Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service

April 1, 6:30pm

Welcome & Words about the Tenebrae Service

Call to Worship:                                       Luke 9:22-24  (Unison)

“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”  Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Introit                                                           

The Announcement of Betrayal                   Luke 22:1-6

Hymn                                            My Song Is Love Unknown         (verses 1-2)                                    #209

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, you come to us in astonishing ways – humble, yet with authority; helpless, yet with the power to save.  You have given us a new commandment – to love one another as you have loved us.  Forgive us Lord, for we have not followed your lead.  We confess to you our cowardice, and our denial of you in our lives.  Cleanse us and renew us that our lives may show forth the love and grace we have received from you.  For we offer our prayer to you in the strong name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

Assurance of Forgiveness

Pastor:                               Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.

Congregation:                   In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.  Thanks be to God!

 

Preparing for the Passover                   Luke 22:7-13

Hymn                                      An Upper Room Did our Lord Prepare                           (Verses 1-2)           #202

The Supper                                                 Luke 22:14-30

Communion Meditation                     “The Redemptive Meal”                                    Rev. Jeff Smith

Invitation to the Table

Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution

The Supper

Closing Prayer

Hymn                                     An Upper Room Did our Lord Prepare                            (Verse 3)               #202

 

THE JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS

SHADOW OF DESERTION & FORSAKENNESS                              Luke 22:31-46

               RESPONSE:                                What Wondrous Love Is This”                                                   #215

Silent Prayer:  Lord, like Peter we promise to follow you to the death, and yet when trouble comes our way, we leave you behind.  Yet, you have come to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of world; even our sin of desertion. 

SHADOW OF BETRAYAL                                                                      Luke 22:47-54

               RESPONSE:       Choir: Your Only Son: Lamb of God                                                                  #518

Silent Prayer:  Lord, like Judas we have betrayed you in thought, word, and deed.  When you do not    give us what we want, we “sell you out” for things that will temporarily satisfy us.  Yet, you have come as the true Bread of Life and the Living Water that will always satisfy us. 

SHADOW OF DENIAL                                                                             Luke 22:55-62

               RESPONSE:                                       Ah, Holy Jesus                                                                     #218

Silent Prayer:  Lord, like Peter we have denied you time after time, day after day.  We follow you when it’s convenient for us instead of giving you every moment of our lives.  Yet, you have come as the Good  Shepherd, always faithful to care for your sheep; even when they stray away. 

SHADOW OF MOCKERY                                                                        Luke 22:63-65

               RESPONSE:       Choir:                 Beneath the Cross of Jesus                                                      #216

Silent Prayer:  Lord, you have traded the majesty of heaven for the mockery of earth. You came to die, for each and everyone of us.  We are guilty of scorning you, guilty of putting you to death, and yet you endure this for us – that we may be reconciled to you.  Lord, have mercy upon us.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord, have mercy upon us! 

STRIPPING OF THE COMMUNION TABLE

SILENT MOMENTS OF REFLECTION

(We ask that everyone remain seated at the close of the service contemplating and meditating upon Jesus’ fate, as the darkness falls with Good Friday soon approaching.  You are invited to join us tomorrow at noon, for our Good Friday service.)

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The Meaning of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day during Holy Week in which Christians commemorate the event of the Last Supper. On that night almost 2000 years ago, Jesus and his disciples were celebrating a Passover meal when Jesus offered them the bread as his body and the wine as his blood in order to establish a new covenant with them. The word “Maundy” comes from a Latin term meaning “mandate” and refers to Jesus’ command to continue the celebration of this Last Supper. Each time we participate in communion (and especially on Maundy Thursday), the commandment of Jesus is being obeyed.