When the Reformers of the 16th century looked at the Christianity of their day, they saw a church that (in their view) had gotten away from its Scriptural roots. With sola scriptura as their watchword, they overturned centuries of Holy Tradition and placed Scripture at the center of not only their theology, but also their worship. Protestant worship services centered not around the Eucharist, but the sermon. Many of the rites that had been designed through the centuries to help connect people with God were dismissed as “Romish rituals” and eliminated from Protestant worship. …

We've had a Good Friday service for years, but I've never heard of the "reverse candlelight" service idea. Sounds dramatic! My pastor has reminded us that this is Our Week. Christmas has been taken over by the secular world and isn't really the high point of our calendar. But Easter is our time to shine. (Tune in next week. ;-) One idea that you didn't mention, but I like is to fast fro…

Boy, it's crazy how closely the Catholic Holy Week celebrations match up with the Methodist ones, only everything is mixed around. Catholics have tenebrae early in the week. Thursday night is the night we "stay up with Christ". And stations of the cross probably wouldn't happen any time after Good Friday. But the elements are all the same. I for one, applaud the Methodist's church's attem…

Tenebrae is an awesome service. @JonEricson, As Ferris Bueller would say, "I highly recommend it."

@BruceAlderman I'm glad I asked this question! I swear, I didn't read your post til today. Really!