Tenebrae Service Preparation Notes
This is some notes on what is needed to perform the service. The first step as always is prayer; make sure this is something God wants you do. You will also obviously need to get approval and support from the pastoral staff.
The service is organized as an introduction, the 7 shadows, then a closing time of confession and communion. During each of the shadows there is a reading from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the gospel event, followed by a reflection, extinguishing a candle, a time of silent meditation, and then a song. As each candle is extinguished, the lights in the church should also be dimmed, until it is completely dark (thus this service is best done in the evening, after the sun goes down). The last song is a solo done in the dark, then there is a loud noise (e.g. a cymbal or gong) and the lights are turned on. Then there is a final reading. This is followed by an invitation to the congregation to nail their sins to a cross and take communion.
You need 4 readers, which are designated as R1,R2,R3,R4. R1 does the readings of Jesus, R2 does the narration, R3 is the voice of Peter, the disciples, and Jewish leaders, R4 is various other voices. I think it is best if a male reader is used for R1 and R3. RF is the person who introduces the service and does the reflections, which can either be a pastor or lay leader. Either this person or a pastor can lead the final communion. The readers will need to practice together several times beforehand to work out the timing. They do not need to memorize their lines, but they do need to have their timing and pronunciation down so that the dialogue flows smoothly. During the service there are just the 4 readers side by side up front, with the RF and musicians to the side. This is mainly a service for listening and meditating on the words, but to make it a little more visually interesting there are suggestions in the notes for variations in the readers positions.
You will need a worship leader, possibly multiple musicians if you want full instrumental backing. You need someone to sing the solo "Were You There". You need a gong or cymbal for the loud noise, which either a musician or the RF should strike.
You will need several people behind the scenes, and be sure to thank and recognize these unheralded workers:
Supplies that will be needed beforehand:
This is some notes on what is needed to perform the service. The first step as always is prayer; make sure this is something God wants you do. You will also obviously need to get approval and support from the pastoral staff.
The service is organized as an introduction, the 7 shadows, then a closing time of confession and communion. During each of the shadows there is a reading from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the gospel event, followed by a reflection, extinguishing a candle, a time of silent meditation, and then a song. As each candle is extinguished, the lights in the church should also be dimmed, until it is completely dark (thus this service is best done in the evening, after the sun goes down). The last song is a solo done in the dark, then there is a loud noise (e.g. a cymbal or gong) and the lights are turned on. Then there is a final reading. This is followed by an invitation to the congregation to nail their sins to a cross and take communion.
You need 4 readers, which are designated as R1,R2,R3,R4. R1 does the readings of Jesus, R2 does the narration, R3 is the voice of Peter, the disciples, and Jewish leaders, R4 is various other voices. I think it is best if a male reader is used for R1 and R3. RF is the person who introduces the service and does the reflections, which can either be a pastor or lay leader. Either this person or a pastor can lead the final communion. The readers will need to practice together several times beforehand to work out the timing. They do not need to memorize their lines, but they do need to have their timing and pronunciation down so that the dialogue flows smoothly. During the service there are just the 4 readers side by side up front, with the RF and musicians to the side. This is mainly a service for listening and meditating on the words, but to make it a little more visually interesting there are suggestions in the notes for variations in the readers positions.
You will need a worship leader, possibly multiple musicians if you want full instrumental backing. You need someone to sing the solo "Were You There". You need a gong or cymbal for the loud noise, which either a musician or the RF should strike.
You will need several people behind the scenes, and be sure to thank and recognize these unheralded workers:
- Someone to do sound: you will need microphones for the readers (preferably 4), a microphone for the RF, and for the musicians.
- Someone to do lights: they should dim the lights at the same time that each candle is extinguished.
- Someone to project the lyrics to the songs overhead (given the nature of the dimming light, projecting lyrics works better than trying to read from a hymnbook).
- You may want workers to provide childcare (this is a somber service, and little ones will likely have trouble staying still during it).
- Someone to prepare the communion elements (and possibly serve the communion, depending on your tradition).
- Optionally, someone to prepare a program flyer that can be handed to people as they enter.
Supplies that will be needed beforehand:
- Copies of the readings for everyone involved.
- Lyrics of the songs ready for projecting.
- A candelabra with 7 candles and a candle-snuffer; if don't have a candelabra can just arrange 7 candles on a table, or put the candles on the arms of the cross.
- A large wooden cross that can have nails put in it (may need to ask someone to make one), along with a stand or way of supporting the cross; nails, hammers, paper and pencils.
- Communion elements
- You will need to arrange proper advertising in the church bulletin and other places so that people know about the event.