April 7, 2023

Pine Street Presbyterian Church

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

(Psalm 22:1)

The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of common worship during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae. As the light is extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice; we sit in the solemnity of his death and descent to hell and await his glorious resurrection.

The passion narrative this evening from the Gospel of John includes many references to “the Jews.” Such words reflect the bitter struggle of John’s community in the late first century with the Jewish synagogue and should be understood in that context. These references cannot be used to justify any contempt for Jewish people nor any belief that the church has replaced the Jewish people as the people of God. The Presbyterian Church (USA) officially condemns any such teaching and believes that God’s covenant with the Jewish people is, in the words of Paul the Apostle, “irrevocable.”

CALL TO WORSHIP

One: Christ Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross, Many: So that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.

One: Blessed is the name of the Lord.

PRAYER

Almighty God, look with mercy upon your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over to the hands of strangers, and to suffer death on the cross. We pray in the name of our Savior, who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

† Those able are invited to stand

Bold text is read or sung by all

VOLUNTARY O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Arr. Richard A. Nichols

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Forbid, O God, that we should forget, amid our earthly comforts, the pains and mortal anguish that our Lord Jesus endured. Grant us a true vision of all that he suffered in his betrayal, his lonely agony, his false trial, his mocking and scourging and torture of death upon the cross. As he gave himself totally for us, may we give ourselves entirely to him, who is our only Lord and Savior.

† ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

ANTHEM O Mortal Man Herbert Howells

O mortal man, remember well when Christ our Lord was born. He was crucified between two thieves, and crowned with the thorn, and crowned with the thorn. God bless the master of this house, with happiness beside; where e’er his body rides or walks, Lord Jesus be his guide, Lord, Jesus be his guide.

THE OFFICE OF TENEBRAE

Gracious Powers INTERCESSOR

†HYMN By

READING

John 18:15-27

Peter’s Denial

ANTHEM What Wondrous Love is This

READING

John 18:28-38a

Jesus Before Pilate

Heather Sigler

Robert D. Vandall

Stevi Sharp

READING

John 18:38b-19:16

Jesus is Sentenced to Death

Elyse Rogers

ANTHEM Alone, Thou Goest Forth, O Lord Michael McCabe

Alone thou goest forth, O Lord, in sacrifice to die. Is this thy sorrow naught to us who pass unheeding by? Our sins, not thine, thou bearest, Lord, make us thy sorrow feel, till through our pity and our shame love answers love’s appeal. This is earth’s darkest hour, but thou dost light and life restore; this is earth’s darkest hour, but thou dost light and life restore; then let all praise be given thee who livest evermore. Give us compassion Lord for thee, that as we share this hour, thy cross may bring to us thy joy and resurrection power. Amen, Amen.

READING John 19:17-30 Marty Gruver

The Crucifixion of Jesus

ANTHEM Were You There? Bob

Chilcott

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there?

READING

John 19:31-42

The Burial of Jesus

Deb Gruver

ANTHEM O Dearest Lord, Thy Sacred Head David Johnson

O dearest Lord, thy sacred head with thorns was pierced for me; O pour thy blessing on my head that I may think for thee. O dearest Lord, thy sacred hands with nails were pierced for me; O shed thy blessing on my hands, that they may work for thee. O dearest Lord, thy sacred feet with nails were pierced for me’ O pour thy blessing on my feet that they may follow thee. O dearest Lord, thy sacred heart with spear was pierced for me: O pour thy Spirit on my heart that I may live for thee. Amen.

Suffering Servant

SOLEMN REPROACHES OF THE CROSS

One: "... you have prepared a cross for your Savior."

Many: Lord, have mercy upon us.

LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)

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 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.

DARKNESS

DISMISSAL Luke 2:29-32

Rev. Drumheller

LEADING IN WORSHIP TONIGHT

The Rev. Matthew Drumheller, Interim Pastor

Joseph W. Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship

The Chancel Choir

Sarah and Matt Topping, cello, and piano

COPYRIGHT NOTES

Hymns in the bulletin are used by permission and printed legally under OneLicense.net #A-71074. All rights reserved.

Liturgy reprinted and adapted by permission of Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion. Copyright 2013.

Liturgy reprinted and adapted by permission from the Book of Common Worship,© 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.

You are warmly invited to join us in celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord on Sunday at 6:30 am at Kunkel Plaza on Front Street at State Street and also in the church sanctuary at 10:00 a.m.