccata in C Major for Organ, by J. S. Bach
The Acclamation
Congregational Song: “Glory Be to the Father” Traditional
Service of Shadows
Introduction to the Service of Shadows
My God, my God, why . . . did he have to be forsaken?
My God, my God, why . . . did he have to die?
Tonight we will prayerfully ask these questions.
Tonight we will prayerfully listen for answers.
We will listen for the answers at the foot of the cross.
We will listen to the words Jesus speaks.
We will listen to these words of raw honesty.
We will listen to these words that gush forth in grace.
We will listen . . . watch . . . and then leave this place in silence.
The First Word
“Woman, here is your son. . . . Here is your mother” (John 19:26–27).
Shadow of Betrayal
Music based on Lamentations 1:12
Choir: “O Vos Omnes” Pablo Casals
Alternate Congregational Song: “My Song Is Love Unknown” Crossman
A Litany for Good Friday Based on Lamentations 1:12
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look, and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.
The Lord says: My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you?
I led you from slavery to freedom, but you led your Savior to the cross.
I brought you out of Egypt, but you handed me over to the high priests.
Will you answer me?
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you?
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud, but you led me to Pilate’s court.
I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me.
Can you answer me?
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you?
I gave you a royal scepter, but you gave me a crown of thorns.
I raised you to the height of majesty, but you raised me high on a cross.
Won’t you answer me?
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you?
I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
For you I struck down the kings of Canaan, but you pierced your Savior with a lance.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal One, have mercy upon us.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him.
If we endure, we shall also reign with him.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
By your cross you have redeemed the world.
Congregational Song: “There Is a Redeemer” Green
Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:47–49
The Second Word
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
[The first candle is extinguished.]
Shadow of Accusation
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:1–7
Congregational Song: “What Wondrous Love” (st. 1, 2) Anonymous
Scripture Reading
Reader 1: Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him,
Reader 2: Are you the king of the Jews?
Reader 1: Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Pilate asked him,
Reader 2: Don’t you hear how many things they are accusing you of?
Reader 1: But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge, to the great amazement of the governor. Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them:
Reader 2: Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called the Christ?
Reader 1: For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message:
Reader 3: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Reader 1: But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Reader 2: Which of the two do you want me to release to you?
People: Barabbas!
Reader 2: What shall I do, then, with Jesus, who is called Christ?
People: Crucify him!
Reader 2: Why? What crime has he committed?
People: Crucify him!
Reader 1: When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying,
Reader 2: I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility.
People: Let his blood be on us and our children!
Reader 1: Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
—based on Matthew 27:11–26
The Third Word
“Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
[The second candle is extinguished.]
Shadow of Ridicule
Reading
“Show us a miracle,” we said.
The double pair of nail-holes bled.
The rose of thorn-pricks ringed his head.
“Show us a miracle,” we pleaded,
And almost feared. Suppose God heeded
Our giggling plea, and interceded?
The ninth hour came. No God appeared.
He hung there limp and neatly speared.
Why should a helpless God be feared?
—”Psalm 22:7–8,” by Chad Walsh in The Psalm of Christ: Forty Poems on the Twenty-second Psalm, © 1982 Chad Walsh estate. Reprinted by permission.
Congregational Song: “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended” (st. 1, 2) Heermann
The Fourth Word
“I am thirsty” (John 19:28).
[The third candle is extinguished.]
Shadow of Pain
Responsive Reading
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer; by night I am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, and not a human, scorned by humankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
“He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him!”
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast.
From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Do not be far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me;
they have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to deliver me.
Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of wild oxen.
—based on Psalm 22:1–21
Music Based on Matthew 26:36–42
Choir: “Thy Will Be Done” Courtney
Alternate Congregational Songs
- “O the Agonizing Prayer” Mackellar(Sung to TEBBEN or NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND. Alternatively, double the meter and sing to DEPTH OF MERCY or MARTYN.)
- “You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd” Dunstan
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:27–30
The Fifth Word
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
[The fourth candle is extinguished.]
Shadow of Destruction
Reading
Reader 1: Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross
To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss,
And yet not weep?
Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;
Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon—
I, only I.
Yet give not o’er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.
—“Good Friday” by Christina Rossetti, Public Domain
Reader 2: About noon, darkness fell across the entire land, lasting until three o’clock that afternoon. Then Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Some of the people standing there thought he was calling for Elijah. So one man ran and got a sponge and filled it with sour wine and held it up to him on a stick. “Let’s see if Elijah will come and take him down!” he said.
—Mark 15:33–36, TLB
Congregational Song: “Calvary” (st. 1, 3)Spiritual
The Sixth Word
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
[The fifth candle is extinguished.]
Shadow of Crucifixion
Reading
Reader 1: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, The Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him white vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
—Luke 23:33–36
Reader 2: Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help, my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore what I did not steal. . . .
May those who seek you not be put to shame because of me;
God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.
I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;
for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. . . .
Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. . . .
Do not hide your face from your servant
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. . . .
You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.
They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
—Psalm 69:1–4, 6b–9, 14, 17, 19–21
Congregational Song: “Now Behold the Lamb” Franklin
Reading
Reader 3: It was not the Jews, Lord Jesus, who crucified you,
Nor the traitors who dragged you to the law,
Nor the contemptuous who spit in your face
Nor those who bound you, and hit you full of wounds,
And it was not the soldiers who with evil hands
Lifted up the reed, or the hammer,
Or set that cursed wood on Golgotha,
Or cast lots and gambled for your robe;
It is I, O Lord, it is I who have done it,
I am the heavy tree that overburdened you,
I am the rough bands that bound you,
The nail, the spear, and the cords that whipped you,
The bloodied crown that tore your head:
All this happened, alas! for my sins.
—“He Bore Our Griefs,” by Jacob Revius, tr. Charles D. Tate
The Seventh Word
“It is finished” (John 19:30).
[The sixth candle is extinguished.]
Choir: “’Tis Finished” based on the tune MUNICH, from Christian Psalmody (1815), arr. Shaw/Parker
Alternate Congregational Song: “What Wondrous Love (Psalm 22)” (st. 1) Anon
Shadow of Death
Reading: “My God, My God, Look Upon Me”
And God looked down at God that day,
And God looked up and tried to pray.
He prayed to nothing he could see,
“Father,” he said, “look down at me.”
It was the strangest of his days.
He could not see the Father’s gaze.
He could not hear the Father speak.
He felt his own lips growing weak.
He saw the brightness drain from the sky.
He saw the moon darken and die.
He saw the soldiers playing dice.
He told a thief of Paradise.
He gave a mother to a son.
He knew and said the day was done.
He drank the darkness, and he said,
“Into thy hand,” and he was dead.
—“My God, My God, look upon me,” by Chad Walsh in The Psalm of Christ: Forty Poems on the Twenty-second Psalm, © 1982 Chad Walsh estate. Reprinted by permission.
[The Christ candle is extinguished, then relit as the people leave in silence.]