Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet, and the New Commandment
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
For this worship, use a small room for closeness that can be expanded easily to accommodate those who participate.
As people enter the room, offer to wash their feet; or if that is too radical, simulate footwashing by shining their shoes. Expect that some will refuse either act of grace.
Use plenty of silence.
Read the Gospel lesson, slowly and deliberately, with guitar or piano background music, played softly.
Following the reading, give the people five minutes of silence. Ask them to write down their thoughts during the silence.
Invite them to come to the communion table when they choose. Use dark brown bread; and say to each one as he/she receives the bread, "For you, (name), the dark brown body of Jesus." Use wine, or grape juice, laced with vinegar. Jesus' death was no easy one. As each person receives the cup, say, "For you (name), the rich, red blood of Christ." After receiving the elements, invite each person to return to his/her seat and remain in silence.
Invite people to use their silence creatively, by rereading the Scripture or some of the Holy Week hymns found in the hymnbook. Especially make them aware of the hymn, "An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare" (Fred Pratt Green, 1973; English folk melody).
Invite the people to leave in silence when they choose.
Meditations
1. "Love must be learned, and learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked" (Katherine Anne Porter).
2. "To be out of love is to be in hell" (author unknown).
3. "You should love your crooked neighbor with all your crooked heart" (W. H. Auden).
4. Through love, one creates his/her own personality, and helps others create theirs" (from a college dorm bulletin board).
As people enter the room, offer to wash their feet; or if that is too radical, simulate footwashing by shining their shoes. Expect that some will refuse either act of grace.
Use plenty of silence.
Read the Gospel lesson, slowly and deliberately, with guitar or piano background music, played softly.
Following the reading, give the people five minutes of silence. Ask them to write down their thoughts during the silence.
Invite them to come to the communion table when they choose. Use dark brown bread; and say to each one as he/she receives the bread, "For you, (name), the dark brown body of Jesus." Use wine, or grape juice, laced with vinegar. Jesus' death was no easy one. As each person receives the cup, say, "For you (name), the rich, red blood of Christ." After receiving the elements, invite each person to return to his/her seat and remain in silence.
Invite people to use their silence creatively, by rereading the Scripture or some of the Holy Week hymns found in the hymnbook. Especially make them aware of the hymn, "An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare" (Fred Pratt Green, 1973; English folk melody).
Invite the people to leave in silence when they choose.
Meditations
1. "Love must be learned, and learned again and again; there is no end to it. Hate needs no instruction, but waits only to be provoked" (Katherine Anne Porter).
2. "To be out of love is to be in hell" (author unknown).
3. "You should love your crooked neighbor with all your crooked heart" (W. H. Auden).
4. Through love, one creates his/her own personality, and helps others create theirs" (from a college dorm bulletin board).
