: A VIRTUAL FEAST with Church of the April 1, 2021

Last Supper by Sue Kouma Johnson

TRIDUUM: THE GREAT THREE DAYS MAUNDY THURSDAY   THE GREAT VIGIL OF

We cannot come together as the people of God this year to remember and participate in the saving acts of , the miracle of his resurrection, and to celebrate our faith and identity as Christians. So we move our observance of these holy days into our homes, with our loved ones or by ourselves and with the of saints in all times and places. Additionally, there will be opportunities on Good Friday and Easter to gather in-person for some traditional (and new) worship services outdoors. Set aside a place to observe these days in your home, at your own pace. Set apart a holy time to reflect on your own or as a household, observing Maundy Thursday with a meal, Good Friday with the quiet video and then Easter worship either virtually or in-person.

The Great Vigil of Easter will be suspended for another year. It is an ancient, complex and multi- faceted service that loses its power and integrity if it is shortened or compromised by too much editing and adaptation. We will return to celebrating the moving ritual of the next year. When you are ready for supper, prepare a simple and nourishing meal. Have a bowl of water nearby if you’d like to observe the foot-washing ritual. If not, leave that observance out. Prepare your meal reverently and meditatively, if possible, as well as joyfully - remembering that this night is not like other nights. You might include a loaf of special bread and a glass of wine or grape juice as you recall Jesus’ with his disciples.

Have your table set for dinner with food, a cloth or placemats, plates & silverware, a candle (if you have one), bulletins printed or a screen to read it and a screen to watch the worship video.

Begin the video before you begin to eat your meal. Rev’d Jen will lead you through your observance of this holy meal and indicate where to pause and when to pick up the video again to continue your prayers.

Appoint one person to be the “reader” or several to alternate the role.

   THE PEOPLE GATHER WELCOME & WORDS OF INSTRUCTION Tonight, we lament our physical distance and inability to celebrate the . Yet, we are still following Jesus’ commandment to remember what he has done for us on the night before he offered his life for the life of the world. Play the video. OPENING ACCLAMATION Presider Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People God’s mercy endures forever.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Presider God be with you. People And also with you. Presider Almighty God, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, gave freely of himself to his beloved in the washing of feet and in instituting the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that as we gather in our households we may remember these great gifts of love by our Lord, and follow his great command to love one another as he eternally loves us all. Amen. Pause to read the lesson and psalm at your tables. GOD’S WORD IS PROCLAIMED THE LESSON: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 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, ‘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, ‘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. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. PSALM 63:1-8 Said in unison by all at the table O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water. Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place; that I might behold your power and your glory. For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; my lips shall give you praise. So will I bless you as long as I live and lift up my hands in your Name. My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips. When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches. For you have been my helper, and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice. My soul clings to you, your right hand holds me fast.

WE BREAK BREAD Please designate one person in your household, perhaps a child if present, to read the blessing aloud along with the Presider. Play the video. BLESSING THE FOOD OF THE MEAL

Generous God, may the blessing of Your presence be upon us at ordinary tables and at holy tables. We thank You for the bounty of this table. As we accept this food with humility and love, help us to accept and serve others to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Pause the video. Join in the eating of whatever simple meal you have prepared for your table. When you have eaten about half of the meal, push play and hear the read.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: :1–16, 33–35 (selections); John 14:12-14, John 15:13-17 Presider A reading from the Gospel according to John.

ow before the festival of the , 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…And N during supper Jesus…got up from the table. Took off his outer robe and tied a towel around himself. Then 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….. …..After 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? You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you….I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another….. …..Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it….. …..No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Presider The Word of the Lord People Thanks be to God.

REFLECTION Rev’d Jen Complete your meal as the hymn is played, then pause to finish the meal. HYMN Servant Song As you finish your meal, a designated person leads your table in prayer (Rev’d Jen will bid the prayers with the first line, your reader/yourself will continue with the specific petition and all respond with the words in bold).

WE OFFER OUR PRAYERS

Rev’d Jen On this, the night he was betrayed, your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet. Reader We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service. Lord hear us All and humble us.

Rev’d Jen On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one. Reader We pray for the unity of your Church. Lord hear us All and unite us.

On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe through his disciples’ message. We pray for the mission of your Church. Lord hear us and renew our zeal.

On this night, he commanded his disciples to love, but suffered rejection himself. We pray for the suffering, rejected and unloved. Lord hear us and fill us with your love.

On this night, he reminded his disciples that if the world hated them it hated him first. We pray for those who are persecuted for any reason. Lord hear us and give us your peace.

On this night, he accepted the cup of death and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom. We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ remembering especially those we now name… Lord hear us and welcome all your children into paradise.

All O God of the crucified and risen One, from whom no trial or trouble can separate us: you feed us with your Word and soothe us with your Spirit, closer to us than breath itself. Make us glad this night for the life of your servant Jesus; Make us servants of all for the sake of Christ. Amen. The video continues with instructions for Foot Washing, if you choose to observe that, or else listen to the hymn and then continue with the invitation to share a Sign of Peace with one another.

WE SERVE ONE ANOTHER: FOOT WASHING

HYMN Jesu Jesus

WE SHARE THE PEACE OF CHRIST

Presider On the night before he died for us, after the meal our Lord said to his closest loved ones, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

Please exchange a sign of Christ’s peace with those around you. 

Watch the video introduction to the Garden of Gethsemane. Then go outside to your yard, garden, patio or porch and read aloud from the Gospel of Mark, below.

GOING OUT TO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Read from the Gospel of :32-41. They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial. ❖ THE Finally, go back inside, play the video recording of while watching the stripping of the altar at Epiphany. You may do something similar by clearing everything off your table (dishes, linens, decorations, etc) leaving it completely bare until Easter morning.

 KEEPING WATCH THIS NIGHT If you have not previously signed up to do so in the church, you are encouraged to choose one hour tonight or tomorrow before noon at home to “Watch and Pray” as Jesus asked his disciples. This can mean silent prayer or faithful reading or journaling a letter to God or listening to sacred music or lifting your intercessions. While you pray, you may want to light a candle and have an image of the cross or a favorite of Christ to meditation upon.

Holy Week & Easter Schedule

Good Friday, April 2 ❖ 12~noon – In-person *, Sanctuary ❖ 7 p.m. – Virtual Tenebrae (Facebook Live Premiere & YouTube)

Easter Vigil Suspended until 2022

Easter Sunday,*April 4 ❖ Festive Virtual Worship with Virtual Easter Choir ❖ 6 a.m. – Easter Sunrise Worship*, Turner Reservoir ❖ 10 a.m. – Easter Holy Communion*, Epiphany Garden

*Pre-registration required for all in -person worship. required and social distancing observed. Bring your own chairs at 10 a.m., though some will be available if needed. At 6 a.m. Easter Sunrise, be prepared to stand for 30 minutes.

Easter Letter & Offerings – You should have received an Easter letter with an offering envelope this week. Please return the envelope by mail with your offering in remembrance of a loved one or in thanksgiving for Resurrection joy. Your donations help us continue to proclaim the Gospel to all in need.

Vestry Leadership Church of the Epiphany Warden: J Hogue 1336 Pawtucket Avenue Treasurer: Kristen Dee Clerk: J Hogue Rumford, RI 02916 Vestry Members: Pam Harrop, Geri Manning, Mary-Beth McGrath, (401) 434-5012 Debra Sharpe, Linda Vaughan-Dubois www.epiphanyep.org Staff Parish Administrator Beth Dench Ministers Music Director Mary Therese Martinez The People of Epiphany Rector The Rev’d Jennifer Zogg, [email protected]