Good Friday Tenebrae
A Service of Shadows and Darkness
This evening begins the Triduum, the three days of the mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. Good Friday is a quiet service of prayer and readings and hymns, traditionally sung without music or with very soft music.
Good Friday Tenebrae is so called because of its darkness; ‘Tenebrae’ is Latin for darkness. The most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church until only a single candle, considered a symbol of the Lord, remains. Toward the end of the service, this candle is hidden, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil. At the very end, a strepitus (“loud noise”) is made, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the Resurrection; the hidden candle is restored to its place, and by its light all depart in silence.
There is no benediction because our worship continues on Easter Sunday, and so between now and the Resurrection we prepare our hearts and lives for grief and sorrow turned to celebration.
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #171 Go to dark Gethsemane
1 Go to dark Gethsemane,
You who feel the tempter’s pow’r;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see;
Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
2 Follow to the judgment hall;
View the Lord of life arraigned;
O the worm-wood and the gall!
O the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss;
Learn of Him to bear the cross.
3 Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb
There’ adoring at His feet,
Mark the miracle of time,
God’s own sacrifice complete:
“It is finished!” Hear the cry;
Learn of Jesus Christ to die.
4 Early hasten to the tomb
Where they laid his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom;
Who hath taken Him away?
Christ is ris’n! He meets our eyes:
Savior, teach us so to rise.
Baptist Hymnal, 1991
Gathering (based on Lamentations 1:12)
Celebrant All you who pass this way
People Look and see, the shadow of sin
Celebrant All you who pass this way
People Look and see the weight of the world
Celebrant All you who pass this way
People Look and see, the suffering of our Savior.
Celebrant All you who pass this way
People Look and see, the sorrow of Jesus Christ
Celebrant Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #675 Take up your cross (vs. 1-3)
1 Take up your cross, the Savior said,
if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me.
2 Take up your cross, let not its weight
fill your weak spirit with alarm;
his strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.
3 Take up your cross, heed not the shame,
and let your foolish heart be still;
the Lord for you accepted death
upon a cross, on Calvary’s hill.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given 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.
Please be seated.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People and also with you
The Bidding Prayers
(Sung at the beginning, after each block of petitions and at the end of the bidding prayers)
Lord Listen to you children praying. Lord send your Spirit in this place:
Lord listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace
In the Shadows of Betrayal
Reading: Luke 22:1-6
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Homily The Rev. Jean Vargo
All stand as they are able.
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #439 What Wondrous Love is This (vs 1 & 2)
1 What wondrous love is this,
O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown
for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
2 To God and to the Lamb,
I will sing, I will sing,
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, I will sing,
while millions join the theme I will sing.
Shadow of Condemnation
Reading: Luke 23:32-34
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Forgiving Christ, when the world condemns us, when wrong is done to us, when we carry the weight of things that are too much to forgive, be with us in the darkness, and give us the grace to be forgiven and forgiving.
(Silence, extinguish 1st candle)
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #439 What Wondrous Love is This (vs 3)
3 And when from death I’m free,
I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
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, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on.
Shadow of Separation
Reading: Luke 23:35-43
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Reconciling Christ, we are weighed down by sin and separation, a world that is not at peace, people who are not whole. You reached out to the thief, you welcomed him to God’s side. Come alongside us in the darkness, and bring grace and peace to everything that is broken.
(Silence, extinguish 2nd candle)
Hymn: Jesus Remember Me
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (repeat twice)
Shadow of Sorrow
Reading: John 19:25-27
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Loving Jesus, we carry the weight of the people we love, concern for their sorrows and suffering. Our care for them is deep, and sometimes there is not much we can do. Come alongside us in the darkness, and cradle the ones we love in your strong hands.
(Silence, extinguish 3rd candle)
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #158 Ah, Holy Jesus (vs 1,2,5)
1 Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
2 Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.
’Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.
5 Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.
Shadow of Despair
Reading: Mark 15:33-35
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Lord Jesus Christ, you know what it is to feel that God is far away. You know what it is to call out for God’s presence. Come alongside us in the darkness, and help us call out for God.
(Silence, extinguish 4th candle)
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #474 When I survey the wondrous cross
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
where the young Prince of Glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the cross of Christ, my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet
sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Shadow of Suffering
Reading: John 19:28-30
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Suffering Savior, in all our thirst, in all our sickness, in all our longing, in all our pain, you are there. Come alongside us in the darkness, and walk with us through all our suffering.
(Silence, extinguish 5th candle)
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #168 O Sacred Head sore wounded (vs 1 & 4)
1 O sacred head, sore wounded,
defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded
with mocking crown of thorn:
what sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflower?
O countenance whose splendor
the hosts of heaven adore!
4 What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love for thee.
Shadow of Death
Reading: Luke 23:44-49
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Celebrant Dearest Jesus, even in death, you are there. When we mourn, when we are afraid, when we come to our own end, you have been there, too. Come alongside us in the darkness, and carry us through death to life.
(Silence, extinguish 6th candle)
Hymn: The Hymnal 1982, #172 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (vs 1,2,3)
1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2 Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
3 Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
(Silence, extinguish 7th candle)
The Eternal Candle is removed
Celebrant Behold the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world
People O come let us worship him
The Lord’s Prayer is whispered
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Strepitus
(The Eternal candle returns the sanctuary as a reminder of Christ’ Eternal presence.
Silence is kept as we reflect on the mystery of the crucifixion.)
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Tonight’s Ministers
Celebrant: The Rev. Jean Vargo Organist: Barbara Acker-Mills
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
A letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe
Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:
For more than a century, Episcopalians have given generously to the Good Friday Offering, which supports the vital work and ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. Today, the need of the church in the Holy Land is greater than ever, particularly given the recent escalation of war in the Middle East, and I hope you will join me in making a generous gift today at iam.ec/goodfridayoffering.
I am in frequent touch with Archbishop Hosam Naoum, who leads the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, and I know how urgently he and his people need our support as they alleviate suffering and provide hope to God’s people of all faiths. The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey recently gave the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem $1 million to support medical and trauma care for children, youth, and families in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, and I am hoping that we can build on that extraordinary gift with this year’s Good Friday Offering.
The Episcopal Church supports just and sustainable peace in the Holy Land and around the world. While we pray and work for peace, our siblings in the Holy Land will continue to serve God’s people with hospitals, schools, orphanages, and humanitarian aid programs. These ministries serve people of all faiths without distinction, bearing witness to the power of hope and healing across divides.
Together, we can support the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East as it turns despair into hope for God’s people in the land where our faith was born.
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
Presiding Bishop The Episcopal Church
To make your gift today:
- Visit iam.ec/goodfridayoffering
- Send a check with “Good Friday Offering” in the memo line to:
The Episcopal Church (DFMS) PO Box 958983 St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
