Fast Food
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Call To Worship
Pack light, live right, clasp the suitcase tight, this night with the angel of death in sight, bite unleavened bread and prepare for flight. The moon is bright. Let our enemies fight. All is well. God is might. All is well. Pack light.
Collect
This night is special, Lord, and very different from any other. The awe inspiring drama of our salvation is about to be played out again. Once more we are lost. Once more we are rescued. Save us, Lord Jesus, in this remembrance. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Eat quickly, eat standing, eat ready to move. Your instructions in this scripture seem so like our regular lifestyle where everything rushes by and we take no account of anything permanent or lasting. But like our ancestors in the faith, we too stand on the edge of freedom, freedom from the snares of this world. As we contemplate the majesty of your Word and the perfect sacrifice of the cross that lies just ahead, let us gird ourselves for flight from the slavery of sin, prepared to leave at a moment's notice when you call us home. Amen.
Hymns
"Go To Dark Gethsemane"
"Before The Cock Crew Twice"
" 'Tis Midnight, And On Olive's Brow"
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme: Improving Our Memory
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-14)
One: What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Collect
We thank you Lord that you allow us to approach this closely to the burning bush, to sit again with the Master as he served his disciples. We praise you for the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ as risen Lord and loving servant. Help us to remember that the way to lead is to serve, the way to adore is on bended knee, the way to praise is by following your holy example. These things we pray in the name of the servant king. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Heavenly Father and Almighty King, we are yours servants, who you nevertheless call to your table to share the bread and cup in your love. When we consider the blood of the Son who died for our sins, we marvel that you consider us worthy to share in this great sacrifice. You are the source of all blessing and life. His cup is offered in memory of the blessing we have received through one life lived perfectly. May we be perfected by you as well, as we do this in his memory. Amen.
Hymns
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
"Seed Scattered And Sown"
"In The Quiet Consecration"
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Gospel Lesson: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Theme: He Bends Down
Call To Worship
"Let us imitate the Lord, who at the very time of His Passion was not more proud but more humble."
- Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage
Collect
Lord God, this day we are gathered to share fellowship, service, and suffering. Let us be true to you, kneeling as you knelt, girding ourselves with a towel, washing each other's feet, and gathering around your table. We thank you for this invitation, and pray that we may widen the circle so many others will come to know you as servant and Lord, as gentle savior and master. As we come to this special place and hour, we bless the darkness which called all indoors to share your Passover from the slavery of sin to the glory of salvation, and ask for the courage to follow you to that holy hill, and beyond the empty tomb. These things we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
"Come then, Lord Jesus ... Pour water into the basin, wash not only our feet but also the head and not only the body, but also the footsteps of the soul. I wish to put off all filth of our frailty. Wash the steps of my mind that I may not sin again. Wash the heel of my soul that I may be able to efface the curse, that I feel not the serpent's bite on the foot of my soul, but as Thou Thyself has bidden those who follow Thee, may tread on serpents and scorpions with uninjured foot. Amen."
- Ambrose, Of the Holy Spirit, 1.13,
Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, X.95
Hymns
"Jesus Took A Towel"
"How Pleasant Is It" (see page 243)
"Sent Forth By God's Blessing"
Pack light, live right, clasp the suitcase tight, this night with the angel of death in sight, bite unleavened bread and prepare for flight. The moon is bright. Let our enemies fight. All is well. God is might. All is well. Pack light.
Collect
This night is special, Lord, and very different from any other. The awe inspiring drama of our salvation is about to be played out again. Once more we are lost. Once more we are rescued. Save us, Lord Jesus, in this remembrance. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Eat quickly, eat standing, eat ready to move. Your instructions in this scripture seem so like our regular lifestyle where everything rushes by and we take no account of anything permanent or lasting. But like our ancestors in the faith, we too stand on the edge of freedom, freedom from the snares of this world. As we contemplate the majesty of your Word and the perfect sacrifice of the cross that lies just ahead, let us gird ourselves for flight from the slavery of sin, prepared to leave at a moment's notice when you call us home. Amen.
Hymns
"Go To Dark Gethsemane"
"Before The Cock Crew Twice"
" 'Tis Midnight, And On Olive's Brow"
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme: Improving Our Memory
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-14)
One: What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Collect
We thank you Lord that you allow us to approach this closely to the burning bush, to sit again with the Master as he served his disciples. We praise you for the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ as risen Lord and loving servant. Help us to remember that the way to lead is to serve, the way to adore is on bended knee, the way to praise is by following your holy example. These things we pray in the name of the servant king. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Heavenly Father and Almighty King, we are yours servants, who you nevertheless call to your table to share the bread and cup in your love. When we consider the blood of the Son who died for our sins, we marvel that you consider us worthy to share in this great sacrifice. You are the source of all blessing and life. His cup is offered in memory of the blessing we have received through one life lived perfectly. May we be perfected by you as well, as we do this in his memory. Amen.
Hymns
"Let Us Break Bread Together"
"Seed Scattered And Sown"
"In The Quiet Consecration"
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Gospel Lesson: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Theme: He Bends Down
Call To Worship
"Let us imitate the Lord, who at the very time of His Passion was not more proud but more humble."
- Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage
Collect
Lord God, this day we are gathered to share fellowship, service, and suffering. Let us be true to you, kneeling as you knelt, girding ourselves with a towel, washing each other's feet, and gathering around your table. We thank you for this invitation, and pray that we may widen the circle so many others will come to know you as servant and Lord, as gentle savior and master. As we come to this special place and hour, we bless the darkness which called all indoors to share your Passover from the slavery of sin to the glory of salvation, and ask for the courage to follow you to that holy hill, and beyond the empty tomb. These things we pray in your Son's name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
"Come then, Lord Jesus ... Pour water into the basin, wash not only our feet but also the head and not only the body, but also the footsteps of the soul. I wish to put off all filth of our frailty. Wash the steps of my mind that I may not sin again. Wash the heel of my soul that I may be able to efface the curse, that I feel not the serpent's bite on the foot of my soul, but as Thou Thyself has bidden those who follow Thee, may tread on serpents and scorpions with uninjured foot. Amen."
- Ambrose, Of the Holy Spirit, 1.13,
Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, X.95
Hymns
"Jesus Took A Towel"
"How Pleasant Is It" (see page 243)
"Sent Forth By God's Blessing"
