MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP

April 5, 2007                                                                                              7:00 p.m.

PRELUDE

GATHERING

ONE:  Return to the Lord, the God of all mercies, for a feast of love has been prepared for his own.

ALL:  I will bless the Lord at all times.  His praise shall be continually in my mouth.

ONE:  O taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

ALL:  Happy are those who take refuge in God.

ONE:  Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt God’s name together!

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.  Amen.

HYMN  275              “God Of Our Life”

PREPARATION FOR THE LAST SUPPER

On the first day of the week, our Lord had gone again to Jerusalem, as was the custom.  He spent the week teaching and praying, scolding the scribes and pharisees, lamenting over the fate of Jerusalem, and driving the corrupt money-changers out of the Temple.  He knew they would come for him soon.  But now it was time for them to eat the Passover meal together.

Now, on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying,  “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”  He said, “Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”   (Matthew 26: 17-19)

And when the hour came, Jesus sat at table, and the apostles with him.  (It was the custom for the leader to wash his hands, as a symbol of sanctification.)  But he laid aside his garments and girded himself with a towel.  Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”  Jesus answered him,  “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet!”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.”  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”  (John 13:4-9)

Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you,” for he knew who was to betray him. . .  When he had washed their feet, he took his garments, resumed his place, and said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.  Truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.”  (John 13:11-16). 

THE LAST SUPPER

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

ANTHEM                “For the Bread Which You Have Broken”                          Larson

Tonight the Lord’s Supper will be by Intinction.  Everyone is welcome to  partake.  Come forward, as you are able, down the center aisle, take a  piece of bread, dip it in the cup, then put it in your mouth, and return to  your place.  Remain seated if you wish to be served.

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mt. 26:30)

SOLO                                       “Thy Will Be Done”                                           Eilers

thE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

THE FIRST WORD

Luke 23:32-34

HYMN  102  “Were You There?” (Verse 1)

 

THE SECOND WORD

Luke 23:39-43

Hymn 93  “Ah, Holy Jesus”

 

THE THIRD WORD

John 19:25b-27

HYMN  101  “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

 

THE FOURTH WORD

Mark 15:33-34

ANTHEM  “Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs”   Carter

 

THE FIFTH WORD

John 19:28-29

HYMN 92  “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

 

THE SIXTH WORD

John 19:30

ANTHEM  “There's a Cross for ME”  Wagner

 

THE SEVENTH WORD

Luke 23:44-46

ANTHEM  “Worthy Is the Lamb”   Wilson

There is no benediction this night; there are no words of hope or comfort until Easter morning.  Leave in silence; watch, and wait for the morning.