Good Friday Service of Tenebrae (with readings and motets)

On Friday, April 7, 2023 at 7:00pm, we will hold our annual Good Friday Service of Tenebrae. The tradition of Tenebrae is a meditation on Christ’s suffering. Readings by First & Franklin’s leaders will trace the story of Christ’s passion, music by the First & Franklin Sanctuary Choir will portray his pathos. and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death, and prepare our hearts and minds for the joy of his return on Easter Day.

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dorothy LaPenta as our guest preacher for this special service. Dorothy is a retired minister member of Baltimore Presbytery. She graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2002 after a 23-year career in nursing. She served as a seminary intern at First and Franklin in 2001-2002. She served for thirteen years as pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church in Mitchellville, MD. She is currently the parish associate at Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church in Crofton, MD. She is also a trustee in Baltimore Presbytery. She lives in Odenton, MD with her husband, Mike, who is a palliative care physician. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren (if she does say so herself). When she’s not playing with grandchildren, she enjoys reading, music, walking, friends, and staying engaged in ministry.