We held a virtual Good Friday Tenebrae on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 7pm. You may watch via Facebook by clicking here or below.
GATHERING MUSIC “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”
CALL TO WORSHIP
This night, what gathers us here?
If you have ever believed that love inevitably leads to betrayal
this night says it doesn’t
if you have ever believed that some people can’t be redeemed
this night says they can
if you have ever believed that forgiveness wears out
this night says it won’t
if you have ever believed you aren’t worth saving
this night says you are
if you have ever believed that you don’t deserve freedom
this night says you do
if you have ever believed that fear, anger,
hate and despair will always win
this night says they won’t.
This night says love wins; this night love gathers us here.
-First Light: Darkness of Suffering-
Isaiah 53:2-6
The First Light is Extinguished
“Be Still My Soul”
-Second Light: Darkness of Betrayal-
Mark 14:3-4, 6, 8, 10-11
The Second Light Is Extinguished
“Go to Dark Gethsemane”
-Third Light: Darkness of Desertion-
Matthew 26:36-40
The Third Light Is Extinguished
Poem
The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye
that shuts until morning.
Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.
The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,
and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,
and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.
Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did,
maybe the wind wound itself into a silver tree,
and didn’t move.
Maybe, the lake far away, where once he walked
as on a blue pavement, lay still and waited, wild awake.
Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not
keep that vigil, how they must have wept,
so utterly human, knowing this too
must be a part of the story. — Mary Oliver
-Fourth Light: Arrest and Denial-
Luke 22:47-48, 54-62
The Fourth Light Is Extinguished
“O Sacred Head Now Wounded”
-Fifth Light: the Trial-
Mark 14:53-54, 60-61 15:1-5
The Sixth Light Is Extinguished
“What Wondrous Love Is This?”
REFLECTION Shattered
-Sixth Light: Shadow of the Cross-
Mark 15:16-24
The Seventh Light Is Extinguished
“Were You There?”
-Seventh Light: Darkness of Death-
Mark 15:25-28
Matthew 27:45-46, 50
The Ninth Light Is Extinguished
SENDING MUSIC “All is Silent in the Halls of the Dead”
-We Depart in Silence-
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Thanks to musicians Kathryn Parker, June Packard, Shaun Booher, and Charlie & Cynthia Yerrick.
Thanks to composer Danielle O’Hallisey.
Thanks to the readers of the United Community Church of Morrisville and Essex Center United Methodist Church.
