Tenebrae and Good Friday blessings/benediction

On Thursday night I organised a Tenebrae service at St Peter's. Here is the benediction I wrote for it.

We go into the dark

But there is a light that shines that not even death can put out

We go into the dark

but even now new life is dawning

We go into the dark

In the sure and certain hope that Christ is with us

 

It appeared with the above image which is reminiscent of the closing scene of the movie Terminator 2... It symbolises not a journey into darkness and despair but into hope.  

 

 

 

 

I then wanted to continue the symbolism of candles being blown out and the whole Tenebrae motif on Good Friday  so behind the  benediction which echoes the famous words of an afro American preacher 'It's Friday but Sunday is Coming'   I placed the image of a candle blown out.

 

 

 

 

Go into the day not with grief and sorrow but with hope and even Joy 

It’s Friday but Sunday is coming

Go into the day not in defeat and loss

 But in awe at what God has done for us

It’s Friday but Sunday is coming

Go in peace, God has made a way for us

 Go with the assurance of new life and light

It’s Friday but Sunday is coming

 

The service then ended with one of the children in the congregation coming and lighting a candle up the front a symbolic gesture of hope and the assurance of the resurrection and saying the words we start all our services with "WE light the Christ candle" to which the congregation responds "Christ is the Light of the world".