Tenebrae Service: A Service of Shadows for Holy Week

The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays his pathos, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice as we hear the overwhelming sound of the “strepitus”; and through the small but persistent flame of the Christ candle which departs until Resurrection morning when we celebrate the ultimate victory.

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgist:
Mary Hulst

Readers:
Judah Manoraj, Joanna Wigboldy, and Sheila Witvliet

Musicians:
Capella Choir directed by Pearl Shangkuan
Linda Hoisington (accompanist)
Chan Gyu Jang (organ)
Emma Gordon (solo)
Jonathan Pheifer (strepitus)

Dancers:
Julia Start Fletcher (choreographer)
Rachit Kharel and Sara Brown


ENTRANCE TO WORSHIP

Organ Prelude: "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber
Music: Samuel Barber, arr. William Strickland © 1949 G. Schirmer, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang

Introduction

Prayer
Led by Mary Hulst


THE SHADOW OF AGONY OF SPIRIT
Luke 22:39-42, 45-46, read by Judah Manoraj

Sung response & silence following each reading: "Stay with Me"
Text: based on Matthew 26
Music: Jacques Berthier © 1984 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, Taizé Community, France, GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American agent
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang

Congregational Reflection: "Go to Dark Gethsemane"
Text: James Montgomery, 1825, alt. P.D.
Music: Richard Redhead, 1853, P.D.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang


THE SHADOW OF ARREST
Luke 22:47-53, read by Joanna Wigboldy

Choral Reflection: "In Your Footsteps" by Dan Forrest
Text: Duane Nichols © 2010 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
Music: Dan Forrest © 2010 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Pearl Shangkuan, Linda Hoisington, and Calvin University's Capella


THE SHADOW OF DENIAL
Luke 22:54-62, read by Judah Manoraj

Poetic Reflection: "The Meaning of the Look" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Text: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), P.D.
Read by Sheila Witvliet


THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Luke 22:63-23:12, read by Joanna Wigboldy

Congregational Reflection: "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended"
Text: Johann Heermann, 1630, P.D.; tr. Robert Bridges, 1899, alt., P.D.
Music: Johann Crüger, 1640, P.D.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang


THE SHADOW OF SENTENCING
Luke 23:13-25, read by Judah Manoraj

Choral Reflection: "See Gethsemane" by Lloyd Larson
Text: J. Paul Williams © 1991 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
Music: Lloyd Larson © 1991 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Pearl Shangkuan, Linda Hoisington, and Calvin University's Capella


THE SHADOW OF CRUCIFIXION
Luke 23:26-43, read by Joanna Wigboldy

Congregational Reflection: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
Text: Latin, medieval, P.D.; German tr. Paul Gerhardt, 1656, P.D.; English tr. James W. Alexander, 1830, P.D.
Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1601, P.D.; adapt. and harm. Johann S. Bach, 1729, P.D.; arr. John Ferguson © 1997 Augsburg Fortress Press
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang


THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:44-46, read by Judah Manoraj

Choral Reflection: "Just As I Am," arr. Howard Helvey
Text: Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), P.D.
Music: William B. Bradbury (1816-1868), P.D.; arr. Howard Helvey © 2020 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Pearl Shangkuan, Linda Hoisington, and Calvin University's Capella


THE SHADOW OF BURIAL
Luke 23:47-56a, read by Joanna Wigboldy

Solo Meditation: "Were You There?"
Text: African American spiritual, P.D.
Music: African American spiritual, P.D.; harm. C. Winfred Douglas, 1940, P.D.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Emma Gordon

Congregational Reflection: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"
Text: J. Paul Williams © 1991 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
Music: Lloyd Larson © 1991 Beckenhorst Press, Inc.
All rights reserved. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Led by Chan Gyu Jang


BENEDICTION