Join us on Thursday, April 14th at 7:30 P.M. for our Maundy Thursday service.

+The Office of Tenebrae with Holy Communion

         The Office of Tenebrae is patterned after an early Fourth Century Office (ceremony) in which a strict rule of silence was observed.  This evening, meditate upon the fact that it was on Maundy Thursday that twelve disciples were with Jesus in the upper room for their last meal together.  Although they did not understand it, they gathered at that table in the shadow of the cross.

         The Office of Tenebrae (which means, “darkness” or “shadows”) is phrased in words of scripture, without comment.  The responses after each pair of readings are intended to help us in our meditation.  The scriptures portray the Passion of Jesus from the time of fellowship in the upper room to the hour of loneliness and betrayal in the garden.  The extinguishing of the lights is symbolic of the flight of the disciples and the approach of our Lord’s death.  The Christ candle is carried back into worship on Easter as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.

         The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin, “Mandatum Novum” and refers to Jesus’ “New Commandment.”