A Combined Tenebrae and Seven Last Words Good Friday Service

Idea

Tenebrae, a Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows,” is a service that moves from full light in a sanctuary and ends in total darkness, signifying the death of the Light of the World—Jesus—on Good Friday. In this variation incorporating the Seven Sayings of the Cross, the platform becomes more stark and dark as participants depart and extinguish a candle.

Preparation

• Set up seven candles on a Communion table at the center of the sanctuary. Six purple candles should encircle a single white candle in the center.
• A six-person worship team should serve, one being the lead vocalist, who will sing acapella alone for one stanza at the end.
• Seven readers should be selected to read one of the seven sayings and pray as indicated below.
• At opening of the service, a designated person walks down the center aisle and lights the candles.
• The service can be exclusively focused on tenebrae or added at the end of a more traditional service.
• Communion is not done in this service.

Conducting the Tenebrae Portion of the Service

Following the pastor’s message, participants move into position. Worship team on platform and Seven Sayings’ readers in front row. Reader one begins. Depending on lighting in sanctuary, each reading should end with an additional light turned after the extinguishing of the candle. The last reader should read with only the single white Christ candle in the center lit.

The First Word and Prayer—Reader One

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Reader One Prayer

Almighty God, to whom your crucified Son prayed for the forgiveness of those who did not know what they were doing, grant that we too may be included in that prayer. Whether we sin out of ignorance or intention, be merciful to us and grant us your acceptance and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, our suffering Savior. Amen.

Reader One is seated.

Worship Team sings "Were You There" stanza one.
Worship Team Member One departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

The Second Word and Prayer— Reader Two

Truly I tell you, "Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Reader Two Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, in your agony you showed compassion to a man who recognized his sinfulness and your holiness. You have him the gift of eternal life. We thank you for that same indescribable gift to us. Help us to show such compassion to the lost so that they may to dwell in paradise with you. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Reader Two is seated. "Were You There" Stanza Two with remaining Worship Team members.
Worship Team Member Two departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

The Third Word and Prayer— Reader Three

“Woman, here is your son,” . . . “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

Reader Three Prayer

O blessed Savior, who in your hours of greatest suffering expression compassion for your mother and made arrangements for her care, grant that we who seek to follow your example may show our concern for the needs of others, reaching out to provide for those who suffer in our human family. Hear this prayer for mercy's sake. Amen.

Reader Three is seated. "Were You There" Stanza Three with remaining Worship Team members.
Worship Team Member Three departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

The Fourth Word and Prayer—Reader Four

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Reader Four Prayer

Almighty God, who forsook your Son upon the Cross showing the world your judgment upon human sin and guilt, grant us, upon hearing his cry, the grace to know and believe that we will never be forsaken, that he is present with us even to the end of the age. For the sake of Jesus Christ who bore our sins on the cross. Amen.

Reader Four is seated.

"Were You There" Stanza Four with remaining Worship Team members.
Worship Team Member Four departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

The Fifth Word and Prayer— Reader Five

"I am thirsty." (John 19:28)

Reader Five Prayer

O blessed Savior, whose lips were dry and whose throat was parched, grant us the water of life that we who thirst after righteousness may find it quenched by your love and mercy, leading us to bring this same relief to others. Amen.

Reader Five is seated.

"Were You There" Stanza Five with remaining Worship Team members.
Platform lights off. Only spotlight on pulpit remains.
Worship Team Member Five departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

The Sixth Word and Prayer— Reader Six

"It is finished." (John 19:30)

Reader Six Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work that you were sent to do, enable us by your Holy Spirit to be faithful to our call. Grant us strength bear our crosses and endure our sufferings, even unto death. Enable us to live and love so faithfully that we also become good news to the world, joining your witness, O Jesus, in whose name we pray.

Reader Six is seated.

"Were You There" Stanza One acapella by lead vocalist
Spotlight on pulpit off.
Worship Team Member Six (lead vocalist) departs from the platform and extinguishes a candle.

(Final reading will be done without light on pulpit, so reader may memorize, have an e-reader, or use a small flashlight.)

The Seventh Word and Prayer—Reader Seven

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46

Reader Seven Prayer

Father, into whose hands your Son Jesus Christ commended his spirit, grant that we too, following his example, may in all of life and at the moment of our death entrust our lives into your faithful hands of love. In the name of Jesus who gave his life for us all.

Reader Seven departs from the platform and extinguishes the Christ Candle (white in center).

Wait 10 seconds, and then display a slide with instructions below in black background, white text:

The service has ended.

Please depart the sanctuary in silence.

References:

Robert E. Webber, editor. The Services of the Christian Year. Volume 5 in The Complete Library of Christian Worship (Nashville, TN: StarSong Publishing Group, 1994), 356-358.