Maundy Thursday

House for All Sinners and Saints Maundy Thursday (The music tonight will either be pre-recorded or sung by a small ensemble. We invite you to drone along at any point in the liturgy when others are singing.)

Gathering Music Will You Let Me Be Your Servant?

Welcome

With nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to begin the Three Days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus' passing over from death to life. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus' command to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord's table we remember Jesus' sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world.

(at the sound of the bells, the congregation stands)

Opening Prayer

Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, let our prayer in your sight be as incense, the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice. Give us grace to recognize you in your word and sacraments, and in the lives of those around us. Stir up in us the fire of that love which burned in the heart of your Son as he bore his passion, and let it burn in us to eternal life and to the ages of ages. Amen. (please be seated)

Opening Song -

Sermon

Confession and Absolution

Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord's call to struggle against sin, death, and evil— 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.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Ash Wednesday, you began this season of repentance with confession, and you came forward to receive the ashes of repentance. Come forward now and receive your absolution, the forgiveness which comes from Christ our Lord.

(All who desire come to forward to receive individual absolution, either kneeling or standing. The minister, laying both hands on each person's head, addresses each in turn)

In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I proclaim the forgiveness of all your sins. (Each person responds) Amen

Greeting

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. (please be seated)

Prayer of the Day Lord, you are always breaking apart our communities, our identities, our images of you: open hand and heart to receive this uncalled for gift, this broken body, this feast where untouchables meet; through Jesus Christ, the passion of God. Amen.

Gospel Acclamation (please stand, sing acclamation through once, then cantor sings verse, then repeat acclamation)

Gospel The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

At the conclusion of this portion, all stand and make their way to the parish hall to the dinner party. If you are at home, we welcome you to get some bread and wine or juice now. If you’re at home, you may also wash your feet as we move into the parish hall.

By Night

Meal

Peace When Jesus was at dinner with his friends, he said, “Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you. Peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.” The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

(The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, and may say, "Peace be with you," or similar words.) Dialogue

Preface It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… …we join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

From Saint Paul to the church in Corinth:

For 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, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,

Presider: This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying,

Presider: " This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Holy Wisdom, Holy Word Thanks be to God

Prayer over the Bread and Cup

We give you thanks, Father and Mother of all, for the holy vine of your servant David, and for the life and the knowledge that you have revealed to us through Jesus your servant. As this broken bread was scattered over the hill as grain, and, having been gathered together, became one, so too, may your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.

All: For the glory and the power are yours forever, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Lord, remember us in your mercy 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

The Body and Blood of Christ. Behold what you are. Become what you receive. Thanks be to God

All, and we mean ALL are welcome at Christ’s table. The gifts of God are free and for you. There is bread and wine and juice to enjoy, eat and live. (a basket of gluten free bread will be brought around for those who are in need)

Communion Dinner Party Serve each other, around the table, saying these words.

The body of Christ, broken for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. Amen.

(at the sound of the bells, the congregation stands)

Post-Communion Blessing

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.

Prayer after Communion Lord, we thank you that in your passion you offer forgiveness and invite us to be with you where hunger is no more and death has no dominion: may the broken bread of life fracture our stony hearts for the sake of another world. Amen.

Collecting of 30 Pieces of Silver

Gospel (continued) The congregation listens to John 13:18-38 as we gather our 30 pieces of silver. You are encouraged to cast your “silver” into the buckets, recognizing that all of us, at one point or another in our lives, have betrayed Christ and our neighbor. Yet, no betrayal, even of God, is beyond Christ’s mercy. Therefore, this money will be given to the Campbell Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a neighboring Black congregation hard hit by the pandemic. If you would like to give electronically, we will have options for giving throughout the season of Easter.

(at end of Gospel reading) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ!

The Stripping of the Altar

(The congregation listens to Psalm 88 as the altar is stripped. As later this night Jesus was handed over to suffering and then on to death, so we prepare tonight for the sparseness of Good Friday. Those who wish to leave, please leave in silence once the entire room is striped bare. Those who wish to stay and watch the movie, are invited to sit in silence until others have left. There is no benediction or closing to the liturgy, for the service is not ended until the closing of the Easter vigil.)

Maundy Post-lude: Jesus Christ Superstar