The word “Tenebrae” comes from the Latin meaning “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service that makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the events of that week from the triumphant Palm Sunday entry through Jesus’ burial.

This increasing darkness symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and of hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle, 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.

At Lake Cities UMC we will gather for a  worship experience April 15th at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. We will move from light into darkness as we mourn Christ’s suffering and the suffering of the world. This time for repentance, turning toward God and reflecting on our lives is the final step on our Holy Week preparation for Easter’s new life.