May you continue to be blessed by God's movement in your lives over these Holy Days.
Joel
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
(I have often started with a Lord's Supper communion service for those interested prior to the service starting.)
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP/INVOCATION
O God, by the example of your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ, you taught us the greatness of true humility, and call
us to watch with him in his passion. Give us grace to serve one another in all
lowliness, and to enter into the fellowship of his suffering; in his name and
for his suffering; in his name and for his sake. Amen.
W.
E. Orchard, England, 20th Cent. Alt.
HYMN:
O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done.................................................................... #
287
TENEBRAE – THE SERVICE OF SHADOWS
Introduction
The
Darkness of Misunderstanding
Words in the Temple....................................................................................... Mark
11:15-18
Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer
for all the nations’?
But you have made it a den of robbers.”
And when the
chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill
him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his
teaching.
HYMN: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (vs 1, 2 & 4)........................................ #626
The
Darkness of Betrayal
Words in the Upper Room........................................................................ Matthew
26:20-28
When it was evening, he took his place with the
twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will
betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one
after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his
hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written
of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be
better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said,
“Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread,
and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take,
eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it
to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
CHOIR: Adoramus Te Christe
The
Darkness of Temptation
Words in the Garden............................................................................... Matthew
26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called
Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and
pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be
grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to
death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little further, he
threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this
cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the
disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not
stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the
time of trail; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he
went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass
unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping,
for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for
the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said
to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at
hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us
be going. See my betrayer is at hand.”
HYMN: Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs 1 & 2)......................................................... #290
The
Darkness of Injustice
Words of the Trail...................................................................................... Mark
14:55-64
Now the Chief priests and the whole council were
looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.
For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.
Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him say,
‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will
build another, not made with hands.’” But even on this point their testimony
did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have
you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But he was silent and
did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son
of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and
‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,’
and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why
do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your
decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.
HYMN: Ah, Holy Jesus (vs 1 & 2)........................................................................... # 289
The
Darkness of Denial
Words of the Courtyard................................................................................ Mark
14:66-72
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of
the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming
himself, she started at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from
Nazareth.” But he denied it,
saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went
out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing
him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again
he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter,
“Certainly you are one of them; for
you are a Galilean.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do
not know this man you are talking about.” At that moment the cock crowed for
the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the
cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
HYMN: What Wondrous Love Is This (vs 1, 2 & 3)........................................... #292
The
Darkness of Rejection
Words Before Pilate.................................................................................. Luke
23:13-24
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the
leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who
was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and
have not found this man guilty of any charges against him. Neither has Herod,
for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I
will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this
fellow! Release Baraabas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison
for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate,
wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting,
“Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he
done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore
have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with
loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate
gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.
CHOIR: WHEN JESUS WEPT
The
Darkness of Crucifixion
Words on the Cross.................................................................................... Luke
23:33-46
When they came to the place that is called The
Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one
on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what
they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people
stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “he saved others;
let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers
also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are
the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him,
“This is the King of the Jews.”
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept
deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But
the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the
same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned to justly, for
we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing
wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He
replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the
whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the
curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice,
said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he
breathed his last.
