Lent/Easter Musicals

4 47785 A Tenebrae is a special service for Holy Week that can be conducted on Wednesday in Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, or Good Friday. "Tenebrae" comes from the Latin meaning "shadows" or "darkness," so it is a service of shadows. The Tenebrae service makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the events of Holy Week from the triumphant Palm Sunday entry through Jesus's burial. This increasing darkness symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus's death and of hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle (extinguished or carried out of the sanctuary, symbolizing the death of Jesus). A loud noise may also sound symbolizing the closing of Jesus' tomb. The worshipers then leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the coming Resurrection. It is Finished should begin in a dimly-lit sanctuary with five lit candles at the front, along with a sixth candle, the Christ candle. Each candle is extinguished after the conclusion of each anthem. The Christ candle can be extinguished near the end of the final piece of the work (It Is Finished with Were You There), at measure 73, or in silence after the music has finished. Some churches desire the Christ candle not be extinguished, but taken from the sanctuary in front of a silent procession with the choir as they exit. Regardless of the approach you choose in extinguishing the Christ candle, the congregation should depart in silence. (This direction should be printed in the program, so anyone in attendance who is not aware of this tradition of a Tenebrae service can be fully informed). During the Prelude, you may choose to have the choir process, with chosen laypersons or choir members leading the procession carrying the six lit candles. Those candles are then placed in holders in front of the sanctuary. The narration may be read by one reader or several readers. If you choose to have more than one reader, the readings can be divided among lines and paragraphs as desired. It is Finished offers optional PowerPoint images for projection during the service, which correspond with the mood of each piece being sung. This additional service tool is offered as means to enhance the overall impact of the work and the events depicted during Holy Week. The PowerPoint images change with the beginning of each anthem and are indicated in the choral score with this icon: Another service option is to serve communion during the work if so desired. After the choir sings I Am Light, I Am Life, I Am Love, the worship leader gives the invitation to communion. The anthem is then repeated by the instrumentalist(s) alone with no voices as communion is served. PRESENTATION SUGGESTIONS For Preview Only

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