Maundy Thursday
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Leader: It was the last supper
People: For Jesus
Leader: On this earth.
People: A solemn occasion.
Leader: A time of sadness,
People: A preparation for betrayal
Leader: And death.
People: A good-bye meal.
Leader: A sense of loss
People: And grief
Leader: Hung in the air.
People: The Last Supper.
Leader: But only on this earth;
People: For this supper
Leader: Foreshadows another
People: Which will come
Leader: In the fullness of time.
People: And this meal,
Leader: The wedding feast of the Lamb,
People: Will last for all time;
Leader: Will be infinitely joyful;
People: And will satisfy the soul's deepest longings.
Leader: So let us eat of tonight's meal with our sorrow lessened
People: By the hope of that future feast
Leader: Which will usher in the era of eternal joy.
People: Amen.
Leader: What can I give back to God
People: For the blessings he's poured out to me?
Leader: I'll lift high the cup of salvation --
People: A toast to God!
Leader: I'll pray in the name of God;
People: I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
Leader: And I'll do it together with his people
People: In the place of worship, God's house.
Leader: I'm ready to offer the thanks to God.
People: Hallelujah to our God!
Leader: Hallelujah!
Prayer Of Confession
Exodus passage.
Leader: Blood on the doorpost,
People: And people huddling inside,
Leader: While the angel of death passes over
People: Looking for other homes in which to reside.
Leader: And groans and wails
People: From sad mother's lips
Leader: As many first sons lay dying.
People: Now graves are dug
Leader: And hearts feel ripped
People: As there is no end to the crying.
Leader: But God's people
People: Who have been spared
Leader: And whose freedom has been assured,
People: Seem unable to understand
Leader: That the way has been made clear
People: For them to enter in
Leader: To God's eternal promised land.
People: Instead we still live
Leader: Sad lives of desperation,
People: Enslaved by our own fears
Leader: When we should be living
People: With abundant expectation
Leader: Of fullness of joy and of years.
People: So let's shake off the shackles
Leader: Of fear and smallness
People: And live big and beautiful lives,
Leader: For we are no longer slaves
People: But kids of the King
Leader: Who made us to more than simply survive.
People: So let's live,
Leader: Yes, live.
People: O Father, forgive
Leader: That so often we run and hide.
People: Now let's live,
Leader: Yes, live,
People: For the Father's forgiven;
Leader: Our foolishness has been put aside.
People: So we can live,
Leader: Yes, we can live,
People: Fully and forever alive.
Leader: Amen.
Option two.
Leader: They say that love isn't really love ...
People: Until you give it away.
Leader: I say forgiveness cannot be truly received until we extend it to others.
People: O gracious God,
Leader: You who have forgiven our every stray thought
People: And rebellious act,
Leader: We confess that we have not been as generous with forgiveness as you.
People: We have held grudges,
Leader: Nursed bitterness,
People: Plotted vengeance,
Leader: Exacted retribution.
People: Forgive us
Leader: As we forgive others.
People: Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. How precious is the blood of Jesus, Lamb of God, which was shed for all the sins of the world. In him we are forgiven, passed over by death and brought into eternal life.
Prayer For Illumination
Like Peter, we do not realize at the time what Jesus is doing or calling us to when he expresses the depths of his love. O Lord, give us eyes of faith and increase our capacity to understand your ways and your presence here among us. Perfect Teacher, make your word and actions clear to us, so that we may follow your example and learn from you. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
We gather together in remembrance of that night Jesus spent with his disciples, an intimate gathering to share the joys and sorrows of their lives and what lay ahead. In this time of prayer, let us with love and compassion and hope share our joys and sorrows with one another. As each concern is shared, remember Jesus is in our midst. He hears and heals all that we bring to him.
Benediction
On a night like this, long ago, Jesus committed himself to the painful way of the cross. And for his disciples, who had placed all their hopes in him, the light that he had lit in their lives began going out. As this night ended, the light was barely flickering, and hope was running out. But ...
John 13:34-35
"My beloved friends," says Jesus, "a new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have you, so you must love one another. All will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Hymns
According To Thy Gracious Word
Break Thou The Bread Of Life
Come Celebrate Jesus
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face To Face
In Remembrance
Let Us Break Bread Together
Contemporary Choruses
These choruses are used for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
At The Cross
I Will Offer Up My Life
Lamb Of God
Nail In His Hands, The
We Are The Reason, David Meece
Wonderful Cross, The, Chris Tomlin
Other Music
These music listings are for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Crucified With Christ, Phillips, Craig, and Dean
God So Loved The World, Jaci Valasquez
Based on John 3:16.
How Deep The Father's Love, Sara Sadler
The cross shows us how deep is God's love for us.
Sometimes Love, Chris Rice
The song says that sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand.
