Maundy Thursday Concerning the Service The Paschal mystery is the heart of the Christian Gospel. Maundy Thursday begins the Triduum (the sacred three days). The services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and The Great Vigil of the Resurrection form a single liturgy in three parts; thus, the final blessing and dismissal is reserved for the conclusion of the Great Vigil. Maundy Thursday receives its name from the mandatum (commandment) given by our Lord: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them to love and serve one another as he had done. This day commemorates the Lord’s example of servant ministry, the institution of the Eucharist, the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal leading to the crucifixion.
PROCESSIONAL SONG
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“Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery”
OPENING ACCLAMATION Celebrant: People:
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. His mercy endures for ever.
Celebrant: This is the night that Christ the Son of Man gathered with
his disciples in the upper room. This is the night that Christ our Lord and Master took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, calling us to love one another as he has loved us. This is the night that Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his perfect sacrifice. This is the night that Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him.
COLLECT OF THE DAY Celebrant: People: Celebrant:
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Let us pray. Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Please be seated.
FIRST LESSON
Exodus 12:1-14
The readings may be found on the inside of the back page of the program jacket. Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND LESSON
1 Cor 11:23-26
The readings may be found on the inside of the back page of the program jacket. Reader: People:
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 3
GOSPEL SONG
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“Behold the Lamb”
GOSPEL Reader: People:
Luke 22:14-30 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The readings may be found on the inside of the back page of the program jacket. Reader: People:
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
SERMON
The Rev. Gregory Smith, Rector
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE After each bidding there is a time for the Clergy and People to add their own prayers, silently or aloud. Celebrant: Reader:
People: Reader:
People: Reader:
People: Reader: People: Reader: People: Reader:
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, saying, “Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer. For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer. For Foley, our Archbishop, and Mark, our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people of our diocese and congregation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer. For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; and for all who teach and disciple others, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer. For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer. For our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... Hear our prayer. For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... 5
Hear our prayer. For all those who departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection, in thanksgiving let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy... People: Hear our prayer. Reader: Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. You are invited to add your prayers either silently or aloud. Celebrant: Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. People: Amen. People: Reader:
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Celebrant: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the
truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God. 1 John 1:8-9 Celebrant: Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. People:
Celebrant: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy
has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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COMFORTABLE WORDS Celebrant: Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the perfect offering for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 Please stand.
GREETING OF PEACE Celebrant: People:
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And with your spirit.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. Gregory M. Smith Rector
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The Holy Communion OFFERTORY SENTENCE ANTHEM Choir:
“Lord, Here am I”
By: John Ness Beck
Master, Thou callest, I gladly obey: Only direct me, and I’ll find Thy way. Teach me the mission appointed for me. What is my labor, And where it shall be? Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.” Willing, my Savior, to take up the cross. Willing to suffer Reproaches and loss; Willing to follow, if Thou will but lead; Only support me with grace in my need. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.” Living or dying I still would be Thine, Yet I am mortal while Thou art divine. Pardon, whenever I turn from the right; Pity, and bring me again to the light. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.”
SURSUM CORDA Celebrant: People:
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Celebrant:
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: People:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is just and right so to do.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere
to give thanks to you, Father Almighty.
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Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who for our sins was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; who by his suffering and death became the author of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
SANCTUS
S–125
Setting By: Richard Proulx
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your tender mercy, you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He offered himself and made, once for all time, a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. He instituted this remembrance of his passion and death, which he commanded us to continue until he comes again. So now, Father, we ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine that we may partake of his most blessed Body and Blood. Celebrant:
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On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Lord and heavenly Father, with these holy gifts we celebrate the memorial instituted by your beloved Son, remembering his passion and death, his resurrection and ascension, and his promise to come again. Grant that by his merits and death, and through faith in his Blood, we and your whole Church may receive forgiveness of our sins and all other benefits of his passion, making us one body with him that he may dwell in us, and we in him. And here we offer to you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a living sacrifice, through Jesus Christ our Lord. By him and with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen. And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray: All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
THE FRACTION Celebrant: People:
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Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed, once and for all upon the cross. Therefore let us keep the feast.
PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS We do not presume to come to this your Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your Table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. All:
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. John 1:29, Revelation 19:9 Celebrant:
INVITATION TO COMMUNION Holy Communion is an open and welcoming Table as the Lord himself is the host of this meal. All who have been baptized are invited forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Those who prefer not to receive Communion are welcome to come forward for a blessing.
COMMUNION HYMN
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
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COMMUNION HYMN 12
“How Beautiful”
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POST COMMUNION PRAYER Celebrant: Let us pray. All: Heavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the
spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ: and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal Kingdom. And now Father, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. All KNEEL The final blessing and dismissal are omitted. The Lights dim while the Altar party recesses. The altar is stripped in silence.
HYMN
172, Were you there when they crucified my Lord WERE YOU THERE Congregation and choir sing verses 1 & 2. Verse 3 will be sung by a soloist.
Silence is kept for prayer after the music has concluded. Please feel free to remain and pray as long as you would like.
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Music Notes by: Ashley Sosis “Could you not watch with me one hour?” Those heartbreaking words remind us that the Lord calls us, as he did to his disciples, to wait, watch and pray with Him especially during this holiest of weeks. Our two choral anthems are a response to that reading. “How Beautiful” describes the Church as the living body of Christ. In “Lord, Here am I,” we pledge to be the church at its best. Here we are Lord, choose us, help us, guide us! As we participate in a Seder Meal and worship together (Christ and his Disciples did sing a hymn after the Passover meal in the upper room), we celebrate our familial love with eachother as a church. A prayer usually included in Maundy Thursday services on this theme is “Ubi Caritas.” Here is the English translation of the full prayer. “Where there is charity and love, God is there. The love of Christ has gathered us together. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us revere and love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one another. Likewise, wherefore, when we come together, let us be united as one; Let us be careful, lest we be divided in intention. Let us cease all quarrels and strife. And Let Christ dwell in the midst of us. May we also see, along with the blessed, The glory of your face, O Christ. And let there be immeasurable joy both now and for evermore. Amen.” As Christ loves us, may we also love one another. (John 13:34) As Christ served his disciples, may we also serve one another. (John 13:14) We are the Body of Christ!
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