ORDER OF WORSHIP
Maundy Thursday
March 28, 2024
Prelude (A time for stillness and reflection)
Invocation
We begin in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Introduction
+ LITURGY OF RECONCILIATION +
Confession and Forgiveness
Let us pray.
God of mercies and all consolation, come to the aid of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may attend to your Word, confess our sins, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer. Amen
Let us make confession to God.
(silence for reflection and self-examination)
Almighty God, merciful Lord:
I, a troubled and penitent sinner, confess to you all my sins and iniquities with which I have offended you and for which I justly deserve your punishment. But I am sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them, and pray for your boundless mercy. For the sake of the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being; forgive my sins, grant me your Holy Spirit for the amendment of my sinful life, and bring me to life everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God is merciful and has sent his only Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. Through the Holy Spirit, God cleanses us and gives us power to proclaim the mighty deeds of God who called us out of darkness into the splendor of his light. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Those who wish may come forward and kneel or stand at the communion rail for individual absolution by the Pastor.
Greeting
The peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment: To love one another as he has loved us. By your Holy Spirit write this commandment in our hearts and give us the will to serve others as Jesus was servant of all; through our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
+ LITURGY OF THE WORD +
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. 12For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 116:1-2. 12-19 (sung)
I love the LORD, who has | heard my voice,
and listened to my | supplication,
for the LORD has given | ear to me
whenev- | er I called.
How shall I re- | pay the LORD
for all the good things God has | done for me?
I will lift the cup | of salvation
and call on the name | of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows | to the LORD
in the presence of | all God's people.
Precious in your | sight, O LORD,
is the death | of your servants.
O LORD, truly I | am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me |
from my bonds.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23For 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, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25In 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." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation (sung first by the choir and then by the congregation)
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. (John 13:34)
Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
The Holy Gospel according to St. John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1Now before the festival of the Passover, 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. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then 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. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12After 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? 13You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 31bNow the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." life.
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Sermon
Silence for reflection.
Hymn of the Day
Although I Speak with Angel’s Tongue
ELW 644
Although I speak with angel's tongue,
my faith, my knowledge all surpass,
but have no love, my gifts are vain
as clanging gong or blaring brass.
For love is patient, love is kind,
and never vain with boasting pride;
love bears all things, all things endures.
All things must end; love will abide.
For now we peer at darkened glass;
our visions end; our tongues all cease.
In part we know, in part now see:
then we will see love face to face.
The gifts are many, the Body one,
and into one are all baptized.
Beloved, share one heart, one mind,
one hope, one faith, one love in Christ.
+THE WASHING OF FEET +
Those who would have their feet washed should come and sit in one of the front pews to remove their footwear from one foot. Then one by one come to the chair for the washing. Hold your foot over the large bowl as water is poured. When it has been dried, return to the pew to put on your footwear and return to your pew. No words are spoken during this time.
Prayers of the People
Trusting in Jesus who gave his life for the world, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
God who kneels to wash our feet, gather your church around the world during this holy week. Humble the powerful and lift up any who are marginalized. Renew our faith and make us bold in service and love to our neighbors. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who blesses the grain of the soil and the fruit of the vine, inspire in us a reverent care for the earth. Sustain fields, gardens, and wild places, that all people are fed and every living thing flourishes. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God whose greatest commandment is love, guide all who govern by the principle of love. Transform unjust human systems that oppress some for the gain of others. Restore communities as places of justice and concern for those who are vulnerable. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who was betrayed, comfort people everywhere who have suffered abuse at the hands of someone they knew and trusted. Heal the bodies, minds, and hearts of victims of exploitation. Help all in pain to know that you are near, particularly Mary B., Anne C., Mabel, Mike, Anna Mae, Doris C., Chuck, Donna, Ann, Julie, Carol, Anne G., Tom, Lydia, Brian, Paul, Wil, Amy, Bob & Jane, Mary, Scott, Ron & Flo, Carla, Monica, Doris M., Dottie, Marian, John, Tim, Betty, Pastor Pam, Linda, Jeff, Henry, Gary, Mary V., Greg, Helen & Ron, and Max.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who sits at the table with us, grant the joy of your presence to people celebrating first communion today, and to all who share the meal. Strengthen communities of faith in grace and courage. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Other petitions may be offered.
God who brings new life out of death, we pray with thanks for the lives of those who have joined the communion of saints (especially). In our holy meal, connect us to the faithful who have gone before us, and nourish us as your people living today. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Receive these prayers, loving God, for the sake of the One who loved us to the end, Jesus Christ, our redeemer.
Amen.
+ LITURGY OF THE MEAL +
Offering
Musical Offering
Lord, I Come to Your Table
Mark Weston
Grace Choir
Offering Prayer
Let us pray.
Receive these gifts and the offering of our lives. As Jesus was lifted up from the earth, draw us to your heart in the midst of this world, that all creation may be brought from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, and from death to life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Dialogue
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface
Holy God, you set aside the perfection of your Trinitarian life to create the universe, and you called the children of Abraham to be your priestly kingdom. You gave your people freedom in the parting of the sea and marked them for life with the blood of the Lamb. In Jesus you laid aside the robe of your majesty and knelt among your children, facing humiliation and rejection. In his agony in the garden and suffering on the cross you showed the world the extent of your love and your longing to bring us home to the throne where we shall join angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, praising your holy name in the unending hymn:
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW 192
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow'r and might,
Heav'n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Thanksgiving at the Table
Gracious God, in Jesus you became the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and the living bread, broken for the life of your children, who at the last supper with his disciples, took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Come among us in the power of your Holy Spirit, that your people, as fragile and fitful as your disciples, may become your temple, and that these gifts of bread and wine may be for us the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Great is the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Blessed and broken God, be among your people who taste the bitter herbs of slavery and oppression; be close to your children who are poured out in grief and despair; remake the church, your Son’s body, where it is broken by discord and dispute; and renew your creation in the joy of thanksgiving. Spread your table in the face of friends and enemies, that all may know your peace and gather in the company of your saints, where you, in the presence of Christ and the companionship of the Holy Spirit, are all in all, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lord's Prayer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
Lamb of God
ELW 196
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us your peace. Amen.
Distribution of Communion
The baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord’s Table where we receive Jesus’ very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. Come to the rail and kneel at an empty spot. After you have communed you are invited to stay at the rail until you wish to return to your pew. Please do so down the side aisle. Gluten free hosts are available as is juice. Please let the communion minister know if you wish one of these. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Please cross your arms over your chest.
Music during Communion
Blessing after Communion
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.
Amen.
Now, Lord
ELW page 113
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of all people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
Prayer after Commnnion
Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection. May this sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
+ STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR +
While Psalm 88 is read, the altar is stripped. We remain until the conclusion and then depart silently. There is no benediction until the Easter Festival of the Resurrection.
The service continues on Good Friday.
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
Although I Speak with Angel’s Tongue, Text: Andrew Donaldson, b.1951, Text © 1995 Andrew Donaldson. , Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. Music: English traditional. Public domain.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: A Community Mass, Richard Proulx, b. 1937. Music © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528. Public domain.
