Virtual Holy Thursday service

Mandatum novum do vobis ut
(A new commandment I give you)

Prelude

Entrance:                                           — Pastor Charles and Amy A.

 

We join a solemn journey of three days that has changed the world and our own lives. Followers of Jesus have been taking this journey since His first followers took it, long ago. This is the night of love.

 

On the night Jesus took a towel and basin and washed His disciples' feet. On this night He told them to do the same for others to show their love for Him and for one another. This is the night of love.

 

On this night, followers of Jesus have invited those preparing for baptism to begin with them a solemn vigil of prayer and fasting until the day of Christ's resurrection is fulfilled. This is the night of love.

 

On this night, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His followers for the last time and invited them to remember Him to encounter Him anew, whenever they did the same. This is the night of love.

 

On this night, followers of Jesus have welcomed those who have returned to the way of Jesus after a time of wandering and a journey of returning. This is the night of love.

 

This is the night of love.

And so, on this night, we welcome the penitent --
all here have wandered- -
and invite all preparing --
all here are still learning --
to join us in hearing and obeying
the commandment of our Master
and to feast at His table,
that we may love one another
as He has loved us.

Come, ye sinners.
Come, ye thirsty.
Come, ye weary.
Come to the night of love.

 

Hymn: “Come and Fill Our Hearts (Confitemini Domino),” The Taizé Community

 

Lectio, Reflectio and Collectio: Inviting All to Listen and Obey the Spirit

Readers: Martha B., Don B., and Louise C.

 

Reading: John 13:1-7, 12-16, 34-35

The gospel is read three times, with pauses between each reading for reflection. .

 

Music: "Holy Spirit, Come to us” (Veni Sanctae Spiritus) The Taizé Community

 

Sermon: “What’s love got to do with it?”  — Pastor Charles

Music: “In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful,” The Taizé Community

Pastor: This is the night of love. And this is the table of love. At this table, Christ, who loves us, is with us. He is with us, and we are His. We belong to God. 

 

And so, we pray:
We are Yours, all Yours, blessed Triune God, all our lives, all our thanks, all our praise, all our fears, all our grumbling, all our hesitations, all our loves, all our joys, all our passions, we give them all to You, with bodies, and minds and voices. Yours, all Yours!

 

Yours the blessing, Yours the praise, from the unimaginable silence before the big bang, beyond the farthest reaches of time and space we may ever find, from infinity to infinity, everlasting to everlasting, You are God, boundless in love and power.

What are we that you should notice us? What are we that you should love us? What are we that you should call us into covenant with You, a covenant we continually broke and you continuously sustained. Mercy! How full of mercy!

 

How can we but praise You, joining our voices with the song of angels and saints, seraphim and martyrs, strangers, and family in every generation:

Jesus Christ who comes in our God's name, You are worthy, worthy! Lamb of God for all creation slain, You are worthy, worthy! Hosanna to our King! Hosanna to our King!

 

You are holy, O God! You are worthy, O Christ worthy in Your birth! Worthy in Your living!
Worthy in Your loving! Worthy in Your serving!

Worthy! Worthy! Worthy! You preached good news that God's kingdom has drawn near and gathered disciples, then and now, to learn and show the world what life in God's reign means:

 

Healing for the sick, new life for the dead, cleansing for the lepers, sight for the blinded, food for the hungry, freedom for the possessed, love poured out for all.

Worthy the night You took a towel and basin, washed Your disciples' feet, and taught them to do likewise.

 

Worthy too, the same night we betrayed You, when You took the bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to Your disciples. Worthy when You told them, "This is my body broken for you. Remember me." We remember.

 

Worthy when You took the cup, praised God and shared it, and worthy when You said, "This is my blood of the new covenant for you. Remember me." We remember.

 

We remember, and we praise You with our lives and these gifts of bread and wine, proclaiming with one voice the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

 

Come upon us, Holy Spirit. Come upon us, Holy Spirit.

Come upon these gifts. Come upon these gifts.

Make them be for us Christ's body, Christ's blood. Make us one body in Christ enlivened in love by His blood.

One in heart, one in mind, one in you, Holy Spirit, as you move us to pray for the church and the world: That we may proclaim the gospel boldly: Hear us, Lord.

That healing may come for people who are sick, and peoples who are torn and weary: Hear us, Lord.

That many dead and left for dead may be raised, and death itself vanquished: Hear us, Lord.

That all who are unclean may receive Your cleansing grace: Hear us, Lord.

That all who are possessed, oppressed, distressed, depressed and downcast may be set free at last. Hear us, Lord.

That we may love one another, and all Your creation, as You have loved us. Hear us, Lord.

Even so, come and fill this feast, Holy Spirit, on this night, and every night until we eat it new at the marriage supper of the Lamb! All blessing, honor, glory, and power be Yours, Holy Triune God, now and forever. Amen! 

The Lord’s Prayer

 

Receiving together

 

Thanksgiving after Communion:
Thank You, God, for uniting us with Jesus in this holy mystery. We are no longer our own, but Yours. So, send us, and put us to leading and serving, loving as You have loved us wherever we go. Amen.

 

Music: “O Lord, Hear My Prayer,” The Taizé Community

 

Pastor: This is the night of love. Go forth in the strength of this feast, in the care of this community, and with the love and blessing of our Triune God. Amen.

 

Postlude:                                                       

__________________________________________________________ 

Amy A. (liturgist), Belinda A. (slides/recording), Lorie C. (piano), & Ron R. (song leader)

Burton-Edwards, Taylor. (n.d.) Maundy Thursday in an Alternative/Emergent Mode. Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/maundy-thursday-in-an-alternativeemergent-mode