Valinor Retreat Center

Good Friday Tenebrae Service

A Service of Shadow & Light
Friday, April 3, 2026 · 7:00 PM · Santa Barbara
Valinor chapel at golden hour
The Evening

Where golden hour meets
sacred silence

The service begins during golden hour and transitions into darkness as the sun sets behind the mountains. Candlelight fills the room. Seven stations walk through the final hours of Jesus' life, each read aloud from the Gospels. After each reading, a candle is extinguished.

Live acoustic worship weaves between the stations, led by Hunter Plake. As the room grows darker and the sun sets over the Santa Barbara mountains, the service moves toward its close with communion — offered to all.

After the service, you're invited to the town square for dessert, coffee, and tea under the string lights. A space to sit, breathe, and be together.

The Flow
6:30 PM

Doors open. Arrive and settle into the space.

7:00 PM

The service begins. Seven readings from the Gospels. After each, a candle is extinguished. Acoustic worship woven throughout.

~8:00 PM

Communion is served. Dessert, coffee, and tea in the town square under the string lights.

Town Square Property
Hunter Plake
Worship
Hunter Plake
Leading Worship

Hunter Plake leads us in acoustic worship throughout the evening, weaving music between each station as the room moves from light into shadow. His sound is warm, reflective, and deeply suited to the contemplative heart of this service.

Seven Stations of the Cross

A candle extinguished
for each reading

  1. The Betrayal
  2. The Garden
  3. The Accusation
  4. The Verdict
  5. The Cross
  6. The Death
  7. The Burial

The service closes with communion, offered to all.
Then — dessert, coffee, and conversation under the string lights.

Valinor overlook
What to Know

Details

Date & Time Friday, April 3, 2026
Doors at 6:30 PM · Service at 7:00 PM
Location Valinor Retreat Center
1964 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara
Parking Available on-site — upper lot and lower lot by the sports center
Attire Dress comfortably
Gathering Private, invitation-only
Limited to approximately 100 guests
Families Children are welcome