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So [Music] you [Music] so [Music] good evening and welcome to Mansfield First EPC. Just a few minor housekeeping things to let you know for this evening’s service. First off, if you have never been to a Tenebrae service before, you will notice that during a portion of the service, the lights will be going down. Yes, we have paid our bills; this is intentional. The lights will be going down.
Second, we will be having communion this evening, and we will be serving it by intention. So when the time comes, we’ll be asking everybody to rise and come down the center aisle, and then return to your seats after you have taken the elements. If you are unable to come down, please just raise your hand, and then we will bring the elements to you at your seat.
Lastly, at the close of the service, we will ask that we leave in silence, or as near silence as we may, at least until we have exited the narthex. So with that in mind, let us prepare our hearts for worship.
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, ‘Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?’ And he said, ‘Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, ‘The master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.” And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them, and they made ready the Passover.
Please let us stand and sing praises at this joyful portion of the remembrance and sing hymn number three, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’
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Almighty God, you alone are holy; you alone are worthy to be praised. And we have gathered here together to remember and celebrate the great salvation and deliverance you have given to your people. We ask that now throughout this time you are with us, that you surround us, and that you bring us to a mind where we are united with your Son as we remember the last days of his life. We ask this in the name of the one who taught us to pray to you by praying:
Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
You may be seated.
Our first scripture reading this evening comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, beginning at the 14th verse.
And when the hour was come, he sat down and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, ‘With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ And he took the cup and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come.’
And he took bread and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.’ Likewise, also the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly, the Son of Man goeth as it was determined; but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed.’ And they began to inquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing.
Our second hymn is number 460, ‘Let Us Break Bread Together.’
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The prayer of great thanksgiving is an old tradition among liturgical churches. It is a prayer that has been used by many different denominations and communities of Christians for, I don’t know how long. So this evening, as we go into this time of prayer, we are uniting our hearts, our minds, our thoughts, and our souls with Christians around the world who have been and who are yet to be.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, strong and faithful God. All your works, the height and the depth, echo the silent music of your praise. In the beginning, your word summoned light, night withdrew, and creation dawned. The waters were gathered upon the face of the earth, and life appeared.
When the earth had grown full in abundance, you created in your image man and woman, the stewards of all creation. You gave us breath and speech that all the living might find a voice to sing your praise and to celebrate the creation you call good.
So now with all the powers of heaven and earth, we proclaim the ageless hymn of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Amen.
As we come to the table, we remember that very Passover evening when Jesus celebrated this last meal with his twelve closest friends. And as we remember this, we keep in our minds the teachings of the Apostle Paul, who warns us that before we come and partake, we examine ourselves; that we ensure that we are not holding anyone in unforgiveness; that we are not hiding any forgotten or secret sins in our hearts; that we ask the Lord’s forgiveness and truly repent before we come to him.
Because as the Apostle Paul tells us, when we take the bread and we take the cup, we are participating in the Lord’s death. And so, when we take of it worthily, we are receiving those positive benefits spiritually of our union with him. But if we take it unworthily, we eat and drink judgment upon ourselves.
So as they gathered for this meal, during the meal, Jesus took the bread. And after he gave thanks, saying, ‘Baruch,’ ‘Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from heaven,’ he gave it to his disciples and told them, ‘Take, each of you, and eat; do this in remembrance of me.’
Following the meal, he took the cup in a similar manner, and after giving thanks, saying the traditional words of ‘Baruch Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam Barai P’ri HaGafen,’ ‘Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.’ He gave it to his disciples and said, ‘Take, each of you, and drink; this is my blood of the covenant shed for you; do this in remembrance of me.’
As the Apostle Paul tells us, each time we eat this bread and we drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.
So, if you would, as you are willing and able, please rise and come on down forward.
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Thank you.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this meal, for all that it represents and has represented to your people throughout all of the years, throughout all the generations. This is a meal celebrating the deliverance that you have brought to us.
May this bread and this juice nourish our bodies as you nourish our souls, and remind us of the very cost that this meal was, that you paid for with the blood of your Son, Jesus. It’s in his name that we pray. Amen.
Our next hymn is number 461, ‘In Remembrance.’
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Matthew 26, verses 36-50. Then cometh Jesus with them into a place called Gethsemane and saith unto the disciples, ‘Sit ye here while I go and pray yonder.’ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here and watch with me.’ And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’
And he cometh unto the disciples and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, ‘What, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’
He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done.’
And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. And he left them and went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples and saith unto them, ‘Sleep on now, and take your rest; behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.’
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast.’
And forth he came to Jesus and said, ‘Hail, Master,’ and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, ‘Friend, wherefore art thou come?’ Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
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Luke 22:66 through 23:11. And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together and led him into their counsel, saying, ‘Art thou the Christ? Tell us.’
And he said unto them, ‘If I tell you, ye will not believe; and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of Man sit on the right hand of the power of God.’
Then said they all, ‘Art thou then the Son of God?’ And he said unto them, ‘Ye say that I am.’ And they said, ‘What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.’
And the whole multitude of them arose and led him unto Pilate, and they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king.’
And Pilate asked him, saying, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ And he answered him and said, ‘Thou sayest it.’
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, ‘I find no fault in this man.’ And they were more fierce, saying, ‘He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.’
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean, and as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad, for he was desirous to see him of a long season because he had heard many things of him and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Then he questioned with him in many words, but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
And Herod with his men of war set him at naught and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate.
Matthew 27:11 to 31. And Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, saying, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou sayest.’
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, ‘Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?’ And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
Now at that feast, the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.
Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, ‘Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus, which is called Christ?’ For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent out to him, saying, ‘Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.’
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
The governor answered and said unto them, ‘Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?’ They said, ‘Barabbas.’
Pilate saith unto them, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?’ They all say unto him, ‘Let him be crucified.’
And the governor said, ‘Why, what evil hath he done?’ But they cried out the more, saying, ‘Let him be crucified.’
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.’
Then he answered all the people and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe.
And when they had planted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head and a reed in his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’
And they spit upon him and took the reed and smote him on the head. And after that, they had mocked him; they took the robe off and put his own raiment on him and led him away to crucify him.
Our next hymn is 327, ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’
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Our first word comes from Luke chapter 23, beginning at the 32nd verse.
And there were also two other malfactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the malfactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ And they parted his raiment and cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.’
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar and saying, ‘If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself.’ And the superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
Our next hymn is number 323, ‘At the Cross.’
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Our second word comes from John 19.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,’ that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, ‘They parted my raiment among them and for my vesture they did cast lots.’ These things therefore the soldiers did.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, ‘Woman, behold thy son.’
Then saith he to the disciple, ‘Behold thy mother.’ And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Our next hymn is number 324, ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.’
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The third word coming from Luke chapter 23, the 39th verse. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, ‘If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.’
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, ‘Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man hath done nothing amiss.’
And he said unto Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’
Our next hymn is number 320, ‘Beneath the Cross of Jesus.’
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The fourth word comes from Matthew chapter 27, beginning at verse 45.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is to say, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, ‘This man calleth for Elias.’ And straightway one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed and gave him to drink.
The rest said, ‘Let it be; let us see whether Elias will come to save him.’
Our next hymn is number 316, ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.’
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Our fifth word comes from Luke chapter 23, starting at verse 44.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ And having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Our next hymn is 314, ‘What Wondrous Love Is This.’
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The sixth and seventh words come from John chapter 19.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst.’
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they put a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop and put it to his mouth.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.
Our final hymn is number 315, ‘Were You There?’
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Go with the Lord as you will in peace.