Maundy Thursday
March 20, 2008
A Glimpse into God’s History,
Communion
and Service of Shadows
MAUNDY THURSDAY MEAL AND SERVICE
THE WASHING OF HANDS
“Clean hands and a clean heart” (Psalm 24:4).
WELCOME “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
LIGHTING OF CANDLES
UNISON BLESSING: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us in life, and who has preserved us and enabled us to reach this season. You are the source of all true light; we light our festival candles in your name.
PASTORAL CALL TO GATHER Luke 22: 15-16
GATHERING PRAYER, with Lord's Prayer (using "debts")
*HYMN “Who Would Ever Have Believed It?” Hymnal #213
*RESPONSIVE CALL TO COMMITMENT
L: You who call upon the name of Christ, we are gathered to recall the story of the night in which Jesus Christ was betrayed. Are you prepared to come to the table of Jesus Christ, whose life was poured out for you?
P: By the grace of God, we are.
L: Are you able to watch with Jesus at prayer in the garden, indeed, to struggle within yourselves to be in unity with God's will?
P: By the grace of God, we are.
L: Will you follow Jesus even into the night of betrayal?
P: By the grace of God, we will.
L: Then let us praise God, even in this hour of darkness!
All: God of all grace and steadfast love, greatly is your name to be praised in all the earth!
HYMN “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”
“Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree?”
“Were you there when they laid Him in the grave?”
GOD’S PROMISE THROUGH THE DARKNESS
Isaiah 9:2 John 12: 44-47
*HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Hymnal #197
Thank you for coming this evening—especially thank you to those who participated.
As you depart this evening, go quietly. Hold close to your hearts the darkness of death and the depth of love exhibited in the events we have remembered this evening.
HOPES AND FEARS
Four events in the history of God’s people point to our Savior:
Behold! The Lamb of God!
The Veil in the
Elijah—the Messenger
At-One-Ment
A NEW COMMANDMENT John 13: 3-11, 33-35
UNISON CONFESSION
O Christ, in your presence we discover who we are. You wash our feet, and we learn how reluctant we are to serve one another. Even as you prepare to give yourself for the sake of the world, we are still seeking promotions and possessions. Our love scarcely suffices to fulfill the requirements of good manners, and yet you invite us to eat with you at this table. Forgive us and help us to value your presence more dearly. Forgive us as we put on blinders and then complain to you of the great darkness.
Forgive us when we deny knowing you by our wrong deeds and angry words and sometimes by our lack of action. Forgive us as we struggle alone when you are so willing to be beside us. Comfort us with the assurance of your forgiveness; strengthen us with the power of this meal; encourage us with the joy of your presence.
Help us to follow your mandate to show our love for one another. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
LORD'S SUPPER A new Covenant
Words of Institution
Sharing of the Bread and Cup
(all believers in Jesus Christ
are invited to partake
in this sacred meal)
OUR CHALLENGE AND OUR COMMITMENT
Eat. Drink. Remember who I am.
Eat. Drink. Remember who I am, so you can
remember who you are.
Eat. Drink. Remember who I am, so you can
remember who you are and tell others.
Eat. Drink. Remember who I am, so you can
remember who you are and tell others,
so that all God’s people can live in communion…
holy communion.
(Ann Weems Kneeling in
HYMN “Go To Dark
SERVICE OF SHADOWS (Office of Tenebrae)
Prediction of betrayal John 13: 21-30
Praying in the garden Matthew 26: 36-46
The arrest Luke 22: 47-53
The council of Caiaphas Mark 14: 53-65
The denial by Peter Luke 22: 54-62
The appearance before Herod Luke 23: 6-11
The trial before Pilate Mark 15: 1-15
The crucifixion Luke 23: 26, 32-43 John 19: 25-27
Matthew 27: 45,46 Luke 23: 44-46
Tonight’s service seems unfinished—as well it is. This evening’s service is only one part of our remembrance of the events of Holy Week. Thank God we know better than those first disciples, who thought that the tomb was the END of the story.
Long ago, Jesus asked His disciples: "could you not watch with Me for one hour?" You are invited to come to the church any time tomorrow between 1-3PM and 5-6 PM and spend an hour with Jesus. There will be someone in the church at all times. There will be a guide booklet of suggestions for your prayers and meditations.
At 6PM, there will be a short service to remember this day of days.
Be sure to return for the grand celebration of the REST of the story on Easter morning. Invite someone to come with you to hear the greatest news ever to develop from a tragedy.
The insert in tonight’s bulletin shows the probable route that Jesus took after He and His disciples left the Upper Room after celebrating the Passover meal together. The story reminds us that Easter started on Good Friday and that all the events were part of God’s plan of salvation. Please use this insert sometime during your observance of God’s Friday—make the day different by walking more closely with Jesus.