Food
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series V, Cycle C
Call To Worship
Sharing common food takes on new meaning at this holy, ceremonial meal. Each participant having a taste is more important than the quantity of food available. Careful preparation of the communion elements draws our attention to the food and lifts its significance. The ritual of serving and the putting away of food happen in a set fashion. We use the communion glasses only for this ceremony. We reserve the chalice and the plate for this meal. Come and join in the sharing.
Collect
We prepare our hearts for this holy meal, O God, as carefully as we make ready the communion elements. Help us to see that each meal is a new beginning of life within the soul just as the food you give brings renewed life to every cell of muscle, nerve, blood, and bone. So carefully and constantly, O God, you provide for our sustenance. Through the living Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
At this holy meal, dear God, we see the simplicity of the fare that you provide to champion the well-being of our whole self. At this holy meal, we see how carefully you plan that we share our food with our neighbor. Teach us that as we look out for our neighbor, we, too, will receive nourishment. Through Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"In Such A Time As This" Tune: ROSEMARY or ST. MICHAEL
"I Look To [Thee][You] In Every Need" Tune: O JESU
"O Grant Us Light" Tune: HESPERUS (QUEBEC)
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme: After Supper
Call To Worship
In this land of plenty, after supper often come dessert and conversation. We seem to talk better after sharing a meal around the kitchen table. The belly is satisfied. The companionship of friends is welcome.
So, also, one night after supper with his companions, Jesus shared a dessert and talk unlike any before. It changed forever how they and we see the Savior. It pulled together all that happened in their journey with Jesus. The disciples would remember, as do we, each time they would sit down to eat thereafter. They would remember, as do we, each time we break a piece of bread and drink the juice of the vine. Come, let us make ready for the holy meal and remember Jesus.
Collect
Teach us, O God, to take nothing for granted lest this meal be for us, also, the last time we are to sit with one with whom we share a special bond. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Keep us mindful, O God, of the promises you have made to us through Christ. Help us remember what Christ did this Holy Week for our sake. Keep us mindful of the promises of faithfulness we have made to you. Help us remember what we are saying about God, Christ, and ourselves when we sit at this table. In the name of Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"Fill My Cup, Lord" Tune: FILL MY CUP
"Blessed Assurance" Tune: ASSURANCE OR "Because Thou Hast Said" Tune: PADERBORN
"Now Let Us From This Table Rise" Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Theme: Tender Feet, Gentle Hands
Call To Worship
Leader: Tender feet, bumped and jarred from open sandals.
Tender feet, dry and cracked from dusty roads.
Tender, hurting feet.
People: Gentle hands nesting a foot in their palms.
Gentle hands cupping and cupping water.
Gentle, caring hands.
Collect
Your gentle word, O God, gives us assurance to grow. We remember the strength of courage following a tender act of care. As we sit at the table of the Last Supper before a night of violence and betrayal, let us keep in mind your tender, nurturing nature. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We learn so much from Jesus this week, O God. Facing death, most turn inward. Anger or despair might overpower the best of us. To the end, Christ thought of others. At all times, help us to be responsive and compassionate in service toward those we care about. When we need an example, let us see Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"How Like A Gentle Spirit" Tune: SURSUM CORDA OR "The Care The Eagle Gives Her Young" Tune: CRIMOND
"Spirit, Spirit Of Gentleness" Tune: SPIRIT
"Teach Me, [My God][O Lord], [Thy][Your] Holy Way" Tune: ROCKINGHAM
Sharing common food takes on new meaning at this holy, ceremonial meal. Each participant having a taste is more important than the quantity of food available. Careful preparation of the communion elements draws our attention to the food and lifts its significance. The ritual of serving and the putting away of food happen in a set fashion. We use the communion glasses only for this ceremony. We reserve the chalice and the plate for this meal. Come and join in the sharing.
Collect
We prepare our hearts for this holy meal, O God, as carefully as we make ready the communion elements. Help us to see that each meal is a new beginning of life within the soul just as the food you give brings renewed life to every cell of muscle, nerve, blood, and bone. So carefully and constantly, O God, you provide for our sustenance. Through the living Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
At this holy meal, dear God, we see the simplicity of the fare that you provide to champion the well-being of our whole self. At this holy meal, we see how carefully you plan that we share our food with our neighbor. Teach us that as we look out for our neighbor, we, too, will receive nourishment. Through Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"In Such A Time As This" Tune: ROSEMARY or ST. MICHAEL
"I Look To [Thee][You] In Every Need" Tune: O JESU
"O Grant Us Light" Tune: HESPERUS (QUEBEC)
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme: After Supper
Call To Worship
In this land of plenty, after supper often come dessert and conversation. We seem to talk better after sharing a meal around the kitchen table. The belly is satisfied. The companionship of friends is welcome.
So, also, one night after supper with his companions, Jesus shared a dessert and talk unlike any before. It changed forever how they and we see the Savior. It pulled together all that happened in their journey with Jesus. The disciples would remember, as do we, each time they would sit down to eat thereafter. They would remember, as do we, each time we break a piece of bread and drink the juice of the vine. Come, let us make ready for the holy meal and remember Jesus.
Collect
Teach us, O God, to take nothing for granted lest this meal be for us, also, the last time we are to sit with one with whom we share a special bond. In the name of Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Keep us mindful, O God, of the promises you have made to us through Christ. Help us remember what Christ did this Holy Week for our sake. Keep us mindful of the promises of faithfulness we have made to you. Help us remember what we are saying about God, Christ, and ourselves when we sit at this table. In the name of Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"Fill My Cup, Lord" Tune: FILL MY CUP
"Blessed Assurance" Tune: ASSURANCE OR "Because Thou Hast Said" Tune: PADERBORN
"Now Let Us From This Table Rise" Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM
Holy/Maundy Thursday
Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Theme: Tender Feet, Gentle Hands
Call To Worship
Leader: Tender feet, bumped and jarred from open sandals.
Tender feet, dry and cracked from dusty roads.
Tender, hurting feet.
People: Gentle hands nesting a foot in their palms.
Gentle hands cupping and cupping water.
Gentle, caring hands.
Collect
Your gentle word, O God, gives us assurance to grow. We remember the strength of courage following a tender act of care. As we sit at the table of the Last Supper before a night of violence and betrayal, let us keep in mind your tender, nurturing nature. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We learn so much from Jesus this week, O God. Facing death, most turn inward. Anger or despair might overpower the best of us. To the end, Christ thought of others. At all times, help us to be responsive and compassionate in service toward those we care about. When we need an example, let us see Christ. Amen.
26C Hymns
"How Like A Gentle Spirit" Tune: SURSUM CORDA OR "The Care The Eagle Gives Her Young" Tune: CRIMOND
"Spirit, Spirit Of Gentleness" Tune: SPIRIT
"Teach Me, [My God][O Lord], [Thy][Your] Holy Way" Tune: ROCKINGHAM
