ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MAUNDY THURSDAY 6:30 pm • April 1, 2021
GATHERING Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People: God's mercy endures forever. Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray together. Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name even virtually you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn: 315, Thou, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray
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THE READINGS The three readings for this service Exodus 12:1-14, I Corinthians 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15 have been arranged in one continuous reading. Musical Offering: Siciliano from Sonata in E
J. S. Bach Meredith Flaherty, Flute Kathy Flaherty, Piano
THE HAND WASHING RITE Have a bowl of warm water, or hand sanitizer, clean, soft towels, and fragrant lotion/oil ready for this portion of the service. This poem is read. “Wash my Hands” by Lucy Nanson is a New Zealand Anchorite Wash my hands on Maundy Thursday not my feet My hands peel potatoes, wipe messes from the floor change dirty nappies, clean the grease from pots and pans 3
have pointed in anger and pushed away in tears in years past they’ve smacked a child and raised a fist fumbled with nervousness, shaken with fear I’ve wrung them when waiting for news to come crushed a letter I’d rather forget covered my mouth when I’ve been caught out touched forbidden things, childhood memories do not grow dim These hands have dug gardens, planted seeds picked fruit and berries, weeded out and pruned trees found bleeding from the rose’s thorns dirt and blood mix together when washed before a cup of tea Love expressed by them asks for your respect in the hand-shake of warm greeting, the gentle rubbing of a child’s bump the caressing of a lover, the softness of a baby’s cheek sounds of music played by them in tunes upon a flute they’ve held a frightened teenager, touched a father in his death where cold skin tells the end of life has come but not the end of love comforted a mother losing agility and health With my hands outstretched before you I stand humbled and in awe your gentle washing in water, the softness of the towel symbolizing a cleansing the servant-hood of Christ Wash my hands on Maundy Thursday and not my feet. Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, on the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the Kingdom of God come not by power, authority, or miracle, but by such simple service. If able, the gathered people should wash and anoint each other’s hands or wash his/her own hands. Taking their own or another person’s hands into theirs, wash the hands saying, Priest and people: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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After all the hands have been dried and anointed with lotion/oil, the leader prays I bless your hands, and the work that they do and the people that they touch, and the love that they give. When everyone’s hands have been washed and blessed, all pray together the following psalm. Psalm 116:1, 10-17 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. 10 How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? 11 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. 12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 13 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants. 14 O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds. 15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the Lord. 16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, 17 In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. The service concludes with the following: Leader: The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, “Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.” People: Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you. Leader: I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. People: Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you. 5
Leader: By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: People: That you have love for one another.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Please note that the men and women respond as a group in turns. Leader: If God had created us and not revealed himself in all his marvelous works: Men: It would have been enough. If God had revealed himself and not made a covenant with his people: Women: It would have been enough. If God had made a covenant with his people and not breathed his Spirit into us: Men: It would have been enough. If God had breathed his Spirit into us and not shared with us his love: Women: It would have been enough. If God had shared his love with us and not watched over us when we strayed from him: Men: It would have been enough. If God had watched over us when we strayed from him and not delivered us from the bonds of slavery: Women: It would have been enough. If God had delivered us from the bonds of slavery and not led us into a land of freedom: Men: It would have been enough. If God had led us into a land of freedom and not sent us holy men and women to speak to us of his love: Women: It would have been enough. If God had sent us holy men and women to speak of his love and not promised us a Savior: Men: It would have been enough. If God had promised us a Savior and not sent us his own beloved Son: Women: It would have been enough. If God had sent us Jesus, his own beloved Son, and had he not become our very brother: Men: It would have been enough. 6
If Jesus had become our very brother and not shared our joy and sorrows, our laughter and our tears: Women: It would have been enough. If Jesus had shared our life and not taught us how to forgive each other: Men: It would have been enough. If Jesus had taught us how to forgive each other and had not shown us how to love: Women: It would have been enough. If Jesus had taught us how to love and had not taught us how to serve each other: Men: It would have been enough. If Jesus had shown us how to serve each other and had not left us this supper as a reminder of his love: Women: It would have been enough. If Jesus had left us this supper as a reminder of his love and not called us to carry on his work in the world: Men: It would have been enough. Leader: But as it is, Father, your Son Jesus has revealed your love for us. His life, his death and his resurrection from the dead testify to your deep mercy and compassion. Therefore, Father, we bless and thank you, we praise and worship you with all creation, for you are worthy of our worship and beyond all the praises of our hearts. To you and to your Son, Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit belong all glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Peace Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you. Musical Offering: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed
Lani Smith Meredith Flaherty, Flute Kathy Flaherty, Piano
CELEBRATION OF THR LORD’S SUPPER & AGAPE MEAL The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Lift up your hearts. 7
People: We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Celebrant: It is indeed right, for you made us, and before us, you made the world we inhabit, and before the world, you made the eternal home in which, through Christ, we have a place. All that is spectacular, all that is plain have their origin in you; And grateful as we are for the world we know and the universe beyond our understanding, we particularly praise you, whom eternity cannot contain, for coming to earth and entering time in Jesus. For his life which informs our living, for his compassion which changes our hearts, for his clear speaking which contradicts our harmless generalities, for his disturbing presence, his innocent suffering, his fearless dying, his rising to life breathing forgiveness, we praise you and worship him. Therefore we gladly join our voices to the song of the Church on earth and in heaven: All say together 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. Celebrant: He was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Martha and Mary, he was always the guest. At the meal tables of the wealthy where he pled the case of the poor, he was always the guest. Upsetting polite company, befriending isolated people, welcoming the stranger, he was always the guest. But here at our tables, he is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him, those who want to follow him must first be fed by him, those who would wash his feet must first let him make them clean. For these are the tables, where God intends us to be nourished. So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, for a better life, for a fairer world Jesus Christ, who has sat at our tables, now invites us to be guests at his. To his followers in every age, Jesus gave an example and command rooted in the experience he shared with his disciples in an upstairs room in Jerusalem. On the night on which he was betrayed, and as they were sitting at a meal, Jesus took a piece of bread and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, ‘This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.’ Later, after they had eaten, he took a cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink this all of you, to remember me.’ So now we do as Jesus did. We take this bread and this wine, the produce of the earth and fruit of human labor. 8
In these, Jesus has promised to be present; through these, Christ can make us whole. And now, lest we believe that our praise alone fulfills your purpose, we fall silent and remember him who came because words weren’t enough. Setting our wisdom, our will our words aside, emptying our hearts, and bringing nothing in our hands, we yearn for the healing, the holding, the accepting, the forgiving which Christ alone can offer: Merciful God, send now in kindness, your Holy Spirit to settle on this bread and wine and fill them with the fullness of Jesus. And let that same Spirit rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of him whose food we now share. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer 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, for ever and ever. Amen.
BCP 364
The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant: Christ’s body was broken for us on the cross. People: Christ is the bread of life. Celebrant: His blood was shed for our forgiveness. People: Christ is risen from the dead. Everyone receives the consecrated bread from Communion to Go on Palm Sunday.
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Taize Chant: Eat this bread
Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You created the fruit of the vine; and on this night you have refreshed us with the spiritual cup of salvation in the Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. People: Glory to you forever and ever. Amen. Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth; and on this night you have given us the spiritual bread of life in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ. As grain scattered upon the earth is gathered into one loaf, so gather your Church in every place into the kingdom of your Son. People: To you be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. Leader: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You have blessed the earth to bring forth food to satisfy our hunger. Let this food strengthen us in the feast that is before us, that following our Savior in the way of the cross, we may come to the joy of his resurrection. People: For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and for ever. Amen. 10
Let us pray. Priest and people together Lord of the Feast, we thank you for gathering us as your people. We call to remembrance the many times we have been fed at your table and we lament our distance now. Be present Lord Jesus as you were present with your disciples, be known to us in the breaking of the bread, and may your Holy Spirit sustain us and all your Church until we can gather together again. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen. This portion of the service ends with the worshipers singing the Taizé Chant. Ubi Caritas Translation: Where there is charity and love, God is found.
Everyone is invited to enjoy their soup supper while sharing in fellowship on Zoom. We will put worshippers in break out rooms.
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THE STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR The video of the stripping of the altar will be played at this point. If you choose to leave the service, you will be able to watch it later on our website (stpetersglenside.org) or on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/St.PetersEpiscopalChurchGlenside ). Hymn: WLP 826, Stay with me
Psalm 22:1-21
Read by Bob Hartung
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 1
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‘Commit your cause to the Lord; let him deliver let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’ 9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 10 On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shrivelled; 17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19 But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me. 8
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Hymn: 171, Go to dark Gethsemane
ANNOUNCEMENTS Garden of Repose: Thursday evening through Friday evening This is an opportunity to experience those last hours of Jesus’ earthy life in the Garden of Repose in our chapel. Please come and pray, light candles, sit in silence and in the beauty of the garden and wait as Jesus had asked his disciples to do with him on his last earthly night. Good Friday: Tenebrae Service, 7:30 p.m. Live-streamed Service of Shadows in the sanctuary.
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Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. Live-streaming Festive Holy Eucharist. The service will conclude with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Easter Eggstravagansa! Since we can’t be in person for our annual Easter egg hunt, we will be giving away Easter eggs after the Easter service for you to hide on your own. All are welcome to pick up eggs…kids of all ages! Any questions, contact Helen Collins @ 215-913-4947. Drive-thru Easter Blessings: Rev'd. Emily and Rev'd. Laura will be offering special Holy Water Blessings immediately following the service in the church parking lot. Good Friday Offering Every year our Good Friday Offering goes to support the ministry of the Church in Jerusalem. The Good Friday Offering benefits the Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The history of the Good Friday Offering reaches back to 1922 when, in the aftermath of World War I, The Episcopal Church sought to create new relationships with and among the Christians of the Middle East. From these initial efforts which focused on a combination of relief work and the improvement of ecumenical and Anglican relations, the Good Friday Offering was created. Through the years many Episcopalians have found the Good Friday Offering to be an effective way to express their support for the ministries of the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Pastoral care, education and health care continue to be primary ministries through which the reconciling spirit of the Christian faith serves all in need. Participation in this ministry is welcome. The generous donations of Episcopalians help the Christian presence in the Land of the Holy One to be a vital and effective force for peace and understanding among all of God’s children. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/good-friday-offering/ Easter Offering It is our tradition that a portion of our Easter offering is given to a ministry beyond our walls. In our effort to support anti-racism work in our wider community, this year we are giving to Episcopal Community Services which empowers individuals and families to determine and follow their own paths. It’s the best way to transform communities. On their website, ECS states, "Our mission is to challenge and reduce intergenerational poverty. We increase the ability of people to improve their lives and achieve economic independence. We call upon every person to participate in sustainable, positive change for our communities. We envision a world where the path to prosperity is available to all." To learn more, go to https://ecsphilly.org/. Thank you for your generosity! 15