March 12, 2008

Lights go out during Easter service

St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Macquarie Street, opposite the New South Wales Parliament House, will turn the lights out during one of its many Easter Services.

On Maundy Thursday, March 20, at 6.15 pm, the church will conduct a Tenebrae Candlelit Service, a traditional Easter service aimed at recreating the deeply emotional aspects of the passion story. A variety of speakers will read scripture narratives then each will extinguish a candle.

A white candle, known as the Christ candle, is the last to be put out, leaving the congregation in near total darkness, representing total devastation. The service ends at this point and those present leave silently — no benediction, no closing remarks, but time for reflection on what Easter is all about. The service recreates the betrayal, abandonment and agony of the events — leaving the story unfinished, until Easter Day.

That will take place on Sunday March 23, at the 10.00 am service.

Other services include Holy Communion on Palm Sunday, March 16 at 10.00 am and the Good Friday Service, Friday March 21 at 10.00 am.

Senior Minister, the Rev. Dr Matthew Jack, will be assisted by the Director of Music, Adrian Chong BMus (Hons), LTCL, AMusTCL at all Easter Services.

For further information, contact St Stephen’s Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street, Sydney; phone (02) 9221 1688, email office@ssms.org.au, website www.ssms.org.au.