TENEBRAE. An Order of Holy Communion. Maundy Thursday March 28, :30 PM. Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church Whitinsville, Massachusetts

Transcription

1 TENEBRAE An Order of Holy Communion Maundy Thursday March 28, :30 PM Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church Whitinsville, Massachusetts

2 A solemn observance of the Lord s Supper, known as Tenebrae, was first celebrated in the fourth century. The word Tenebrae means darkness or shadows. In this service, eight candles are gradually extinguished, symbolizing the flight and denial of the disciples and friends of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. A ninth candle, symbolizing Christ, remains lighted throughout the service; the light of Christ can never be extinguished. In that light we find forgiveness and fellowship in communion with our Lord. Prelude: Were You There? arr. Ham The Wonderful Cross/ Near the Cross/ Beneath the Cross of Jesus arr. Larson THE VIGIL OF DARKNESS The congregation stands. Processional Hymn: Beneath the Cross of Jesus Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land; A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way, From the burning of the noon-tide heat And the burden of the day. Upon the cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me; And from my stricken heart with tears Two wonders I confess, The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place: I ask no other sunshine than the Sunshine of his face; Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss; My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the cross. Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1872 alt Tune: Frederick C. Maker, 1881 Please remain standing for the Call to Worship, Prayer of the Day, and recitation of the Apostles Creed. 1

3 Call to Worship Isaiah 53 Pastor: He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. People: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. Prayer of the Day Almighty Father, whose Son, on the night in which he was betrayed, instituted the Sacrament of his body and blood; mercifully grant that we may receive this meal in remembrance of his sacrificial death, and that in these holy mysteries we may hold fast to the promise of eternal life, through the same Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Apostles Creed I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe a holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. The congregation is seated. 2

4 THE SERVICE OF CANDLES The First Candle The Darkness of Passover Scripture Reading Exodus 12 The congregation remains seated. Hymn: There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there have I, as vile as he, Washed all my sins away: Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away; And there have I, as vile as he, Washed all my sins away. E er since by faith I saw the stream Your flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die: And shall be till I died, and shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die. Dear dying Lamb, your precious blood Shall never lose its pow r, Till all the ransomed church of God Be saved to sin no more: Be saved to sin no more, be saved to sin no more; Till all the ransomed church of God Be saved to sin no more. Text: William Cowper, 1771, alt. Tune: Lowell Mason 1830 The First Candle Is Extinguished 3

5 The Second Candle The Darkness of Judgment Scripture Reading Isaiah 53 Choral Anthem: Wondrous Love arr. Pooler The Second Candle Is Extinguished The Third Candle The Darkness of Desertion Responsive Reading Leader: Jesus said to them: You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. People: Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. Leader: Jesus said to them: Truly I say to you, this very night before the cock crows you will deny me three times. People: Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you. Vocal Duet: Depth of Mercy Chorus: Heaven find me on my knees; Hear my soul s impassioned plea, Depth of mercy can there be Mercy still reserved for me? Cates/Wood Depth of mercy, can there be Mercy still reserved for me? Can my God his wrath forbear, Me, the chief of sinners, spare? I have long withstood his grace, Long provoked him to his face, Would not hearken to his calls, Grieved him by a thousand falls. I my Master have denied, I afresh have crucified, Oft profaned his hallowed name, Put him to an open shame. There for me the Savior stands, Shows his wounds and spreads his hands. God is Love! I know, I feel; Jesus weeps and loves me still. Now incline me to repent Let me now my sins lament, Deeply my revolt deplore Weep, believe, and sin no more. The Third Candle Is Extinguished 4

6 An Invitation to the Communion for Tenebrae This table is provided for us by Jesus Christ and is open to all who have confessed him as Savior from sin and Lord of their life. Come to this table to feed upon Christ through faith in his Word, and be strengthened by his life. Come not because you are worthy, but because in your emptiness you stand in need of God s mercy and grace. Come to seek a fresh vision of the presence of our Lord Jesus and a renewed sense of his glory and power. This table is given us because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and the redemption that has been accomplished for us through the cross. By this death the kingdom of God has been opened, salvation revealed, and God s love applied to our hearts. HOLY COMMUNION Prayer of Confession O Lord Jesus Christ, who in this sacrament didst leave your Church a memorial of yourself and a pledge and seal of your redeeming love, grant that when we keep the feast, in obedience to your command, we may approach your Table with love and humble hope, and that in discerning the mystery of this sacrament, we may by faith feed on your holy body and blood, and share in your grace. Let the remembrance of your Passion and triumph ever abide in our hearts, that we may be fortified against the assaults of our enemies and strengthened to keep your commandments all the days of our lives. Amen. Words of Institution Distribution of the Bread Distribution of the Cup The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. 5

7 The Fourth Candle The Darkness of Gethsemane Scripture Reading Mark 14 The congregation stands. Hymn: Go to Dark Gethsemane Go to dark Gethsemane, All who feel the tempter s power; Your Redeemer s conflict see, Watch with him one bitter hour: Turn not from his griefs away Teach us, Lord, how we should pray. Follow to the judgment hall, View the Lord of life arraigned. Oh, the wormwood and the gall! Oh, the pangs his soul sustained! Shun not suffering, shame, or loss Help us, Lord, to bear our cross. Calvary s mournful mountain climb; There, adoring at his feet, Mark the miracle of time, God s own sacrifice complete: It is finished! hear him cry Save us, Lord, when death draws high. Text: James Montgomery, 1825, alt. Tune: Richard Redhead, 1853 The congregation is seated. The Fourth Candle Is Extinguished 6

8 The Fifth Candle The Darkness of Denial Scripture Reading Luke 22 The congregation remains seated. Hymn: Ah, Holy Jesus, How have You Offended Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended, That mortal judgment has on you descended? By foes derided, by your own rejected, Oh, most afflicted! Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon you? It is my treason, Lord, that has undone you. Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied you; I crucified you. For me, dear Jesus, was your incarnation, Your mortal sorrow, and your life s oblation; Your death of anguish and your bitter passion, For my salvation. Therefore, dear Jesus, since I cannot pay you, I do adore you and will ever pray you, Think on your pity and your love unswerving, Not my deserving. Text: Johann Heermann, 1630; trans. Robert Bridges, 1899, alt. Tune: Johann Crüger, 1640 The Fifth Candle Is Extinguished The Sixth Candle The Darkness of Scourging Scripture Reading John 19 Vocal Solo: The Power of the Cross Getty/Townend The Sixth Candle Is Extinguished 7

9 The Seventh Candle The Darkness of Death Scripture Reading Mark 15 The congregation remains seated. Hymn: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded O sacred Head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down; Now scornfully surrounded With thorns, thine only crown: O sacred Head, what glory, What bliss till now was thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call thee mine. What thou, my Lord, hast suffered Was all for sinners gain: Mine, mine was the transgression, But thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! Tis I deserve thy place; Look on me with thy favor, Vouchsafe to me thy grace. What language shall I borrow To thank thee, dearest Friend, For this thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? O make me thine forever; And should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to thee. Text: Latin, medieval; German trans. Paul Gerhardt, 1656; trans. James W. Alexander, 1830 Tune: Hans L. Hassler, 1601; adapt. and harm: Johann S. Bach, St. Matthew Passion, 1729 The Seventh Candle Is Extinguished 8

10 The Eighth Candle The Darkness of the Cross Scripture Reading Isaiah 53 Choral Anthem: Kyrie Eleison (Lord, Have Mercy) Mengel Holy Son of Man, I kneel here before your cross, Broken and sorrowful by what man s sin has done. Kyrei eleison, I pray. Precious Savior, Lamb of God, I bow before you now, So unworthy of your redeeming grace. Kyrie eleison, I pray. Kneeling here below your cross, All my gain for sure seems lost. Kyrie eleison, I pray. The Eighth Candle Is Extinguished The Sanctuary Is Darkened The Sound of the Spikes The Congregation Exits in Silence 9