Westminster Presbyterian Church in Clinton will hold a Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm.

What is a Tenebrae Service?

“The purpose of the service is to create a sense of the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events surrounding Christ’s death,” said Senior Pastor Chad Reynolds. “Our doors are open to all who wish to join us for this special service and every Sunday.”

The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to remind ourselves of the events surrounding Christ’s death. The service includes scripture narratives divided into seven parts. The service will include solemn hymns, instrumental or choral music, a brief sermon, and Communion.

The Tenebrae service starts with candles lit on the pulpit. There are as many candles as there are readings. Each reading is followed by music and then one of the candles is extinguished until the congregation is in near total darkness—and near total devastation. At this point a portion of Isaiah 53 will be read and the service ends. There is no benediction, and the people leave in silence. The lights are turned up but remain dim so that people can see their way out.

Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1387 Highway 56 in Clinton, South Carolina.