4 1 2010
*Welcome: 2 of the 6 persons who joined our church last Sunday, Deacons, Choir Quartet, Joy Shih Ng on the piano and a special welcome to Rev. Sebastian Ong and members from the Chinese Congregational Church participating in tonight’s service of tenebrae and the Lord’s Supper
*CCU Good Friday Services and Easter Sunrise Service
Opening Prayer
We have gathered, O God, in answer to your mandate that we love one another as you have loved us in Jesus of Nazareth. We gather as disciples awaiting a word of assurance and promise. We seek protection from all who insist on conformity to their narrow points of view. We seek empowerment at the table of remembrance and celebration. We long to love as we have been loved, to serve as Christ has served among us, to live lives of thanksgiving that fulfill our vows to you and to one another.
Loving God, you who gave all things into the hands of Jesus and inspired him to wash the feet of his disciples, draw us now into the story as participants, not as mere observers. Help us to recognize one another as sisters and brothers united in the body of Christ for service in the world. As you love us into wholeness and joy, enable us to love others in ways that evoke their response to your love. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Instructions
You are invited to participate in the 10 lessons and songs leading to the Cross. In your bulletin, you have all the words to the songs that we’ll be singing, all Scriptural lessons either in English or in Chinese that you can follow when they are read. After a reading is completed, a candle will be extinguished until all the candles are put out. The word, “tenebrae” in Latin means “darkness.” At that point, the Christ Candle that was lit before the service will be brought out symbolizing that the Light of Christ cannot be put out and the promise of the resurrection on Easter Day.
Once we begin this service, there will be no further announcements. Please follow along as it is listed in the bulletin. When you receive the Benediction, we ask that you leave the service silently and quietly as a precursor of the darkness and suffering of what Jesus will experience on Good Friday.
The Lord’s Supper
Benediction
In the shadow of death, God’s love is made real.
Before the cross, we are blessed and empowered.
Now may the love of God goes with us everywhere we go.
In Jesus Christ, we are strengthened to love one another.
Go in peace.