Our service of worship is taken from an early Christian service called Tenebrae.  Tenebrae is the Latin word for “darkness” or “shadows.”  In this service we establish our connection with the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events of Good Friday, as we focus on the traditional “seven last words” of Jesus from the cross.  Increasing darkness is used to dramatize the depth of our grief as we reflect upon our Lord’s passion and death.  As the evening grows ever darker, we can reflect on the great emotional and physical pain that was very real for Jesus that evening.