I (Pastor Clark) am excited for our Tenebrae/Communion Service on Maundy Thursday, April 2^nd at 6:30pm.  Maundy Thursday is the night before Good Friday; the night when Jesus ate his last Passover supper with His disciples and where He instituted the first communion service. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word for “commandment,” which Jesus gave when He told His disciples that He was leaving them “a new commandment,” recorded in John 13:34-35 (NIV)  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

The service will begin with sharing the elements of communion together followed by the service of Tenebrae. The Tenebrae service is an ancient tradition in Christian history, being celebrated for generations. Tenebrae is once again a Latin word meaning “shadows” or “darkness.”    As scriptures detailing the events of Jesus’ passion are read, the lights are dimmed and candles are extinguished until at the end of the service, the room is completely dark.  The purpose of the service is to commemorate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of Thursday night and Friday when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by His disciples, tried by the Jewish religious leaders, beaten by the Romans and crucified. Before the people leave the service in silence- remembering the suffering of the Savior, one candle is re-lit as a symbol of the hope that Easter Sunday is coming.  There is no closing prayer; the service is left unfinished, because the story isn't over until Easter morning where we will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and victory over sin and death on Sunday, April 5^th at 10:00 am.

Tenebrae Service Outline:

·       Candle’s lit

·       Hymn

·       Communion

·       Tenebrae

·       Scripture reading

·       Closing Hymn

Pastor Clark Williman