We will gather on April 17th at 7:00 pm to remember the night Jesus had his last meal with the disciples and his sacrifice for our sins. The service will begin with Confession and Holy Communion. The Confirmation Class and their Faith Partners lead us through the scriptures.
Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “commandment.” In the act of washing the Apostles’ feet, Jesus gives them the commandment to “love and serve one another as I have loved you.”
The Service of Tenebrae is an adaptation of a fourth-century service traditionally observed on Thursday of Holy Week. The Latin word, Tenebrae, means shadows or darkness. The service moves from light to darkness, the candles being extinguished to symbolize the denial of the disciples and friends of Jesus. The darkness also symbolizes the darkening of the world as Jesus, the light of the world, was leaving it. Finally, upon his death, the Christ candle is extinguished.
Silence is observed as we contemplate the shock, despair, gloom, and sadness of that day and night long ago… and their meaning for our lives today. The service is phrased in words of scripture, which, together with the music, speak to us of our Lord.
As each light is extinguished, let us be aware of the many ways we have denied Christ in our own lives, that the darkness of the cross might be made real for us today. As we leave this time of worship in silence, we are called to leave our moments of denial and our experiences of death at the foot of the cross, that the crucified person of Jesus Christ might share the weight of these burdens, and the power of the Holy Spirit might transform us into a new people, radiating with resurrection life.
You can find the bulletin here.