Tenebrae is the Latin term for shadows. It is a meditative service of lessons and worship, accompanied by the gradual extinguishing of lights and candles which symbolise the gathering darkness of the passion of our Lord. The lessons concentrate on the events of the evening before the crucifixion and as such, Tenebrae connects the themes and happenings of Palm Sunday with those of Good Friday.
Choose one person to lead the opening liturgy. They will say the words in normal text and others respond with the words in bold.
Before you start the service, try to set up 8 candles on a table in the shape of a cross
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Thursday 9th April
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Worship Video
Gathering
Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you
All: and also with you
May the Father forgive us
by the death of his Son
and strengthen us
to live in the power of the Spirit
all our days.
All Amen.
Absolution
A few moments of quiet refelction
Have mercy on us, O God,
in your great goodness;
according to the abundance of your compassion
blot out our offences.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Against you only have we sinned
and done what is evil in your sight.
Christ, have mercy.
All Christ, have mercy.
Purge us from our sin and we shall be clean;
wash us and we shall be whiter than snow.
Lord, have mercy.
All Lord, have mercy.
Confession
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
‘If you love me, keep my commandments.’
‘Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.’
‘Let us confess to almighty God our sins against his love,
and ask him to cleanse us.