A MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE

(INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF THE TENEBRAE)

Maundy Thursday Service PDF

THE GREETING

WE GREET EACH OF YOU, OUR MEMBERS AND OUR FRIENDS, IN THE MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. WE PRAY THAT THIS SERVICE WILL HAVE SPECIAL MEANING DURING THIS MOST HOLY TIME OF THE YEAR.

THE CALL TO WORSHIP

WE GATHER TOGETHER, VIRTUALLY, AS PEOPLE OF THE NEW COVENANT WHICH IS SEALED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

LET US PRAISE GOD THE FATHER FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.

LET US PRAISE JESUS WHO ATONED FOR OUR SINS ONCE AND FOR ALL ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY.

LET US PRAISE THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO BRINGS TO REMEMBERNCE THE TRUTHS OF GOD’S HOLY WORD.

LET US PRAISE GOD FOR HIS ETERNAL REDEMPTION.

LET US DEDICATE THIS SERVICE TO THE MEMORY AND PRAISE OF OUR LORD’S SACRIFICIAL LOVE FOR US. AMEN.

THE PROLOGUE

ON THIS NIGHT, CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD

GAVE HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WOULD SLAY HIM.

ON THIS NIGHT, CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD,

GATHERED HIS DISCIPLES IN THE UPPER ROOM FOR THE PASCHAL MEAL.

ON THIS NIGHT, CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD, TOOK A TOWEL AND WASHED HIS DISCIPLES’ FEET.

ON THIS NIGHT, CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD, GAVE US AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE HUMILITY.

ON THIS NIGHT, CHRIST, THE LAMB OF GOD, GAVE US AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE SHOULD TREAT ONE ANOTHER, EVEN OUR ENEMIES.

WE GATHER, VIRTUALLY, IN THE SHADOW OF JESUS’ SUFFERING AND DEATH.

WE REMEMBER ONCE AGAIN THIS STORY OF SERVICE AND BETRAYAL, OF WEAKNESS AND COURAGE, OF HUMAN HATRED AND DIVINE LOVE IN ACTION.

THE EVENING INVOCATION

LET US PRAY.

ALMIGHTY GOD, MAY WE OFFER YOU PURE AND SPOTLESS WORSHIP. PLEASE PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS THAT WE MAY WORSHIP YOU IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. WE THANK YOU FOR THE VIRTUAL GATHERING OF OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME OF SHARING FAITH AND REMEMBRANCE OF JESUS’ SAVING WORK ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY. AMEN.

LET US HEAR THE FIRST SCRIPTURAL READING AND COMMENTARY FROM JOHN 3:14-21 (KJV)

(14) AND AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP:

(15) THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

(16) FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.

(17) FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.

(18) HE THAT BELIEVETH ON HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED: BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT ON HIM IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, BECAUSE HE HATH NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.

(19) AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION THAT LIGHT IS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN LOVE DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL.

(20) FOR EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL HATETH LIGHT, NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED.

(21) BUT HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST, THAT THEY ARE WROUGHT IN GOD.

THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

LET US HEAR THIS COMMENTARY.

WHEN GOD LOVES, HE LOVES THE WHOLE WORLD.

WHEN GOD GAVE, HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.

WHEN GOD SAVES, HE SAVES FOREVER.

I EXTINGUISHED THE FLAME OF THIS CANDLE BECAUSE JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WILL SOON BE CRUCIFIED AND HIS LIGHT SHALL BE TEMPORARILY EXTINGUISHED. WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT ON THE THIRD DAY THE LIGHT WILL SHINE AGAIN, BRIGHTER THAN BEFORE.

(THE READER EXTINGUISHES THE CANDLE.)

LET US MEDITATE AS WE HEAR THE SPIRITUAL CALVARY.

CALVARY-RECORDED

LET US HEAR THE SECOND SCRIPTURAL LESSON AND COMMENTARY FROM  ROMANS 5:1-8 (KJV)

(1) THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

(2) BY WHOM ALSO WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND, AND REJOICE IN HOPE OF GLORY OF GOD.

(3) AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE;

(4) AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE:

(5) AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.

(6) FOR WHEN WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH, IN DUE TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY.

(7) FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE: YET PERADVENTURE FOR A GOOD MAN SOME WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE.

(8) BUT GOD COMMENDED HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.

THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

LET US HEAR THIS COMMENTARY.

CHRIST LIVED A SINLESS LIFE IN THIS SINFUL WORLD. NOTHING COULD ENTICE HIM TO COMMIT A SIN. EVEN ON THE CROSS HE NEVER SAID ANYTHING DISTASTFUL OR DEROGATORY TO THE ROMAN SOLDIERS OR TO THOSE WHO MOCKED HIM. HE LIVED A SINLESS LIFE FROM HIS BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM TO HIS ASCENSION FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.

I EXTINGUISH THE FLAME OF THIS CANDLE BECAUSE JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WILL SOON BE CRUCIFIED AND HIS LIGHT SHALL BE TEMPORARILY EXTINGUISHED. WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT ON THE THIRD DAY HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE AGAIN, BRIGHTER THAN BEFORE.

(THE READER EXTINGUISHES THE CANDLE.)

LET US MEDITATE AS WE HEAR THE SPIRITUAL, HE NEVER SAID A MUMBLING WORD.

HE NEVER SAID A MUMBLING WORD-RECORDED

LET US HEAR THIRD SCRIPTURAL LESSON AND COMMENTARY FROM MATTHEW 26:26-30

(26) AND AS THEY WERE EATING, JESUS TOOK BREAD, AND BLESSED IT, AND BRAKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO THE DISCIPLES, AND SAID TAKE, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY.

(27) AND HE TOOK THE CUP, AND GAVE THANKS, AND GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING DRINK YE ALL OF IT;

(28) FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.

(29) BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, I WILL NOT DRINK HENCEFORTH OF THIS FRUIT OF THE VINE, UNTIL THAT DAY WHEN I DRINK IT NEW WITH YOU IN MY FATHER’S KINGDOM.

(30) AND WHEN THEY HAD SUNG AN HYMN, THEY WENT OUT INTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.

THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

LET US HEAR THIS COMMENTARY.

OUR FOREPARENTS WERE WELL AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER. THEY WERE ALSO AWARE OF THE BENEFIT OF UNITY. THUS, THEY WOULD SING LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER ON OUR KNEES.

THEY WERE PAINFULLY AWARE OF THE RESTRICTIONS OF SLAVERY AND DISCRIMINATION. THEY WERE EVEN EXCLUDED FROM CERTAIN RELIGIOUS SERVICES. THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO THEIR HEAVENLY HOME WHERE THEY COULD SIT AT THE WELCOME TABLE WITH JESUS.

  

I EXTINGUISH THE FLAME OF THIS CANDLE BECAUSE JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, WILL SOON BE CRUCIFIED AND HIS LIGHT SHALL BE TEMPORARILY EXTINGUISHED. WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT ON THE THIRD DAY THE LIGHT WILL SHINE AGAIN, BRIGHTER THAN EVER.

(THE READER EXTINGUISHES THE CANDLE.)

LET US MEDITATE AS WE HEAR THE WELCOME TABLE MEDLEY.

THE WELCOME TABLE MEDLEY-RECORDED

COMMUNION RITUAL

PREAMBLE

WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO SUP AT THE LORD’S TABLE.

WE DO NOT COME TO THIS TABLE BECAUSE WE ARE GOOD, BUT BECAUSE GOD IS TRULY GOOD TO HIS CHILDREN.

WE DO NOT COME TO THIS TABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SINNED, BUT RATHER BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS.

WE DO NOT COME TO THIS TABLE BECAUSE WE ARE STRONG, BUT BECAUSE HIS STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS.

THE COMMUNION MEAL IS THE MEMORIAL OF THE CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD. IT IS A SACRED SIGN OF HIS SACRIFICE, ACCOMPLISHED ONCE AND FOR ALL ON THE CROSS AND STILL OPERATIVE TODAY ON BEHALF OF ALL HUMANKIND. MOREOVER, IT IS NOT ONLY A CALLING TO MIND OF WHAT IS PAST AND PRESENT, BUT ALSO AN EFFECTIVE PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S PROMISES AND A FORETASTE OF HIS FINAL KINGDOM.

LET US COME IN GRATITUDE AND IN WONDER, TO OFFER OURSELVES IN WORSHIP. LET US COME JOYFULLY, YET SOLEMNLY TO THIS GRACIOUS MEAL AND OFFER GOD THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.

APOSTLES’ CREED

I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

AND IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OUR LORD;

WHO WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY GHOST, BORN OF VIRGIN MARY;

SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED; HE DESCENDED INTO HELL;

THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD;

HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY;

FROM THENCE HE SHALL COME TO JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD.

I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST;

THE HOLY, UNIVERSAL CHURCH; THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS;

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS;

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY;

AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER OF CONFESSION

MOST MERCIFUL GOD, WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU, IN THOUGHTS, IN WORDS, AND IN DEEDS. WE HAVE SINNED IN WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND IN WHAT WE HAVE LEFT UNDONE. WE ARE TRULY SORRY AND HUMBLY REPENT OF OUR SINS. HAVE MERCY ON US AND FORGIVE US; THAT WE MAY DELIGHT IN YOUR WILL, AND WALK IN YOUR WAY.

GRANT THAT WE MAY HONESTLY EXAMINE OURSELVES WITH THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MOST MERCIFUL GOD, FROM WHOM NO SECRETS CAN BE HIDDEN, AND TO WHOM ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN AND ALL DESIRES KNOWN, PLEASE CLEANSE US, NOW, FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT WE MAY PARTAKE WORTHILY OF THIS MEAL. THIS PRAYER WE ASK IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. AMEN.

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION OF VESSELS AND ELEMENTS

LORD, YOU TAKE MUNDANE THINGS AND DEPLOY THEM IN A SACRED WAY.

LORD, YOU TAKE ORDINARY ITEMS AND USE THEM TO DISPLAY YOUR GLORY.

LORD, YOU TAKE COMMON ARTIFACTS AND CONVEY YOUR ETERNAL LOVE FOR US.

LORD, YOU TAKE THE HANDS OF YOUR HUMBLE SERVANTS AND USE THEM TO DO YOUR SACRED WILL.

TAKE NOW, O LORD, THE COMMON INGREDIENTS OF MANY KITCHENS, CONTAINED IN COMMON HOUSEHOLD VESSELS, HELD BY HOLY HANDS AND CONSECRATE THEM FOR THE SACRED PURPOSE OF HOLY COMMUNION.

JUST AS YOU CONVERT SINNERS INTO SAINTS, CONSECRATE AND CONVERT THESE KITCHEN UTENSILS INTO SACRED VESSELS.

CONVERT THE BREAD AND LIBATIONS INTO SACRED ELEMENTS.

YOU MEET US THROUGH YOUR WORD!

YOU MEET US THROUGH THE UNCTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

PLEASE MEET US NOW, IN OUR HOMES AND IN THIS SANCTUARY THROUGH THE SACRED ELEMENTS OF COMMUNION.

IN JESUS’ NAME A GREAT AMEN!

PRAYER FOR THE BREAD

HOLY GOD, YOU FILL THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS, SO WE BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THIS BREAD. IN IT WE REMEMBER THE BROKEN BODY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. IN IT WE ALSO REMEMBER OUR OWN BROKENNESS AND PRAY THAT YOU WILL COME AND FILL US WITH YOUR HEALING POWER. AS HIS BODY WAS BROKEN, SO MAY THE BONDS OF OUR SIN BE BROKEN. AS HE WAS RAISED FROM DEATH, SO MAY WE BE RAISED, DAILY, TO THE NEWNESS OF LIFE BY THE POWER OF HIM, IN WHOM WE LIVE, MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.  WE PRAISE YOUR NAME! AMEN!

PRAYER FOR THE CUP

HOLY GOD, OUR SOULS MAGNIFY YOU. WE MAGNIFY YOU INDEED. WE PRAY FOR THIS CUP AS WE REMEMBER THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS. WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK UPON US WITH FAVOR. AS WE LIFT THIS CUP AND TASTE THE SWEETNESS OF ITS CONTENT, OUR SPIRITS REJOICE IN YOU. HELP US TO DRINK WITH GRATITUDE, KNOWING THAT EACH TIME WE COME TO THIS TABLE, WE ARE INVITED TO COMMIT ANEW OUR HEARTS AND OUR LIVES TO CHRISTIAN SERVICE. WE PRAISE YOUR NAME! AMEN!

RECAPITULATION

BY GOD’S GRACE OUR SOULS HAVE BEEN FED, BY HIS BODY AND THE BLOOD WHICH WAS SHED. TOO SOON WE RISE, THE SYMBOLS PASSING. TOO SOON THE FEAST IS ENDED. TOO SOON THE BREAD IS CONSUMED; TOO SOON THE WINE IS SPENT. THE FEAST THOUGH NOT THE LOVE IS ENDED. GONE ARE THE SYMBOLS OF HIS BODY. GONE ARE THE EMBLEMS OF HIS BLOOD. BUT HIS PRESENCE LINGERS NEAR. HIS PRESENCE LINGERS HERE. HIS PRESENCE WILL ABIDE WITH US FOREVER. AMEN.

THEY SANG A HYMN AND WENT TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. LET US CONCLUDE THIS SERVICE WITH THE HEARING OF THE HYMN, HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT AND SAW MY NEED.

HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT AND SAW MY NEED. RECORDED

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