tenebrae

tenebrae

The office of Tenebrae is an adaptation of a service that was used in the early church. It is a meditation on the shadows that gradually grew darker and finally enveloped Christ in darkness as he journeyed towards the Cross. The service is therefore in a restrained and solemn mood. Readings from scripture are interspersed with music and periods of silence. This is a service I'm working on for our Lent/Easter season. Each of the eight movements through the shadows of anguish, humiliation, separation and death will be played out through scripture readings, music, dramatic action and silence. We are marrying together the richness of our choral music with the alt*worship tradition - taking ancient ideas and re-engaging with them by putting them into contemporary clothes. New Testament readings, and other possibilities like - Isaac Newton and Gesualdo will sit side by side with Taize, Brian Eno, barbed wire and candles, fairy lights and red paint and who knows what else ...

One candle after another will be put out as the sight of the darkness closing in on Jesus. In retracing the steps of Jesus towards the Cross we will meditate on his obedience to God. We also think of our own life of sacrifice for Christ and those for whom he died. “If any person will come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross and follow me. Whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it.”

Tenebrae - A Service of Shadows

If you have any ideas for this let me know!

Fall Down Laughter...

Well, after a wonderful weekend retreat at Lakeside Bible Camp as the speaker, and being able to take a break from my normal work routine this has been an extended weekend. And as I love vacations and retreats, it is always that return home/work where you are reminded of the realities of the things left behind. Clients to meet with, walls to paint, cribs to put together, worship sets to plan, youth group nights to organize, etc. Sometimes that overwhelming feeling is easily dealt with by the use/experience of laughter. So free of change and thanks to one of my wonderful student/leaders Mary here is something for your heart and soul to laugh about!

Make sure your speakers are up! Click here FUN SONG

Enjoy!

The Message & U2

Here is a great article/interview with Eugene Peterson on his thoughts on Bono, U2, and what he sees as a prophetic voice to our culture. Those of you who don't know Eugene Peterson, he is the translator of "THE MESSAGE" a contemporary translation of the Bible. He is also a retired pastor of 32 years, and a prof at Regent Seminary in Vancouver BC. He has written a ton of wonderful books one of my favorites being "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction." Anyways this is a great article. Thanks to Ben Gezon for the link.

Click here to read. The Message & U2

Cool story...

Have you been keeping up on the Olympics? Well I found this very cool story about Kelly Clark one of the best female snowboarders in the world. It is pretty cool to see how she is expressing herself in the midst of a media minded, product driven, world-wide audience. You can read the article by clicking here....

KELLY CLARK STORY

Nacho Libre...

Unexplainable...

Just something you...

Have got to see for yourself...

click here: NACHOLIBRE

Even Better...

Seeing is believing.

The previous post about Bono's words at the National Prayer Breakfast version 1.2. If you are not a reader click here to watch and listen to Bono share!

It is awesome!

BONO VID

BONO'S REMARKS TO THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

If you didn't know Bono got to speak to everyone at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. If you have not read his speech/plea/prayer/vision/challenge/message, you have got to take some time to do so.

Click here to read it... Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Attention Lovers of Death Cab For Cutie...

11 songs, 11 videos, 11 directors, all for your enjoyment...

click hear DCFCdirections

It's Official...

Here it is the year 2006, and I have my own blog, my family with a baby on the way, I even have my own business www.richardsclafani.com but what I realized I was without was my very own myspace account. I will be honest in that I had my reasons for this. The number one being the new statistic that says around 70% of the people that use it are in fact pedifiles. The bottom line is that it like much of the incredibly creative things God has made it can be used in a way that is beautiful and glorifying or it can be used for something very bad.

I have been blessed to have some wonderful people in my life and I don't get to see or hear from them very often, and now I can thanks to myspace.

So let it be known! It is official! I now have my very own myspace account. If you have one, and would like to be one of my friends I'd love that! [And just a note, if you can, tell me how to get and receive myspace/friends to your own account] I'm kind of hurtin' in that department so far. Anyways, enough of that. Click here to check it out! Rich's Myspace

New Website + New Business...

If you didn't know I have started my own private counseling practice. I am registered with the state of Washington as a Mental Health Therapist/Counselor. I just got my official master business license in the mail and all of my insurance. So it is official! I have my own business which means I am my own boss.

With it I hope and pray that I can help people live authentic lives through whatever life throws their way. I'd love your thoughts on my new site [as of two days ago] you can see it by going to www.richardsclafani.com. And if you know anyone that might be in need of some counseling any referrals would be much appreciated.

Thanks for all of your support!

Rich

New Music...

Hey all,

I just thought I would throw down some links to music done by two people and I know and love.

Aaron Spiro this is his myspace page, but it has two new songs on it that are incredible. He is playing a gig this weekend that if you can you have got to go! I've known Aaron since I was in the 5th grade and my life has never been the same!

and

Andrew Platter this is a podcast of an interview he recently did and you can hear some of his new stuff as well. If you want to hear the whole album click here HOME. I have known Andrew and his music since he was about 16 and now he's 26. I am very excited to see where God take him.

Listen and enjoy...

Wax On Wax Hoff...

Remember Knight Rider with KITT and Michael Knight (played by the ever so talented David Hassalhoff)? Well then maybe you need to check out this site...

WAXONWAXHOFF

Chronicles of Narnia...

So last week there was a great skit/video on Saturday Night Live on the Chronicles of Narnia. I was on the floor in pain from all of the laughter. It is a great example of different cultures mixing together - rap, the movie itself, the actions of preparing to go to movie, and humor. Thanks to the great Erin Hanson for the link!

Click here to enjoy...

To dance or not to dance...

It has been some time since my last blog. I have been crazy busy with work, planning Advent and Christmas services, getting my new house in order, and preparing for a baby! Yep! The Sclafani's are having a little bambino! Can you believe it! I wish I had the time to tell everyone in person, but I don't! So if you didn't know...now you do!

So you can see why it has been a bit difficult finding time to blog.

With all that has been going on things have been exciting and tiring. One thing I have found is that dancing is a great form of expression - even when you feel as if you cannot dance. There is something about the physical movement of the body and it's ability to give praise as David danced before the Lord! Well I am not much of a dancer, but sometimes it is out of my control and when I found out about the miracle of this new baby I couldn't stop! My dance wasn't one of great skill or technique, but one of praise, awe, and glory to God!

It felt so good to do! I hope and pray that this holiday season might bring you wonderful times in which you can do nothing but dance for joy!

And with that...

Here is a little something for you to laugh at that has some "impressive" dance moves! Just click the link below and enjoy!

"DANCE CLIP"

Clark Griswald Eat Your Heart Out!

It's that time of year when the house gets decorated with all things Christmas. And in Lynnwood sometimes it can get a little over the top. Now that we live in Seattle we thought we would bring a little Lynnwood to our new hood. Click here to see our home video of our house at Christmas time HOUSE LIGHTS!

Enjoy!

Body Prayer Pt. 1

I have just started reading a book by Doug Pagitt called Body Prayer The Posture of Intimacy with God. It has to do with the idea of connecting with God with your body [physically] and your soul [spiritually/relationally] Last night we at The Mix! tryed the "prayer of willingness." This is when you stand, leanning over at the waist as far as you can without moving your feet, letting your sholders, arms, neck, and head all fall forward and hang very loosely - kind of like a ragdoll. The ideas is that of allowing our body to physically represent are willingness to submet to God. The students were excited to learn something new with prayer. It took a bit to get people focused, but overall I thing this is going to be a great book for exploring new ways to connect with God. Here is the prayer that we prayed together [which is also from the book]...

In the Extraordinary that is you,
I breathe.
I breathe and I bend.
I breathe and I bend and I dream
Of seeing your will clearly,
Of following you easily,
Of hearing
Finales to the world's worries
And beginnings to untold stories
Until those whispers are rumbled,
When they resound as Truth echoed by all cells,
I submit to you.

Bono and U2 ask God some Tough Questions

Here is another article about U2 and their faith. I thought it was interesting. Especially Bono's thoughts on faith lived out with or without social action. It also has Bono's take/explanation about the meaning of the song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Check it out by clicking here u2 article.

Speaking of relevant...

If you have not read the headline interview of Bono in the latest issues of Rollingstone Magazine you have got to. There is a whole section on spirituality, his upbringing, his musical influences, and more. In other words, this interview looks at Bono's culture, his soul, and the influence the Biblical text and Christian Church has had on him. It is quite facinating! You can read it by clicking here
BONO INERVIEW.

Relevant

Hey if you have not experienced Relevant Magazine I highly recommend it, but even better is there website! I have had a subscription to there magazine for two years now and love it. Both the site and magazine have great news, articles, resources for spiritual thought and contemplation. They also have great reviews on movies, music, books, and more. But the newest thing they have added is Relevant TV. It is a great way to learn new music, see the videos, and it it much better than kcms. So far this morning, as I write I heard/saw U2, Reliant K, Postal Service, Coldplay, and David Crowder. And what is really cool is that you can have Relavant TV on while you continue your web surfing! Anyways, that is enough of a plug. I hope you like it. You can go to it by clicking here RELEVANT.

I WANT IT THAT WAY!

The newest boy band it out! Have you seen there new video? Talk about the effects of culture! Turn up the volume on your computer, CLICK HERE, and enjoy!