God's Lamb, God's liberation
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: When the Synopticists (especially) depicted Jesus as celebrating the Seder meal with his disciples as his last intimacy with them, they (and perhaps he) were certainly drawing upon the symbolic connection between Moses' leading the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity, depicted in this lesson, and the Master's own liberation of humanity from enslavement to sin.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Let us sing of God's steadfast love!
People:
LET US PROCLAIM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS!
Leader:
For God's steadfast love was established forever!
People:
AND GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS AS FIRM AS THE HEAVENS!
Collect
God of perfect freedom, you led the Isrealites out of captivity through Moses and us out of captivity through Jesus. Help us to internalize the liberty that you have given: that, no longer bound by sin, we may live lives of righteousness that show that Jesus did not die in vain. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of liberating love, it pains us deeply to admit the extent to which we still live as though in bondage to sin instead of reveling in the freedom that you have graciously granted us in the cross of the Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us at last to embrace the benefits of Jesus, his life and his death, and to live henceforth as people who have been set free by your mercy and love and made righteous by your Servant's selfless act of obedience and compassion. In his precious name we pray. Amen
Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme:
A memorial meal and more
Exegetical note: Although Paul's version of the Last Supper here is earlier than those of the Gospels, it is more stylized than the Synoptic accounts in the way it parallels the bread and cup. Both statements contained here emphasize the memorial aspect of the meal, but verse 26 entails a future, eschatological reference as well: it is a meal of proclamation "until."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Let the heavens praise God's wonders!
People:
LET THE CONGREGATION PRAISE GOD'S FAITHFULNESS!
Leader:
For who is as mighty as God?
People:
AND WHO IS SO SURROUNDED WITH STEADFAST LOVE?
Collect
Nourishing God, you have provided us through Jesus' example a common meal rich in significance. Make its bread and wine ref reshment for our souls and encouragement for our hearts: that, feeling here the presence of Christ Jesus, we may trust and hope until he brings your heavenly Reign in all its fullness. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Nurturing God, we confess our habitual failure to take seriously the rituals in which we participate, including the Supper instituted by Jesus in this Holy Week. We eat of the bread half-heartedly and drink of the cup absent-mindedly, and seldom manage to feel his presence or your grace there. Forgive us, we pray, and renew our appreciation for this most precious gift. Enrich our weak spirits with your Holy Spirit, so that we may experience in this and every eucharist a communion, not only with one another, but also with you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Maundy Thursday
Gospel:
John 13:1-15
Theme:
The cleansing crucifixion
Exegetical note: John's account of the Last Supper differs from the Synoptics in placing it on the day before the actual Passover meal and in recounting a footwashing, an act that for the evangelist symbolically entwines two principal symbolic themes: cleansing and mutual submission. The former of these appears to refer mainly to the import of Jesus' crucifixion for the disciples, while the latter bespeaks the attitude that the disciples should display to one another.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Blessed are those who walk in God's light!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO REJOICE IN GOD'S NAME!
Leader:
For they exalt in God's name all day long!
People: AND IN GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS THEY ARE EXALTED!
Collect
God of eternity, you have taught us in the footwashing of Holy Thursday that the way of the Christ is not status, but submission. Instill this lesson in our hearts: that, following the example of Jesus, we may seek to serve you by serving one another in humility and gratitude. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of tender mercies, we acknowledge with shame that our customary and cherished way of life is based on a selfish desire for status and not a consistent yearning to serve one another and others in accordance with your will and Jesus' example. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us true humility and sacrificial service. Place before us always the image of the Christ, who, despite the supernatural majesty of his divinity, submitted himself in service, not only to his closest disciples, but indeed to all humanity. In his name we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Let us sing of God's steadfast love!
People:
LET US PROCLAIM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS!
Leader:
For God's steadfast love was established forever!
People:
AND GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS AS FIRM AS THE HEAVENS!
Collect
God of perfect freedom, you led the Isrealites out of captivity through Moses and us out of captivity through Jesus. Help us to internalize the liberty that you have given: that, no longer bound by sin, we may live lives of righteousness that show that Jesus did not die in vain. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of liberating love, it pains us deeply to admit the extent to which we still live as though in bondage to sin instead of reveling in the freedom that you have graciously granted us in the cross of the Christ. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us at last to embrace the benefits of Jesus, his life and his death, and to live henceforth as people who have been set free by your mercy and love and made righteous by your Servant's selfless act of obedience and compassion. In his precious name we pray. Amen
Maundy Thursday
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Theme:
A memorial meal and more
Exegetical note: Although Paul's version of the Last Supper here is earlier than those of the Gospels, it is more stylized than the Synoptic accounts in the way it parallels the bread and cup. Both statements contained here emphasize the memorial aspect of the meal, but verse 26 entails a future, eschatological reference as well: it is a meal of proclamation "until."
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Let the heavens praise God's wonders!
People:
LET THE CONGREGATION PRAISE GOD'S FAITHFULNESS!
Leader:
For who is as mighty as God?
People:
AND WHO IS SO SURROUNDED WITH STEADFAST LOVE?
Collect
Nourishing God, you have provided us through Jesus' example a common meal rich in significance. Make its bread and wine ref reshment for our souls and encouragement for our hearts: that, feeling here the presence of Christ Jesus, we may trust and hope until he brings your heavenly Reign in all its fullness. In his name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Nurturing God, we confess our habitual failure to take seriously the rituals in which we participate, including the Supper instituted by Jesus in this Holy Week. We eat of the bread half-heartedly and drink of the cup absent-mindedly, and seldom manage to feel his presence or your grace there. Forgive us, we pray, and renew our appreciation for this most precious gift. Enrich our weak spirits with your Holy Spirit, so that we may experience in this and every eucharist a communion, not only with one another, but also with you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Maundy Thursday
Gospel:
John 13:1-15
Theme:
The cleansing crucifixion
Exegetical note: John's account of the Last Supper differs from the Synoptics in placing it on the day before the actual Passover meal and in recounting a footwashing, an act that for the evangelist symbolically entwines two principal symbolic themes: cleansing and mutual submission. The former of these appears to refer mainly to the import of Jesus' crucifixion for the disciples, while the latter bespeaks the attitude that the disciples should display to one another.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 89)
Leader:
Blessed are those who walk in God's light!
People:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO REJOICE IN GOD'S NAME!
Leader:
For they exalt in God's name all day long!
People: AND IN GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS THEY ARE EXALTED!
Collect
God of eternity, you have taught us in the footwashing of Holy Thursday that the way of the Christ is not status, but submission. Instill this lesson in our hearts: that, following the example of Jesus, we may seek to serve you by serving one another in humility and gratitude. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of tender mercies, we acknowledge with shame that our customary and cherished way of life is based on a selfish desire for status and not a consistent yearning to serve one another and others in accordance with your will and Jesus' example. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us true humility and sacrificial service. Place before us always the image of the Christ, who, despite the supernatural majesty of his divinity, submitted himself in service, not only to his closest disciples, but indeed to all humanity. In his name we pray. Amen
