Maundy Thursday April 1, 2021

GATHERING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (ELW p. 258) Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord’s call to struggle against sin, death, and the devil—all that keeps us from loving God and each other. This is the struggle to which we were called at baptism.

Within the community of the church, God never wearies of forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

GREETING (ELW p. 259) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (ELW p. 259) Let us pray. Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WORD - God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song. FIRST READING: Exodus 12:1-14 A reading from Exodus. Israel remembered its deliverance from slavery in Egypt by celebrating the festival of Passover. This festival featured the Passover lamb, whose blood was used as a sign to protect God’s people from the threat of death. The early church described the Lord’s supper using imagery from the Passover, especially in portraying Jesus as the lamb who delivers God’s people from sin and death. 1The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to

the number of people who eat of it. 5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13) 1I love the Lord, who has heard my voice, and listened to my supplication, 2for the Lord has given ear to me whenever I called. 12How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things God has done for me? 13I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 14I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people. 15Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your servants. 16O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me | from my bonds. 17I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord. 18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people, 19in the courts of the Lord‘s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 A reading from 1 Corinthians. In the bread and cup of the Lord’s supper, we experience intimate fellowship with Christ and with one another because it involves his body given for us and the new covenant in his blood. Faithful participation in this meal is a living proclamation of Christ’s death until he comes in the future. 23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

CHILDREN'S SERMON

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (ELW p. 260) Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and abounding in steadfast love.

GOSPEL: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. The story of the last supper in John’s gospel recalls a remarkable event not mentioned elsewhere: Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for one another. 1Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” 31b“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON (ELW p. 260)

I’m so grateful that, compared to a year ago today, there is much more about our celebration that seems “familiar” or “normal” to us. We are gathering in person. We are able to have Communion. Yes, there are still traditions we are not going to be able to partake in today, but, for me, the joy I am feeling about getting to celebrate with our First Communion students outweighs all of that. As we will experience in a few minutes, our First Communion students will receive Communion in relatively the traditional manner and we are grateful for this blessing and gift. For the rest of you, you will receive Communion in the pre-packaged cups as we are still working to keep each other safe. In other words…I saw this meme a few weeks ago and it did, literally, make me LOL. But in true fashion for a preacher, as the humor wore off, it caused me to become introspective, and, of course, find a sermon message to glean from it (this is the goal in all things for pastors…especially during Lent).

First, as we talked about as a First Communion class, this meme is a good reminder that the realness and power of Communion isn’t about the dishwear we do or do not have. We generally pull out our finest “Sunday best” type dishes, if you will, to remind ourselves of the amazing grace and love that is poured out for us in this meal. I’m grateful for those who make that happen. But, over the years, I have had Communion with crackers and juice, because that was what we could find in the kitchen. I’ve celebrated Communion with wine and tortillas, because that was the cultural custom. I’ve used gold plated Communion ware, ceramic, paper plates, kitchen plates and a hospital tray. I’ve communed with thousands, with hundreds and with one person. I’ve communed wearing a clerical collar, dressed up and after a day of working or playing outside in athletics shorts and a t-shirt. And it’s all been real. Though the liturgy, the altar and the traditions we hold may have meaning and help us see Christ’s great holiness and provision for us, it is through Christ’s power that Communion becomes a holy mystery, an embodiment of God’s loving grace for us. As we celebrate in this unusual way today, may this be a reminder for us. As an officiant, as I told the First Communion students, I do not have “magical hands.” I’m not the host of the meal, really, either. I’m simply like the servant at a dinner party, keeping things going, maintaining order and ensuring that all are equally welcomed and celebrated at this feast. This meal isn’t about me or real because of me either. This meal is true and real because Christ is true and real in this sacred time and space for us. Likewise, for all of you as students, may this be a message that you keep in your hearts throughout your lives. Wherever you commune, with whomever you commune, whatever physical, mental or emotional state you show up for communion in…it’s still real….because Christ promises to meet you in the meal, no matter what.

Likewise, this year, one element about our unusual Communion packaging; I’ve appreciated is that we have been better able to Commune at the same time. For some traditions, this is how Communion is always done because the reality that people Commune at the same time is so significant. Today, we’ll commune in a couple different times, a few servings of this Great Feast if you will and, that’s what it always is. Rarely can we get all of us up here at the same time, but, in fact, we are always Communing together. The power of this meal is in Christ’s presence and, also Christ’s ability to unite us in the table. For me, watching you all take Communion at the same time has been a good reminder that we are all at this table together. Those who have never entered our sanctuary before, and those who are there every week. Those who feel renewed and those who feel crushed. The people we love more than anything and the people who are driving us more crazy than we ever thought possible. We are all at the same table every week, and, through Christ’s power, we are united in this meal. In this past year, we have been more intentional, too, about consecrating Communion to bring to those who have not returned to worship. For me, this has been a visual reminder that the

Communion that takes place throughout the week in homes, hospitals and facilities are like an extension of our meal together. And, even beyond this, we celebrate that in this meal, Christians are united throughout the world. We never could get around the same table at the same time and we won’t be physically taking Communion at the same time, but somehow, as part of that holy mystery, we are united in faith together. For those of you taking First Communion tonight, know that we are your family, both through your baptism and also in this holy meal. Wherever life takes you, wherever you end up communing in life, there is always a seat at this table for you to come home to, and, wherever you go, we will always still be feasting with you, trusting that Christ is still uniting us in a truer, deeper way than we can even understand.

Likewise, I found myself resonating with this meme and this concept that it would be a meal for a “sinner on the go.” Throughout our First Communion time, we’ve learned about the First last supper, its connections to the Passover, God’s provision for people throughout time and more. We’ve learned what this meal and ways we can help ourselves center and focus on this meal. But, the truth is, none of us are worthy of this meal. You can go to Bible Study every week, become a pastor, serve on council, fast, pray and do any number of things, and you won’t be worthy of this meal. Because we are all just sinners, coming to the table of grace. As Rachel Held Evans writes in her book, “Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church, “This is what God's kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry….And there's always room for more.”1 In short, it’s a meal for “sinners on the go.” May you, First Confirmation students, and all of us, frankly, remember that always. Whenever we feel unworthy, a misfit, unsure and unlovable….We come to this table anyway, knowing we will be in like company but transformed by the most gracious and loving of hosts, Jesus Christ Himself.

Last, but not least, the idea of seeing the Lord’s supper as a lunchable…To be honest, I started this sermon and deleted it several times wondering how much of a heresy this could seem like to folks. I have pictured some of my mentors shaking their heads wondering where I might be going with this one…But, there is part of me that likes the idea of seeing the Communion table as lunch. Most of the times, I think of the Communion table as being like a great, festival dinner table. In many ways it is. It’s a gathering of family. It’s special. It’s exciting. But, when I think of a dinner feast, I think of, afterwards, relaxing with family and friends, and dozing off to sleep. But, that is not what the Communion table is. The Communion table is a great gathering but one that strengthens us to go back out into the world in love and service. It’s not the end, but it’s a stop. It’s a pause to give us strength and renewal to go back out into the world. To me, that’s more like lunch. At lunch time we pause, we re-group, we re-center and we eat the food we need for the strength of the day. So, as funny as it might sound, maybe the Communion table could be more like lunch after all.

First Communion students, you have studied and learned a great deal, but I encourage you to look at this celebration today not as the end goal, but as the beginning. You are just at the beginning of a life of faith and many gatherings at the table here with us. You are also here to gain strength, love, forgiveness and hope so that you can go out and share those things with others. In short, you are kind of on a holy lunch break with us, but soon will be called back to your families, schools, church, sports and so much more so that you can share God’s grace in all of those places. May this be a reminder for all of us as we head from this place tonight.

We might look back at this year a few years from now as the year of the pre-packaged, stay in your pews, Jesus Lunchables for Communion, but my hope is that we will also look back and remember what we learned from this unusual time. May we always be able to see and trust in Christ’s presence and grace in this

1 Rachel Held Evans, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church.” Audiobook. Re- leased April 21, 2015.

meal. May we remember our unity in this meal and work to reflect the unity that God has already made true for us. May we trust that we are welcome to the table, sinners one and all. And may we remember that this meal strengthens us for all of the callings and trials we experience daily. Maundy Thursday blessings to us all.

HYMN OF THE DAY - “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” (ELW 708)

Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love

Refrain Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.

1 Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washes their feet, master who acts as a slave to them. Refrain 2 Neighbors are wealthy and poor, varied in color and race, neighbors are near us and far away. Refrain

3 These are the ones we will serve, these are the ones we will love; all these are neighbors to us and you. Refrain

4 Kneel at the feet of our friends, silently washing their feet: this is the way we will live with you. Refrain

FOOTWASHING LITURGY AND SLIDESHOW “Where Charity and Love Prevail” (TWENTY-FOURTH) (ELW 359)

On this night we have heard our Lord’s commandment to love one another as he has loved us. We who receive God’s love in Jesus Christ are called to love one another, to be servants to each other as Jesus became our servant. Our commitment to this loving service is signified in the washing of feet, following the example our Lord gave us on the night before his death. This year, we will not have a foot washing or hand washing but, instead, have viewed this as an opportunity to reflect more deeply on what it means to be a servant to each other. We will have a few readings and then we encourage you all to reflect on some of the photographs that were submitted showing people of First Lutheran serving their families, community and church in daily life. As you listen to the readings and watch the music, I encourage you to reflect on ways you can serve others and open yourselves to be served by others.

From Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”2

1 John 4:7-21 - God’s Love and Ours 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us

2 https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/66880-christ-has-no-body-now-but-yours-no-hands-no

so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Words Where Charity and Love Prevail

1 Where charity and love prevail,

there God is ever found; brought here together by Christ's love, by love we thus are bound.

2 With grateful joy and holy fear, God's charity we learn; let us with heart and mind and soul now love God in return.

3 Let us recall that in our midst dwells Christ, God's holy Son; as members of each body joined, in him we are made one.

4 Let strife among us be unknown; let all contentions cease. Be God's the glory that we seek; be his our only peace.

5 Let us forgive each other's faults as we our own confess, that we may love each other well in Christian gentleness.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION United by the servant love of God in Christ, we pray this holy night for the needs of the world.

You call your people to hand on what we receive from you. Form all the baptized into teachers of faith. From one generation to the next, give your church hunger for your promises in the sacraments and joy in receiving and sharing your word. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your creation provides all that we need. Cleanse and protect the water you have given for washing and drinking, water on which all life depends. Sustain crops and herds that provide food; teach us how to live so that there is enough for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

You redeemed your people from slavery. Preserve people throughout the world who flee violence and oppression. Establish just leadership in place of tyranny and peace in place of war. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Jesus loved his followers to the end. Grant assurance of that love to all who need it: those living with guilt, those struggling to forgive, those who are lonely or overlooked. Heal the sick and embrace the dying. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Lord, we pray for our First Communion students today. Give their families joy and celebration. Be with them as they continue to grow in their faiths. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Jesus washed the feet of the one who betrayed him. Inspire this congregation’s ministries of service, that we love as Jesus loved us. Give us renewed courage to serve. Bless the ministry of deacons throughout the church. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your glory shone in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We thank you for generations of the faithful who have proclaimed our Lord’s death. Unite us with them in hope until he comes again. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Hear these and all our prayers, O God, in the name of the one who loves us to the end, Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

MEAL

OFFERING AND CGC MOMENT

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey. Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence. Come, Holy Spirit.

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love. Come, Holy Spirit.

With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to the banquet, for all is now ready.

COMMUNION OF FIRST COMMUNION STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES *Trey Milbrath *Carter Poppema *Aaden Wagner ALL OTHERS:

COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

SENDING OF COMMUNION (ELW p. 136) Gracious God, loving all your family with a mother’s tender care: As you sent the angel to feed Elijah with heavenly bread, assist those who set forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are sick, homebound, and imprisoned. In your love and care, nourish and strengthen those who will receive this sacrament, and give us all the comfort of your abiding presence through the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection. May this sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR (ELW p. 261) Maundy Thursday – Stripping the Altar First Lutheran Church {USHERS DIM LIGHTS – MIDDLE SETTING ON REMOTE}

After the Last Supper, less than 24 hours remained in the earthly life of our Lord. As His life was stripped from Him, so we strip our altar of the signs of life to symbolize His purposeful, redemptive suffering and death for us.

1. [PALMS ARE REMOVED] Palms are a symbol of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In the passion and suffering of Christ the triumph is silence. In recognition of this we remove these palms from our altar.

2. [MISSAL STANDS & SERVICE BOOKS ARE REMOVED] The missal stand holds our worship books that guide our worship life together as we sing praises to God. As Jesus suffers, joyous songs are not heard. As these sounds of joy are removed from our lips, we remove the missal stand & altar book.

3. [COMMUNION VESSELS REMOVED] Jesus’ offered Body and His shed Blood have been given to us in, with, and under the form of bread and wine in this Holy Mystery. As he was removed from us in the grave, so we remove the elements and vessels of this Sacrament.

4. [CANDLES EXTINGUISHED AND REMOVED] Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” The events of Golgatha snuffed out the human life of Jesus, the Light of the world. As even creation was dark when He suffered, so we extinguish our candles and remove them.

5. [ALTAR CLOTHS REMOVED] Our altar is in the form of a Table. It is here where our Lord Jesus serves us as both host and meal at His banquet feast. The coverings and paraments are made of fine linen and brocade; materials appropriate for feasting with our King. As our King’s body was stripped in crucifixion, so our altar is stripped of its coverings.

6. [BLACK CLOTH & CROWN OF THORNS ARE PUT OVER THE CROSS.]

LEAVE IN SILENCE

The liturgy and music is reprinted by permission from One License – #736873-A/CCLI – #1941935/Sundays and Seasons - SAS003615