Darkness falls on Good Friday

Helga Klepin and Debra Harder prepare the altar for Circle of Grace's Good Friday Tenebrae service.

Circle of Grace Lutheran Chapel will remember the day of Christ's crucifixion with a Good Friday Tenebrae service.

A Tenebrae service is a service of shadows or a service of darkness. When worshippers gather at 7 p.m., the chapel will be fully lit. Worship will progress as the congregation hears Jesus' seven last words from the cross. Each word will be supported by a meditation and singing a hymn.

After each word, an altar candle will be extinguished and the lights will dim. As each of the seven words are read, the sanctuary will become increasingly dark, and after the seventh word complete darkness will prevail, reminding worshippers of the darkness of this world without Christ.

Good Friday reminds us of the intense sacrifice our Lord made and prepares us for the joy to be announced on Easter Day when worshippers return at 9:30 am. Sunday.

Circle of Grace currently worships in Limestone College's Camp Swofford Chapel, at the corner of College Drive and Griffith Street.