Hopson's service of Tenebrae follows a tradition of the early church dating back to the eighth century, and commemorates the final hours of Christ's life on earth as He prepared for and suffered death on the cross. Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness may be performed as a service in its entirety, or portions of the work may be extracted and performed separately throughout Holy Week. This exceptionally moving work is destined to become a staple in Holy Week repertoire for decades to come.

Hopson's service of Tenebrae follows a tradition of the early church dating back to the eighth century, and commemorates the final hours of Christ's life on earth as He prepared for and suffered death on the cross. Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness may be performed as a service in its entirety, or portions of the work may be extracted and performed separately throughout Holy Week. This exceptionally moving work is destined to become a staple in Holy Week repertoire for decades to come.

Among Christian devotional works, My Utmost for His Highest stands head and shoulders above the rest, with more than 13 million copies sold. But most readers have no idea that Oswald Chambers's most famous work was not published until ten years after his death. The remarkable person behind its compilation and publication was his wife, Biddy. And her story of living her utmost for God's highest is one without parallel. Bestselling novelist Michelle Ule brings Biddy's story to life as she traces her upbringing in Victorian England to her experiences in a WWI YMCA camp in Egypt. Readers will marvel at this young woman's strength as she returns to post-war Britain a destitute widow with a toddler in tow. Refusing personal payment, Biddy proceeds to publish not just My Utmost for His Highest, but also 29 other books with her husband's name on the covers. All the while she raises a child alone, provides hospitality to a never-ending stream of visitors and missionaries, and nearly loses everything in the London Blitz during WWII. The inspiring story of a devoted woman ahead of her times will quickly become a favorite of those who love true stories of overcoming incredible odds, making a life out of nothing, and serving God's kingdom.

CHOIR EDITION - The name Tenebrae is the Latin word for "darkness" or "shadows," and has for centuries been applied to the ancient monastic night and early morning services of the last three days of Holy Week. This hymnal is a condensed version of these ageless and very poignant prayers of Lent. The service is marked by chanting of psalms, singing of gospel excerpts, a reading from the Book of Lamentations and the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights until a single candle, a symbol of the Lord, remains. The Psalms and lamentations are sung using psalm tones similar to the chant heard daily in a monastery that takes the choir and congregation on a penitential journey of the soul beside Christ during his passion. ...... (No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means)

In his passionate and direct style, Walter Wangerin, Jr., examines grief and mourning.

I was very impressed with the tenebrae service... I like the way it flows and keeps the message before us. Rev. Len Huff, Pastor Mount Carroll United Methodist Church Mount Carroll, Illinois (A Service Of Shadows) is an exceptional Maundy Thursday service -- from the sacredness of the Passover to the prayer in the Garden; of Jesus accepting his Father's will. The congregation goes from light to darkness and back to light. Rev. Maurice Wright, Pastor New Unionville Baptist Church Bloomington, Indiana A Service Of Shadows offers congregations a complete tenebrae service with a suggested order of service and an alternative ending with holy communion. This impressive service includes 15 candles and parts for up to 15 readers. As the Passion narrative is read, these candles will be extinguished one at a time as directed in the service. J.B. Quisenberry is writer and director of many chancel dramas. She attended Elgin Community College and Luther College, where she majored in theater and theology.