2025_Holy_Thursday_Worship_Bulletin by Centenary United Methodist Church

HOLY THURSDAY • APRIL 17, 2025 • 7:00PM

WE GATHER AS GOD'S PEOPLE

PRELUDE

OPENING PRAYER

†HYMN

HOLY THURSDAY LITANY

Le Banquet Céleste — Olivier Messiaen

Loving Christ, on this night of remembrance, we remember your loving gift of life, and we celebrate your presence amongst us. Send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we may sense your presence and bathe in your grace. Send your Holy Spirit on the sacred gifts of bread and wine that they may become for us your living presence full of mercy and grace. In your loving name we pray. Amen.

#297 Beneath the Cross of Jesus — ST. CHRISTOPHER

Lord tonight we remember the sacrifice you made for us

Giving your love to the end

You kneel to wash our feet

Showing your love to the end

We are called to care for one another

Sharing your love to the end

SCRIPTURE

PSALM 116:1-2, 12-19

I love the Lord because he hears my requests for mercy. I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me. What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? I’ll lift up the cup of salvation. I’ll call on the Lord’s name. I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people. The death of the Lord’s faithful is a costly loss in his eyes. Oh yes, Lord, I am definitely your servant! I am your servant and the son of your female servant—you’ve freed me from my chains. So I’ll offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you, and I’ll call on the Lord’s name. I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people, in the courtyards of the Lord’s house, which is in the center of Jerusalem. (CEB)

LUKE 22:7-23

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Ubi caritas — Ola Gjeilo

Where charity and love are, 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. Amen.

"Life In-Between"

My sisters and brothers, Christ shows us his love by becoming a humble servant. Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God’s Spirit.

Most merciful God, we your Church confess that often our spirit has not been that of Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as he loves us, where we have pledged loyalty to him with our lips and then betrayed, deserted, or denied him, forgive us, we pray; and by your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ. But Christ suffered and died for us, was raised from the dead and ascended on high for us, and continues to intercede for us. Believe the good news: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! Glory to God. Amen.

ANTHEM

SERMON

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

...And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

...And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again .

... Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father (God), now and for ever.

Amen.

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. Amen.

RECEIVING OF ELEMENTS

#290 Go to Dark Gethsemane — REDHEAD 76

Ah, Holy Jesus — Donald McCullough Ah, holy Jesus, how have you offended that mortal judgment has on you descended? By foes derided, by your own rejected, O most afflicted! Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon you? It is my treason, Lord that has undone you. 'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied you; I crucified you. For me, dear Jesus, was your incarnation, your mortal sorrow, and your life's oblation; your death of anguish and your bitter passion, for my salvation. Therefore, dear Jesus, since I cannot pay you, I do adore you and will every pray you, think on your pityand your love unswerving, not my deserving.

We depart in silence.