8169 Perry Highway
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Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) | ||||||
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SERVICE OF TENEBRAE
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2007
7:30 p.m.
-THE CONGREGATION SHALL ENTER THE CHURCH IN SILENCE-
“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.”
(Luke 23:44-49, New International Version)
The crucifixion of Jesus highlights the suffering and abandonment of the Son. The onlookers emphasize the powerlessness of Jesus by challenging him to liberate himself from the cross. At the same time, they remind Christian readers that the cross is the source of salvation…Tradition often depicts Jesus as dragging the whole cross and falling under its weight. In fact, those sentenced to crucifixion carried only the cross bar… when Jesus was offered sour wine, it was probably used as a narcotic to dull the pain. Jesus’ refusal to drink the wine indicates that he was fully conscious throughout the crucifixion. He will not fall asleep at the crucial hour, as his disciples had done at Gethsemane. Jesus will die in full possession of his powers. Jesus is on the cross about six hours; since some
prisoners survived more than twenty-four hours, Jesus’ death came an unusually short time into his crucifixion. The writer, Mark, especially notes that everyone around Jesus taunted him. Members of the Sanhedrin participate in the mockery by renewing the challenge to Jesus to save himself. After three hours of darkness that begins at noon, Jesus’ death approaches. Jesus prays the opening words of Psalm 22:2. He appears on the cross to be abandoned even by God. The crowd still looks for a miraculous rescue – he saved others, will he save himself? With a shout “it is finished” Jesus dies and gives up his spirit to God. One of the surprises in the crucifixion scene is the dramatic confession by the centurion, “truly this was a righteous man.” All the other characters in the episode continue to act as they have from the beginning. The cross demonstrates divine power identified with the weak. Those who expect God to come and physically throw out the enemy are mistaken. Suffering, cruelty, wars, and their cost in innocent lives remain realities of human life. Disciples learn to find God at work in the sufferings of the present. They are not deterred by the mockery of those who think they have a false hope in God’s saving power. Dr. Pheme Perkins, Professor of New Testament
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
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SILENT PROCESSIONAL
*HYMN “Go to Dark Gethsemane” No. 97
Gracious God, on this night we gather to remember with love and tears the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ. Sometimes we would rather hide our faces from all that happened, and forget the awful price he paid for our sin. But together we give thanks that he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, he did not open his mouth. May we be ever grateful for Jesus and what he has done for us.
HYMN “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” No. 101
UNISON LITANY
Crucified Savior, like the early disciples we too know doubt and fear. We often follow at a distance or are swayed by crowd opinion. We often know the right but do not do it. You bid us to take up our cross and follow you. As we remember Good Friday events long ago, we are brought close to each other and feel your love, which holds us close. May we be ever grateful for Jesus and what he has done for us.
HYMN “Ah, Holy Jesus” No. 93
UNISON LITANY
Holy Spirit, be with us now. With clear vision we behold him who was cut off from the living, who knew no deceit in his mouth. Out of his anguish we would see light, believing that he makes many righteous. Because he poured out himself to death and was numbered with transgressors, he bore the sins of many and has made intercession for us all. Out of his death has come life and healing. May we be ever grateful for Jesus and what he has done for us.
HYMN “My Song Is Love Unknown” No. 76
Giver of Life, we give thanks for Jesus Christ, who died so that we might know life in all its fullness. He struggled in the Garden, wondering if there
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was an easier way. He broke bread in that upper room next to the one who would betray him. In each trial they tried to find a reason why he might be
guilty of some capital crime, yet he followed your will to the end. We give thanks for his gracious words from the cross, forgiving those who had
treated him so unjustly. We pray, as we would live, in the same name of the One whose power is shaped as a cross: Jesus, our Christ. Amen.
THE TENEBRAE
ANTHEM “Crucifixus” G. Young
He was wounded and He died there for me; he was wounded upon that dark tree. O my Savior, blessed Savior, Thou hast died there for me; Blessed Jesu, have mercy on me. “It is finished,” hear Him cry!
II. Reading: John 19:1-7 & Meditation Chris Brown
DUET “Pie Jesu” Webber
(from Requiem)
Christine Cherup, soprano; Leslie Scheuer, soprano
(sung in Latin)
Merciful Jesus, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.
III. Reading: John 19:8-12 & Meditation Sean Kelly
SOLO “O All Ye” Dubois
From The Seven Last Words of Christ
Dorothea Fisher, mezzo-soprano
O all ye who travel upon the highway, hearken to me, and behold me, was e’er sorrow like unto my sorrow. For the Lord Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me; Call me now no more Naomi, from today call me Mara.
IV. Reading: John 19:13-16 & Meditation Rev. Dr. Donald Ewing
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V. Reading: John 19:16b-22 & Meditation Chris Brown
ANTHEM “Three Lenten Scenes” David H. Williams
3) Calvary
Chancel Choir, Glen Wissner, baritone; Dorothea Fisher, mezzo-soprano
VI. Reading: John 19:23-27 & Meditation Sean Kelly
SOLO: “Were You There?” Spiritual
Jeannie Schott, flute
VII. Reading: John 19:28-30 & Meditation Rev. Dr. Donald Ewing
SOLO “What Wondrous Love is This” American Folk Hymn
Anne Linaberger, soprano
TOLLING OF THE BELL
THE TUMULT
PRAYER
BENEDICTION
We ask you to leave the sanctuary in silence
as you ponder the death of Christ our Lord
and await the resurrection. Amen.
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WE WISH TO THANK the members of the Chancel Choir, Dorothea Fisher, Glen Wissner, and Anne Linaberger, soloists and Jeannie Schott, flute for the music in this service of the last hours of Jesus on earth.
LIGHTS: Amanda Joos and Bryan Caswell
TOLLING OF THE BELL: Anna Sartori
ACOLYTES: Allison Reckless and Colin Parrish
EASTER SATURDAY REHEARSALS (APRIL 7TH ) in the sanctuary:
8:30 a.m. Brass rehearsal
9:30 a.m. Chancel choir, Northmont Belles
11:00 a.m. Confirmation class Sunrise service rehearsal
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8th:
7:15 a.m. Sunrise service led by the Confirmation class
7:45 a.m. Breakfast in Polley Fellowship Hall hosted by
Troop 335
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Festival services with Chancel choir, Northmont Belles, brass ensemble, kites and banners. Kids of the Kingdom and Kuyimba choirs will sing at 11:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school, church school classroom open
house/Easter egg hunt
12:00 p.m. Fellowship time sponsored by Reach Out
There will be no S.O.N. service this evening
THE STAFF AND OFFICERS of the church wish everyone present a blessed and joyous Easter.
TENEBRAE
The word itself means shadows or darkness. Such services were begun in the fifth century in Europe as a dramatic retelling of the passion of our Lord. This service is an adaptation of the medieval Tenebrae. Participating together, we experience the agony of the desertion of Christ by his disciples, then and now. We also gain a new appreciation of his suffering and sacrifice for us.
Twelve candles (twelve disciples) will be extinguished, one by one, representing the overwhelming darkness as the sins of the world combine against Jesus. The thirteenth candle, the Christ candle, is carried from the sanctuary, leaving us in total darkness. The light remains burning even though we cannot see it, just as God’s love cannot be extinguished. During the darkness, prayer is offered and a bell is tolled 33 times, once for each year of Christ’s life on earth. The tumult is heard on the organ signifying the earthquake.
The wooden candelabrum is called a “hearse” which is the ancient French word for the farm implement, the harrow, used to break up the soil in the spring of the year. In France a harrow was brought into the church, turned upside down, and its wooden spikes were replaced by candles. Our hearse was constructed by Elmer F. Fahrney, Jr.