Bulletin: April 6, 2023

MAUNDY THURSDAY

7:30pm

THE SERVICE OF MAUNDY THURSDAY
On this night we mark Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
The next day he dies on the cross.

Maundy Thursday is the first great day of the triduum, the crossover point between life and death for Jesus, between death and life for us all.

Maundy Thursday receives its name from the Latin word mandatum which means command. It refers to our Lord’s commandment in the Gospel.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you.” John 13:34

Prelude
Solemn Prelude on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Gerald Near (b. 1942)                 

Welcome

*Call to Worship
Leader:  We are gathered in a time of remembrance.
People:  We are together in spirit and faith.
Leader:  On this night of his last meal, we are present
to the life of Jesus.
People:  And the assurance of love everlasting.
All:  Thanks be to God.

*Opening Hymn
202  An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare  (O Waly Waly)

Homily and Readings
First Reading   John 1:24-34   The Baptism of Jesus
Second Reading   John 4:7-15   The Woman at the Well
Third Reading   John 13:2-5; 12-17   Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet    

Musical Reflection
Ubi Caritas
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Sung in Latin

Where charity and love are, God is there.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and delight in Him.
Let us fear and love the living God,
And let us honor Him with a sincere heart. Amen

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.

Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 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 forever. Amen.

Words of Institution

Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. A gluten-free option is offered from the server on the pulpit side of the aisle. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.

Blessing & Anointing
A blessing is an affirmation of our relationship with God. After you receive the communion elements you are invited to receive a blessing and be anointed by our co-pastors. They will be positioned to the left and right of the communion servers.

Communion Music
Élevation
Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)   

Welcome Sweet and Sacred Feast
Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)

Welcome sweet and sacred feast
Welcome life! Welcome life!
Dead I was, and deep in trouble, But grace and blessings
came with thee so rife
That they have quickened even dry stubble
Thus souls their bodies animate
And thus, at first, when things were rude
Dark, void and crude
They, by thy word, their beauty had and date
All were by thee and still must be
Nothing that is or lives
But hath his quicknings and reprieves
As thy hand opes or shuts
Healings and cuts
Darkness and daylight, life and death
Are but mere leaves turn’d by thy breath

But that great darkness at thy death
When the veil broke with thy last breath
Did make us see The way to thee

Was’t not enough that thou hadst paid the price
And given us eyes when we had none
but thou must also take us by the hand and keep us still awake
When we would sleep Or from thee creep
Who without thee cannot stand?
Was’t not enough to lose thy breath and blood
By an accursed death
But thou must also leave
To us that did bereave Thee of them both
these seals the means that should both cleanse and keep us so,
Who wrought thy woe?        

O rose of Sharon!
O the lily of the valley!
How art thou now, thy flock to keep
Become both food and shepherd to thy sheep

Abridged text – Henry Vaughan

*Prayer of Gratitude (Unison)  
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Closing Hymn
316  Where Charity and Love Prevail (Twenty-Fourth)