Week 20: Maundy Thursday

Before the Feast of the Passover, being with his disciples in the Upper Room, our Lord knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father. During supper, he laid aside his outer garments, took a towel and tied it around his waist, poured water into a basin, and washed the disciples’ feet. In this grand act of humility, he demonstrated the kind of servanthood that should characterize the relationships among his disciples in the church. He also gave a new commandment of love to his disciples: that we love one another, as he has loved us.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Almighty Father, whose dear Son on the night before he suffered did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same, in remembrance of him who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God world without end. Amen.

~ United States Prayer Book, in John Wallace Suter, Jr., ed.
The Book of English Collects. New York, NY: Harper, 1940. p. 18.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

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.

Chronological Reading for the Day
Thursday: Pss. 75-78

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 lectionary readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

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.

Benediction 
O LORD Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy passion: Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

~ Scotland Prayer Book, in John Wallace Suter, Jr., ed.
The Book of English Collects. New York, NY: Harper, 1940. p. 18.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Empower us to love one another as Christ loved us.

Weekly Reflection on the Priesthood of All Believers
The Lord’s Supper, like baptism, is a deep mystery of grace. . . . The good news of God’s kingdom is displayed as the family of God comes together to share a meal.

~ Uche Anizor and Hank Voss. Representing Christ.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2016. p. 144.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Blessed Is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord, Luke 19.28-40

Book Reading
Fish and Conant, Every Member Evangelism for Today

Special Church Year Services
Good Friday: Friday, April 15, 2022
Holy Saturday: Saturday, April 16, 2022

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