7 LAST WORDS OF CHRIST A Good Friday Tenebrae Service ABOUT THIS SERVICE: This service focuses on the Seven Last Words of Christ and is patterned after the ancient office of Tenebrae. The word "Tenebrae" means darkness. The purpose of the service is to impress upon us the terrible reality of sin, which caused our Savior to die for us. The service begins with the stripping of the altar. As Jesus was stripped for crucifixion, so our altar and chancel are laid bare in remembrance of His great suffering. As the service continues, you will hear your Savior speak His last words, which are recorded for us in the four Gospels. Each reading is followed by a brief devotion, silence, prayer, and a hymn. After each of the 7 Words is read, a candle is extinguished, causing the chancel to become increasingly darkened. By this we are reminded of the darkness that covered the earth at the time our Lord’s crucifixion. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual darkness that would exist had the Light of the world not come. The exit of the Christ Candle, near the close of the service, signifies Christ's death and burial. Then there is a loud noise, symbolizing the closing of the tomb. The Christ Candle will reappear at the Easter Festival Service in celebration of the resurrection. SILENT PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Lord Jesus Christ, as I meditate in this service on Your death for me, let those final sentences which You spoke from the cross impart a personal blessing, that I may both worship in spirit and truth and be moved to sacrifice my whole life as an offering to You. Amen. STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR Psalm 22 is read GATHERING WORDS based on Lamentations 1:12 P: In the Name of the Father, and the Son +, and the Holy Spirit. C: AMEN P: All you who pass this way C: look and see the shadow of sin. P: All you who pass this way C: look and see the weight of the world. P: All you who pass this way C: look and see the suffering of our Savior. P: All you who pass this way C: look and see the sorrow of Jesus Christ. P: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Let us pray: C: Almighty God, graciously behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. VIDEO On the Cross THE FIRST WORD Forgiveness Luke 23:26-27, 32-34a HYMN Christ, the Life of All the Living LSB 420 vv.1, 6 THE SECOND WORD Paradise Luke 23:35-43 HYMN The Old Rugged Cross On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross And I'll cherish the old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame Till my trophies at last I lay down And I love that old cross where the dearest and best And I will cling to the old rugged cross For a world of lost sinners was slain And exchange it some day for a So I'll cherish the old rugged cross crown Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a And exchange it some day for a crown crown To the old rugged cross I will ever be true It's shame and reproach gladly bear Then he'll call me someday to my home far away Where his glory forever I'll share THE THIRD WORD Mother and Son John 19:25-27 HYMN Lamb of God LSB 550 THE FOURTH WORD Forsaken Mark 15:33-34 HYMN Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) My chains are gone Amazing grace I've been set free How sweet the sound My God, my Savior has ransomed That saved a wretch like me me I once was lost, but now I'm found And like a flood His mercy rains Was blind, but now I see Unending love, Amazing grace 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved My chains are gone How precious did that grace appear I've been set free The hour I first believed My God, my Savior has ransomed me My chains are gone And like a flood His mercy rains I've been set free Unending love, Amazing grace My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy rains The Earth shall soon dissolve like Unending love, Amazing grace snow The sun forbear to shine The Lord has promised good to me But God, Who called me here below His word my hope secures Will be forever mine He will my shield and portion be Will be forever mine As long as life endures You are forever mine THE FIFTH WORD Thirst John 19:28-29 HYMN O Dearest Jesus, What Law Has Thou Broken LSB 439 vv.1,3,4 THE SIXTH WORD Finished John 19:30a HYMN When I Survey the Wondrous Cross LSB 425 vv.1-3 THE SEVENTH WORD Spirit Luke 23:44-47 VIDEO Behold His Glory CHRIST CANDLE EXITS LORD’S PRAYER P: Remember us in your Kingdom, O Lord, and teach us to pray: C: 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 forever and ever. Amen. + + + Join us on Easter Sunday to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection! Easter Festival Service 9:30am at our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSI04Z_ziGvSs4Eot08CUw .