APRIL 20, 2014 SERVICE OF TENEBRAE GATHERING The service of shadows and darkness (Tenebrae) is an ancient part of our Christian heritage. The Sanctuary Choir and the congregation represent the voices of the people. The candles on the communion table represent the disciples and followers of Jesus. The large candle is a symbol for Christ. OPENING VOLUNTARY O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross (O Man, Bewail Thy Great Sin) J.S. Bach INTROIT The Altar Roland E. Martin A broken ALTAR, Lord thy servant reares, Made of a heart, and cemented with teares: Whose parts are as thy hand did frame; No workmans tool hath touch'd the same A HEART alone Is such a stone, As nothing but Thy pow'r doth cut. Wherefore each part Of my hard heart Meets in this frame, To praise thy Name: That if I chance to hold my peace, These stones to praise thee may not cease. O let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine, And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine. Words by George Herbert CALL TO WORSHIP Todd Jones Leader: God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all. People: Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Leader: And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, People: and we loved darkness rather than light.
*HYMN 220 Go to Dark Gethsemane (Stanzas 1-3) REDHEAD WELCOME AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCIPLESHIP Todd Jones PRAYER FOR GOOD FRIDAY Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed into the hands of sinners and to suffer death upon the cross; Who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST LESSON I John 18:1-11 Kyrie (from Requiem Op. 9) Maurice Duruflé Kyrie eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. LESSON II John 18:12-14 Ave Verum W.A. Mozart Ave, verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine, vere passum immolatum in cruce pro homine. Cujus latus perforatum unda fluxit et sanguine. Esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine. Hail, true body born of the Virgin Mary, Who truly suffered, and sacrificed on the Cross for all, Whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood, Be for us a foretaste in the agony of death. LESSON III John 18:15-18 HYMN 218 (seated) Ah, Holy Jesus (Stanzas 1 & 2 only) HERZLIEBSTER JESU LESSON IV John 18:19-24
There in God s Garden SHADES MOUNTAIN There in God s garden stands the tree of Wisdom, whose leaves hold forth the healing of the nations: tree of all knowledge, tree of all compassion, tree of all beauty. Its name is Jesus, name that says, Our Savior! There on its brances see the scars of suffering; see there the tendrils of our human selfhood feed on its lifeblood. Thorns not its own are tangled in its foliage; our greed has starved it; our despite has choked it. Yet, look! it lives! its grief has not destroyed it nor fire consumed it. See how its branches reach to us in welcome; hear what the Voice says, Come to me, ye weary! Give me your sickness; give me all your sorrow; I will give blessing. LESSON V John 18:25-27 LESSON VI John 18:28-32 Carol of the Hill Stephen Paulus On my ground with a crown of thorn, He died for us who for us was born. The tree that flowered is cold and bare; no songs, no singing anywhere; O Bethlehem, Ah Jerusalem. Second Adam, Son of Man, into my earth your life s blood ran. Now from this earth new trees will grow with fruits, with flowers I swear it so; O Bethlehem, Ah Jerusalem. For you I shall wear a crown of trees, and birds will sing from among their leaves; for you I shall wear a crown of trees; now sing, birds, sing, from among your leaves; O Jerusalem, new lives, new leaves, born again, O Jerusalem. LESSON VII John 18:33-38a
HYMN Lord,Why Have You Forsaken Me BOURBON Psalm 22 LESSON VIII John 18:38b-40 LESSON IX John 19:1-11 Agnus Dei (from Requiem Op. 9) Maurice Duruflé Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi dona eis requiem sempiternam. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world. grant them eternal rest. LESSON X John 19:12-16 HYMN 221 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded PASSION CHORALE LESSON XI John 19:17-22 Drop, Drop Slow Tears Orlando Gibbons arr. Ernest Bullock Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet, which brought from heaven the news and Prince of Peace. Cease not, wet eyes, His mercies to entreat; to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease. In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears, nor let His eye see sin, but through my tears. LESSON XII John 19:23-24 HYMN 223 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross HAMBURG
LESSON XIII John 19:25-27 Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow John Stainer Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow, where the blood of Christ was shed, perfect Man on thee did suffer, perfect God on thee has bled! Here the King of all the ages, throned in light ere worlds could be, robed in mortal flesh is dying, crucified by sin for me. O mysterious condescending! O abandonment sublime! Very God himself is bearing all the sufferings of time! Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow, where the blood of Christ was shed, perfect Man on thee did suffer, perfect God on thee has bled! LESSON XIV John 19:28-30 Robert Shaw/Alice Parker What Wondrous Love What wondrous love is this, O my soul? What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. When I was sinking down, O my soul. When I was sinking down beneath God s righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul. To God and to the Lamb I will sing. To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I am, while millions join the theme, I will sing. And when from death I m free I ll sing on. And when from death I m free, I ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I ll sing on. What wondrous love is this, O my soul. And through eternity I ll sing on. LESSON XV John 19:31-37
Were You There WERE YOU THERE Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? PRAYER FOR MERCY Merciful God, You gave Your Son to suffer the shame of the cross. Save us from hardness of heart, that, seeing Him who died for us, we may repent, confess our sin, and receive Your overflowing love, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Chorale No. 68 (from The Passion According to St. John) J.S. Bach Ah Lord, Thy dear sweet angels send, in my last hour my soul attend, to Abrams arms bear it! This body in its narrow room, so softly rests from pain and gloom, and waits the day prepared it. Ah then from death awaken me, unbind my eyes that I may see in boundless joy Thy holy face, my Saviour and my throne of grace! Lord Jesus Christ, O hear Thou me, I will Thee praise eternally. LESSON XVI John 19:38-42 (please depart in silence) * Those who are able, please stand * * * * * *
PARTICIPATING IN THIS EENING S SERVICE Todd Jones, Pastor Bob Loflin, Narrator Jeff Dale, Candle Bearer Raphael Bundage, Director of Music Nicholas Bergin, Organist FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH extends a warm welcome in the name of Christ to all who worship with us today. If you are interested in joining First Presbyterian Church, please speak to the pastor or elder standing at the left of the pulpit, or you may call the church office during the week. HOLY WEEK CONTINUES AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, April 20, 6:30 A.M. 6:30 A.M. in Sullivan Gardens Meditation by the Rev. Mark DeVries Easter Breakfast 7:00 A.M. in Courtenay Hall Sanctuary Worship Services 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. From This Time Forth and Forevermore! by the Rev. Dr. Todd Jones (No Sunday School) the 5:30 The Gathering Place Sermon by the Rev. Mark DeVries Overflow for these Easter services will be located in Courtenay Hall. Nursery is available for children ages three and younger for all services except the Easter Sunrise service and the 5:30 service. The Mission of First Presbyterian Church To know Christ, to make Him known, and to exhibit His love through worship, education, and service.
First Presbyterian Church 4815 Frankin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220 (615) 383-1815 www.fpcnashville.org