ORDER OF WORSHIP
MAUNDY THURSDAY WITH COMMUNION
4-01-2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME and GUIDANCE FOR TONIGHT’S SERVICE
CALL TO WORSHIP
What shall we offer for all God’s goodness to us?
Let us lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy God, source and sovereign, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ—Christ, who washes our feet in humble service. Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Lord, we pray. Amen.
HYMN #94 “An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare”
An upper room did our Lord prepare
For those He loved until the end:
And His disciples still gather there
To celebrate their risen Friend
A lasting gift Jesus gave His own;
To share His bread, His loving cup.
Whatever burdens may bow us down,
He by His cross shall lift us up.
And after supper He washed their feet,
For service, too, is sacrament.
In Christ our joy shall be made complete;
Sent out to serve, as He was sent.
No end there is! We depart in peace,
He loves beyond the uttermost;
In every room in our Father’s house
Christ will be there, as Lord and Host.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. If we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we receive discipline so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
With confidence in God’s abundant mercy,
let us examine ourselves and confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill your will. Though you have bound yourself to us, we will not bind ourselves to you. In Jesus Christ you serve us freely, but we refuse your love and withhold ourselves from others. We do not love you fully or love one another as you command. In your mercy, forgive and cleanse us. Lead us once again to your table and unite us to Christ, who is the bread of life and the vine from which we grow in grace.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
After Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? If I, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”
Friends, hear and believe the good news of the gospel;
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Eternal God, by your Word and Spirit, you have given us a new commandment: to love and serve one another in Jesus’ name. Let the good news of your liberating love be sealed in our hearts and shown in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (read responsively)
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
John 13:1-7, 31b-35
1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
31b Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We proclaim Christ crucified—the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - THE APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”
Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
He had to walk it by Himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for Him;
He had to walk it by Himself.
We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
You must go and stand your trial;
You have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
You have to stand it by yourself.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Loving, listening God, ever-attentive to the voices of those in need, we call on your name so that we might live. Now hear our prayer:
For the church that bears Christ’s name,
that the world may know we are his disciples
by the love that we have for one another.
For leaders of nations and all persons in positions of authority,
that their lives may be marked by Christ-like service and love.
For all who are oppressed and living in captivity,
that they may escape from evil and death
to find the land of freedom you have promised.
For those who are hungry and thirsty this day
and for those who have too much,
that we may learn to share your generous gifts, O God.
For those who are dealing with loss or facing death,
that the presence of Christ may bless and keep them.
Answer us in the day of trouble, O God,
so that we may lift up the cup of salvation
in the presence of your people,
giving thanks for all your goodness to us;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
The Lord’s Table is set for us. All who would trust in Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome.
Hear the words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ;
The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,
and after giving thanks to God,
He broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat.
This is my Body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying:
This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
Do this in remembrance of me.
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.
With thanksgiving, let us offer God our grateful praise.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O Lord our God, creator and ruler of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth, and create the fruit of the vine. You made us in your image, and freed us from the bonds of slavery. You claimed us as your people, and made covenant to be our God. You fed us manna in the wilderness, and brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey. When we forgot you, and our faith was weak, you spoke through prophets, calling us to turn again to your ways.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celestial choirs and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
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.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, whom you sent to deliver us from the bondage of death and slavery to sin. In humility he descends from your heights, to kneel in obedience to love’s commands. He who is boundless takes on the bondage of our sin. He who is free takes our place in death’s prison.
In the deserts of our wanderings, he sustains us, giving us his body as manna for our weariness. The cup of suffering which he drank has become for us the cup of salvation. In his death, he ransomed us from death’s dominion; in his resurrection, he opened the way to eternal life.
Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.
According to his commandments:
We remember his passion,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of b read and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.
Lead us, O God, by the power of your Spirit to live as love commands. Bound to Christ, set us free for joyful obedience and glad service. As Jesus gave his life for ours, help us to live our lives for others with humility and persistent courage. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when, with the redeemed of all ages, we will feast with you at your table in glory. Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen.
Let us pray now with confidence as children of God the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD and RAISING OF THE CUP
HYMN “Let Us Break Bread Together”
Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of grace, your Son Jesus Christ left us this holy meal of bread and wine in which we share his body and blood. May we who have celebrated this sign of his great love show in our lives the fruits of his redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC “They Came and Led Him Away” Richard Smith, soloist
HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
Pastor removes paraments, robe, stole, extinguishes Christ candle. Lights turned off. Pastor closes the Book symbolizing the sealing of the tomb. Lights turned on.
All depart in silence.
END OF SERVICE
(Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020--2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA, and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 92, 274-277.
MAUNDY THURSDAY WITH COMMUNION
4-01-2021
PRELUDE
WELCOME and GUIDANCE FOR TONIGHT’S SERVICE
CALL TO WORSHIP
What shall we offer for all God’s goodness to us?
Let us lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Holy God, source and sovereign, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ—Christ, who washes our feet in humble service. Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Lord, we pray. Amen.
HYMN #94 “An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare”
An upper room did our Lord prepare
For those He loved until the end:
And His disciples still gather there
To celebrate their risen Friend
A lasting gift Jesus gave His own;
To share His bread, His loving cup.
Whatever burdens may bow us down,
He by His cross shall lift us up.
And after supper He washed their feet,
For service, too, is sacrament.
In Christ our joy shall be made complete;
Sent out to serve, as He was sent.
No end there is! We depart in peace,
He loves beyond the uttermost;
In every room in our Father’s house
Christ will be there, as Lord and Host.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. If we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we receive discipline so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
With confidence in God’s abundant mercy,
let us examine ourselves and confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill your will. Though you have bound yourself to us, we will not bind ourselves to you. In Jesus Christ you serve us freely, but we refuse your love and withhold ourselves from others. We do not love you fully or love one another as you command. In your mercy, forgive and cleanse us. Lead us once again to your table and unite us to Christ, who is the bread of life and the vine from which we grow in grace.
(Silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
After Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? If I, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”
Friends, hear and believe the good news of the gospel;
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Eternal God, by your Word and Spirit, you have given us a new commandment: to love and serve one another in Jesus’ name. Let the good news of your liberating love be sealed in our hearts and shown in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalm 51:15
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 (read responsively)
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
John 13:1-7, 31b-35
1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
31b Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We proclaim Christ crucified—the wisdom and power of God.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 1:23–25
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - THE APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”
Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
He had to walk it by Himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for Him;
He had to walk it by Himself.
We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
You must go and stand your trial;
You have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
You have to stand it by yourself.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Loving, listening God, ever-attentive to the voices of those in need, we call on your name so that we might live. Now hear our prayer:
For the church that bears Christ’s name,
that the world may know we are his disciples
by the love that we have for one another.
For leaders of nations and all persons in positions of authority,
that their lives may be marked by Christ-like service and love.
For all who are oppressed and living in captivity,
that they may escape from evil and death
to find the land of freedom you have promised.
For those who are hungry and thirsty this day
and for those who have too much,
that we may learn to share your generous gifts, O God.
For those who are dealing with loss or facing death,
that the presence of Christ may bless and keep them.
Answer us in the day of trouble, O God,
so that we may lift up the cup of salvation
in the presence of your people,
giving thanks for all your goodness to us;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
The Lord’s Table is set for us. All who would trust in Christ as Lord and Savior are welcome.
Hear the words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ;
The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,
and after giving thanks to God,
He broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat.
This is my Body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way he took the cup, saying:
This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
Do this in remembrance of me.
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.
With thanksgiving, let us offer God our grateful praise.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, O Lord our God, creator and ruler of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth, and create the fruit of the vine. You made us in your image, and freed us from the bonds of slavery. You claimed us as your people, and made covenant to be our God. You fed us manna in the wilderness, and brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey. When we forgot you, and our faith was weak, you spoke through prophets, calling us to turn again to your ways.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with the celestial choirs and with all the faithful of every time and place, who forever sing to the glory of your name:
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.
You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, whom you sent to deliver us from the bondage of death and slavery to sin. In humility he descends from your heights, to kneel in obedience to love’s commands. He who is boundless takes on the bondage of our sin. He who is free takes our place in death’s prison.
In the deserts of our wanderings, he sustains us, giving us his body as manna for our weariness. The cup of suffering which he drank has become for us the cup of salvation. In his death, he ransomed us from death’s dominion; in his resurrection, he opened the way to eternal life.
Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us, and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.
According to his commandments:
We remember his passion,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of b read and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.
Lead us, O God, by the power of your Spirit to live as love commands. Bound to Christ, set us free for joyful obedience and glad service. As Jesus gave his life for ours, help us to live our lives for others with humility and persistent courage. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when, with the redeemed of all ages, we will feast with you at your table in glory. Through Christ, all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit in the holy church, now and forever. Amen.
Let us pray now with confidence as children of God the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
BREAKING OF THE BREAD and RAISING OF THE CUP
HYMN “Let Us Break Bread Together”
Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of grace, your Son Jesus Christ left us this holy meal of bread and wine in which we share his body and blood. May we who have celebrated this sign of his great love show in our lives the fruits of his redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC “They Came and Led Him Away” Richard Smith, soloist
HYMN “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
Pastor removes paraments, robe, stole, extinguishes Christ candle. Lights turned off. Pastor closes the Book symbolizing the sealing of the tomb. Lights turned on.
All depart in silence.
END OF SERVICE
(Thanks to everyone who helped out with our worship this morning. It takes a village to raise a child the saying says. It takes a village to do worship virtually, our new saying during these days of pandemic. Stay safe and well. Pray often. Love always! Blessings for your week! )
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020--2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA, and from the Book of Common Worship, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993; pg. 92, 274-277.