Maundy Thursday Preparation and
walk-through:
Preparation: stage light equipment is in closet off balcony, use blue gels
Maundy Thursday, red gels for Good Friday.
Ø Hang red dossel over altar
Ø 13 volunteers: 12 to read, and one to adjust stage lights in balcony and to bang the mallet.
o Signed up and confirmed prior to Holy Week.
Ø Set up stage lighting in the balcony, before Thursday.
Ø Two light beams are aimed and focused on the dossal, using over/under coverage. Secure fixtures tightly to cross bar.
Ø Remove flowers, bible, and candle sticks from altar.
Ø Communion table is set up in front of altar on same floor level as the altar. (is this changing?)
Ø 3 long tables, 1 square card table; align two long tables end-to-end from near edge of top step.
§ Square table placed at end of 2nd long table next to 3rd long table setup parallel to the altar, forming a ‘T’.
11 M 12
9 10
7 8
5 6
3 4
1 2
Set back from top of
stairs.
Ø Cover the long tables with white table cloths.
Ø 10 folding or stacking chairs for readers set up on long edge of two long and one short table.
o Even #s on right side, odd#s on the left (as you face alter).
o Numbers 1,3,5,7,9 on left side, starting at steps. Numbers 2,4,6,8,10 on right side, starting at steps
Ø 3 folding or stacking chairs at ‘head’ table at top of ‘T’ in front of altar.
o These are for readers 11 & 12 with seat in middle for the minister.
o Leave space behind chairs at ‘head table’ for communion servers to pass.
Ø Place hymnals on tables for readers 9 -12.
Ø Microphone is attached to long cable and laid down axis of long tables to reach seats #1 and 2.
o Cable and microphone are stored behind alter, choir side, lower shelf.
Ø Each seating has an unlit candle in candle holder.
Ø One candle snuffer placed in front of reader #1.
Ø Center seating at ‘top’ table is for minister, has larger pillar candle, which is extinguished last, after reading #12.
Ø Test the spotlight from the balcony, aimed at the dossel, with lights turned down low.
Ø A mallet or gavel and block of wood are used from the balcony.
Schedule time to meet for a walk-through rehearsal: __________________
Ø 4 readers, 9,10,11,12 walk forward to serve communion at appropriate time; when minister moves to the communion table during the service.
o Take their seats on front pew bench for the communion service.
o Communion elements are served to congregation same as regular communion Sundays.
Ø 8 remaining readers are seated in back pew during the first part of the service.
Ø After communion elements have been served, these readers (9,10,11,12) move to take their seats at the tables.
o And sing from hymnals.
o 8 readers walk forward in pairs during the hymn following communion.
o Readers #7-8 are first in line. Next are 5+6, then 3+4, then 1+2. Evens line up on right.
Ø Minister lights the pillar candle first using matches.
o Readers 12,11,10,9 light their candle from the large candle.
o Readers 7 & 8 light their candles from 9 & 10, 5 & 6 light their candles from 7 & 8, and so on until all candles are lit.
Ø Reader #1 turns on the mike and begins the readings.
Ø After each reading, reader passes the mike to the next reader, snuffs out their own candle, then next reader begins.
Ø Cable is retracted by reader 9 or 10 after each even# reader finishes reading and passes microphone to next odd reader on opposite side of table.
Ø Lights are turned down or lowered ‘ a notch’ in sanctuary after each [pair of] reader[s].
o (Kristy does this from the organ bench)
Ø Someone is seated in balcony and gradually turns up the stage lights as the readings progress.
§ The stage light is getting brighter as the sanctuary lighting is growing dimmer.
Ø !!! After the 11th reading the mallet is hammered slowly, but sharply, 3 times from the balcony.
o This represents nailing on the cross.
o A short pause for effect after the hammering before the last (12th)reading.
Ø Lights remain low and everyone remains quiet after the last reading.
o After a few minutes lights are turned on in the narthex to signal congregation when to leave.
o
Ø Does choir leave first setting the tone for every else that follows?
o Readers remain seated until the sanctuary is empty, then setup for Good Friday.
o Dossel and cross above altar are changed.
o Balcony lighting gel color changed from blue to red.
o More notes below..
Communion setup:
Ø Use regular instructions, except prepare for anticipated attendance.
After Maundy Thursday service,
clean up and prepare immediately for Good Friday service.
Leave lighting setup in the balcony if Good Friday will be an evening service.
Change liturgical colors from red to white.
Change gels in balcony stage lights to red.
Put away tables and chairs.
Put away cable and mike.
Put away everything else.
Tenebrae is the Latin word for "darkness" or "shadows."
A mention of this in the program bulletin might be helpful to congregation and visitors in attendance.
Some links of interest regarding the service of Tenebrae:
http://www.kencollins.com/question-39.htm
http://www.worshipandchurchmusic.com/tenebrae.html