Maundy Thursday Love Feast And Tenebrae
Thursday, March 29, 2018
6:00 pm
On Maundy Thursday, March 29, we gather in the Family Life Center at 6:00 p.m. (note change of time) for Love Feast and Communion to remember and enact the events and lessons of Jesus and his disciples in the Upper Room. In this Love Feast we examine our relationship with our Lord and with each other, eat the agape meal, wash the feet or hands of another, and celebrate bread and cup communion.
A Tenebrae Service will be held immediately following the Love Feast and Communion. The word “tenebrae” is Latin for “shadows.” The purpose of the service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. We start that service in candlelight. There are as many candles as there are Scripture readings, plus a white Christ candle. After each Scripture passage is read a candle is extinguished, until only the Christ candle remains. Then, after the last scripture passage is read the Christ candle is put out, leaving us in total darkness—a powerful experience, reminding us of the death of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday. At this point the service ends. There is no benediction and, after the lights are turned up enough for us to see, the people leave in silence.
Families, if you feel the Tenebrae service is not appropriate for your family, please leave quietly at this time.
There will be no Good Friday Service this year.
As we journey through Lent to Holy Week may you draw nearer to God through Jesus, the Christ, as we worship together in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Consider inviting a friend or family member to come with you to worship during this holy season of the year for the blessings it offers.