Maundy Thursday: Commandments & Promises
This Service for Maundy Thursday focuses on the commandments and promises of Jesus. The congregation is drawn in as they read aloud the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in his final days with them. We are reminded that Jesus offers us both comfort and challenge, as we follow him. The responsive readings work best when not hurried. The mood should evoke remembering the last cherished words of a loved one no longer with us. Hymns cited are from the Chalice Hymnal. Leader reads regular type, congregation, bold. *=stand as able.
DIVINE WORSHIP
Maundy Thursday April 2nd, 2015
ORGAN PRELUDE Acolytes: Bringing In The Light
*GATHERING CHORUS #569 Jesus, Remember me (2-3x)
WORDS OF WELCOME and INTROIT
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Luke 22:14 and John 13:1)
*HYMN #385 An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare
TELLING THE STORY: Final Commandments and Promises (1)
And he promised them:
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
And then he told them:
Wash one another’s feet.
And Jesus smiled and promised them:
No longer do I call you servants, but I have called you friends.
And then he told them,
Let the greatest among you become as the least, and the leader as a servant.
And then he promised them:
I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.
And then he told them…
This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
SHARING THE LAST SUPPER
Communion Hymn #403 In Remembrance of Me
Prayers over the Bread and the Cup
Words of Institution and Sharing of the Elements
Anthem
PRAYING WITH JESUS (from John 17)
Jesus, you prayed that we might be one, even as you are one with God.
May we join you in your prayer tonight: Make us one.
You prayed for our weary, violence-torn world.
May we join you in your prayer tonight: Bring us peace.
You prayed for your church—for your beloved in every age and place,
for those who are persecuted, and for those who have found refuge among your people,
for those whose faith shines brightly, and for those who are still searching.
May we join you in your prayer tonight:
Give your church joy; make us holy through the truth that guides us.
Jesus, you prayed for those who will be led to you by the kindness of our deeds,
and the humility of our lives, through our courage and our generous hearts.
You prayed for those who are drawn to you, because we showed the way.
May we join you in your prayer tonight: Make us enticing examples of life worth living.
Jesus you prayed that we might be united with you, in a glorious meeting of heart and mind.
May we join in your prayer tonight:
Let the love which was in you, be in us, now and always. Amen.
*HYMN #433 Blest be the Tie that Binds.
TELLING THE STORY: Final Commandments and Promises (2)
And then he promised them:
The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all I have said to you.
And then he told them:
Believe in God, believe also in me.
And then he promised them:
In my Father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you.
And then he told them:
If you love me, keep my commandments.
And then he promised them:
I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.
And then he told them:
Abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.
And then he promised them
Because I live, you will live also.
And then he told them:
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.
And then he promised them:
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy
And then he told them:
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
And then he promised them:
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you.
*HYMN #428 An Upper Room with Evening Lamps Aglow
BENEDICTION and CHORAL RESPONSE
POSTLUDE Taking Out The Light
© Rev. Martha B. Peck, 2015
