2017 Holy Thursday

Peter Paul Rubens, Last Supper, 1630–1631

HOLY THURSDAY

APRIL 13, 2017

Welcome Leader: God is light. In God there is no darkness at People.

People: Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Leader: On this night, centuries ago, the world attempted to put out the

light of Jesus’ earthly life.

People: Yet our darkness is never darkness in God’s sight.

Anthem O Sacred Head Now Wounded

J.S. Bach

Adult Choir

Call to the Cross Leader: We join a solemn journey of three days that has changed the world

and our own lives. Followers of Jesus have been taking this journey

since his first followers took it, long ago.

People: We have journeyed far.

Leader: On this night Jesus took a towel and basin, and washed his disciples’

feet. On this night he told them to do the same for others to show

their love for him and for one another.

People: We have labored and loved.

Leader: On this night, followers of Jesus invited those preparing for baptism

to begin with them a solemn vigil of prayer and fasting until the day

of Christ’s resurrection is fulfilled.

People: We have waited, and prayed and fasted in anticipation.

Leader: On this night, Jesus broke bread and shared the cup with his

followers for the last time, and invited them to remember him to

encounter him anew, whenever they did the same.

People: We have been hungry and we have been filled.

Leader: On this night, followers of Jesus have welcomed those who have

returned to the way of Jesus after a time of wandering and a

journey of returning.

People: We have wandered and returned, and wandered again.

Leader: And so, on this night, we welcome the weary and sorry, and People

who have wandered. We welcome People who have been preparing,

and People who are still learning. We welcome those who are

searching, and People who are still lost, to join in hearing and

obeying the commandment of our Master that we love one another

as he has loved us.

Come, ye sinners. Come, ye thirsty. Come, ye weary. Come to the

foot of the cross.

Hymn 340 Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy Scripture Luke 23:44-49 Reflection Into Your Hands Rev. Elizabeth Gilbert

Holy Communion Communion Anthem

“Panis Angelicus” Caesar Franck Adult Choir

Panis angelicus May the Bread of Angels fit panis hominum; Become bread for mankind; Dat panis cœlicus The Bread of Heaven puts figuris terminum: People foreshadowings to an end; O res mirabilis!

Oh, thing miraculous!

Manducat Dominum The body of the Lord will nourish Pauper, servus et humilis. the poor, the servile, and the humble.

In the Garden Matthew 26:36-46 Hymn 290 Go to Dark Gethsemane

v. 1 Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus Matthew 26:47-56 Jesus before Pilate Matthew 27:1-2, 11-14, 24-26 Hymn 290 Go to Dark Gethsemane

v. 2 The Soldiers Mock Jesus Matthew 27:27-31 Crucifixion of Jesus

Matthew 27:32-37 Pipe Organ Meditation Were You There And with Him, Two Bandits

Matthew 27:38-44 Hymn 288 Were You There

vs. 1-2 Death of Jesus

Luke 23:44-46 Hymn 288 Were You There

vs. 3-4 Prayer Prayer for Mercy Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ, redeemer of the world, give us your peace. Amen.

Hymn 288 Were You There

v. 5 The Burial of Jesus

Matthew 27:57-60 Depart in Silence.

May Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a cross, keep you and strengthen you this night and forever.

The Meaning of Holy or Maundy Thursday Christians commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper when he broke bread and gave the cup to his disciples, initiating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. John’s Gospel tells of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and giving a new commandment.

Maundy Thursday worship traditionally includes Holy Communion and sometimes foot washing as well.

The word Maundy comes from the Latin, mandatum, which means commandment.

At the Last Supper Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) Based on The Special Days and Seasons of the Christian Year, Abingdon Press

Carl Heinrich Bloch, The Last Supper, Late 19th Century