This Week’s Theme
Love One Another
John 13.1-17, 31b-35
When our Lord was fully aware that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father, John tells us that he possessed a special love for his sheep who were in the world, and loved them to the end. At the evening meal before the Passover, the devil had already influenced Judas to betray our Lord to the authorities. At the very moment when Jesus realized that the Father had given all things over to him, and was aware that he had come from God and was returning to God, he then rose from supper. Jesus laid aside his outer garments, and took up a towel, and tied it around his waist.
Pouring water into a basin he began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had washed their feet, he asked them if they understood what he had just done to them. In drawing out the lesson of his foot-washing, Jesus said if he were their teacher and Lord and washed their feet, so too they ought to wash one another’s feet. He called them to love one another, just as he had loved them. By this all would know that they were his disciples – by their love for one another.
In this grand act of humility, Jesus demonstrated the kind of servanthood that should characterize the relationships among his disciples in the church. We have been given a new commandment by our Savior: that we love one another, as he had loved us. He assures us that everyone will recognize us as his disciples when they see the love that we have for each other. This love – the love of Christ shared among us – is the sign of true discipleship.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Almighty and everlasting God, Who restorest us by the blessed Passion of Thy Christ, preserve in us the works of Thy mercy; that by the celebration of this Mystery our lives may be continually devout; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ Leonine Sacramentary (Bright, p. 42)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Thursday: Pss. 39-41; 53; 55; 58
Chronological Holy Week Readings
Maundy Thursday: Matt. 26.17-75; Mark 14.12-42; Luke 22.7-65; John 13.1-18.27
Lectionary Readings
Psalm: Ps. 116.1-2, 12-19
OT: Exod. 12.1-14
Gospel: John 13.1-17, 31b-35
NT: 1 Cor. 11.23-26
(Click here for all readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits 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 Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Gracious Lord, Almighty, Jesus Christ, let Thy sufferings aid us, and defend us from all pain and grief, all peril and misery, all uncleanness of heart, all sin, all scandal and infamy, from evil diseases of soul and body, from sudden and unforseen death, and from all persecution of our foes visible and invisible, For we know that in what day or hour we call to mind Thy Passion, we shall be safe. Therefore relying on Thine infinite tenderness, we beseech Thee, O most loving Saviour, by Thy most benignant and sacred sufferings to protect us with gracious aid, and in continual tenderness to preserve us from all evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.
~ Sarum Missal; a Prayer of Innocent III (Bright, p. 45-46)
Affirmation for the Day
Teach us to love one another even as Christ loved us and gave himself on the Cross on our behalf.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Teach us each day to love one another with the love of the Lord.
For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
If I Be Lifted Up, John 12.20-36
Book Reading
Barrett, None Greater
Special Church Year Services
Good Friday: Friday, April 10, 2020
Holy Saturday: Saturday, April 11, 2020