Maundy Thursday Zoom Worship
4.9.2020 Year A
Maundy Thursday Devotional Donna Flint/Elizabeth Fox
This is a short reflection to be used with your family around the dinner table.
Maundy Thursday is the day we observe the last supper of Jesus and his disciples at which Jesus gives his disciples his final mandate – Love one another.
Let’s read Luke 22:7-38
The Last Supper
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 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, 11 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?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 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.”
20 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. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
As you sit tonight with your family, remember Jesus and his disciples at their table 2000 years ago. Tonight we celebrate, just as we do each month, the Lord ’s Supper. We celebrate His last meal with his disciples and take time to give thanks for our own communion with Jesus Christ. The Last Supper reminds us that God gave us Jesus for so many reasons. He is our light, he is our example, he is our teacher, and he is our nourishment. We, as Presbyterians, do not believe that the bread and wine of communion are transubstantiated (changed) physically into the body and blood of Jesus. We believe that they are symbols reminding us of Jesus’ sacrifice making him our savior, through God’s grace. We sin but we are forgiven. As you eat dinner tonight, imagine Jesus’ final dinner with his disciples. Remember that you know so much more now than his disciples knew then- you know that not only did Jesus go from that meal to a moment of great sacrifice for us, but that moment was followed three days later by the miracle of His resurrection. Remember that Christ died to save you and to show you that death is not final. As you eat dinner tonight, remember that God loves you and remember that you share this gift of God’s grace with those with whom you share this meal- at this table and at tables of Christians around the world.
WORDS OF WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Jesus said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (John. 13:34)
On this day Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him. On this day Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. On this day Christ took a towel and washed the disciples' feet, giving us an example that we should do to others as he has done to us. On this day Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his holy sacrifice and be partakers of his resurrection, and at the last day, may reign with him in heaven.
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment; to love one another as he loved them. Write this commandment in our hearts; give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, who gave his life and died for us, yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION:
The proof of God's amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another:
CONFESSION: Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill you 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. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS:
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives all our sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, keep you in eternal life. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the words of eternal life: through Jesus Christ, our bread of heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
First Reading: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1I 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!
Second Reading: I 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.
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD:
(By offering up our time, talents, intellect and resources, we’re asking God’s blessings upon them. Please prayerfully consider sending your tithes/offerings to the church by mail or via online banking. Sharing of ourselves within a phone call/text or email is another way in the offering of ourselves.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Lord you are the great teacher! You led by example. We study your actions, and realize the depth of your love and commitment. We beseech you to have mercy upon us. Free us from all constraints and help us to give freely. We offer ourselves, our prayers, presence, gifts, witness and service, to you, now and forever. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (David S. Bell)
THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray together:
God of grace, we give you thanks for the feast of redemption we are about to share. As you have nourished us with love, let our lives proclaim your great love for the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE: THE PASSION NARRATIVE
Matthew 26:14-25
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
EXTINGUISHING THE CHRIST CANDLE
HYMN “The Old Rugged Cross”
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Words: George Bennard, 1913. Music and Setting: 'The Old Rugged Cross' George Bennard, 1913. copyright: public domain. This score is a part of the Open Hymnal Project, 2010 Revision. http://openhymnal.org/Lyrics/The_Old_Rugged_Cross-Old_Rugged_Cross.html
SENDING: (on Maundy Thursday there is no benediction)
Go forth in peace. As Christ loved you, love one another.
(Taken from the Book of Common Worship, pgs. 269-279, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993)
Our thanks to Donna Flint and Elizabeth Fox for providing tonight’s devotional.
4.9.2020 Year A
Maundy Thursday Devotional Donna Flint/Elizabeth Fox
This is a short reflection to be used with your family around the dinner table.
Maundy Thursday is the day we observe the last supper of Jesus and his disciples at which Jesus gives his disciples his final mandate – Love one another.
Let’s read Luke 22:7-38
The Last Supper
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 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, 11 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?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 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.”
20 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. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“That’s enough!” he replied.
As you sit tonight with your family, remember Jesus and his disciples at their table 2000 years ago. Tonight we celebrate, just as we do each month, the Lord ’s Supper. We celebrate His last meal with his disciples and take time to give thanks for our own communion with Jesus Christ. The Last Supper reminds us that God gave us Jesus for so many reasons. He is our light, he is our example, he is our teacher, and he is our nourishment. We, as Presbyterians, do not believe that the bread and wine of communion are transubstantiated (changed) physically into the body and blood of Jesus. We believe that they are symbols reminding us of Jesus’ sacrifice making him our savior, through God’s grace. We sin but we are forgiven. As you eat dinner tonight, imagine Jesus’ final dinner with his disciples. Remember that you know so much more now than his disciples knew then- you know that not only did Jesus go from that meal to a moment of great sacrifice for us, but that moment was followed three days later by the miracle of His resurrection. Remember that Christ died to save you and to show you that death is not final. As you eat dinner tonight, remember that God loves you and remember that you share this gift of God’s grace with those with whom you share this meal- at this table and at tables of Christians around the world.
WORDS OF WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Jesus said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. (John. 13:34)
On this day Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him. On this day Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. On this day Christ took a towel and washed the disciples' feet, giving us an example that we should do to others as he has done to us. On this day Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his holy sacrifice and be partakers of his resurrection, and at the last day, may reign with him in heaven.
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment; to love one another as he loved them. Write this commandment in our hearts; give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, who gave his life and died for us, yet is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION:
The proof of God's amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Because we have faith in him, we dare to approach God with confidence. In faith and penitence, let us confess our sin before God and one another:
CONFESSION: Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill you 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. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS:
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives all our sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, keep you in eternal life. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION:
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the words of eternal life: through Jesus Christ, our bread of heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
First Reading: Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1I 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!
Second Reading: I 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.
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD:
(By offering up our time, talents, intellect and resources, we’re asking God’s blessings upon them. Please prayerfully consider sending your tithes/offerings to the church by mail or via online banking. Sharing of ourselves within a phone call/text or email is another way in the offering of ourselves.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Lord you are the great teacher! You led by example. We study your actions, and realize the depth of your love and commitment. We beseech you to have mercy upon us. Free us from all constraints and help us to give freely. We offer ourselves, our prayers, presence, gifts, witness and service, to you, now and forever. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. (David S. Bell)
THE INVITATION TO THE TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
SHARING THE MEAL
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray together:
God of grace, we give you thanks for the feast of redemption we are about to share. As you have nourished us with love, let our lives proclaim your great love for the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE: THE PASSION NARRATIVE
Matthew 26:14-25
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
EXTINGUISHING THE CHRIST CANDLE
HYMN “The Old Rugged Cross”
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Words: George Bennard, 1913. Music and Setting: 'The Old Rugged Cross' George Bennard, 1913. copyright: public domain. This score is a part of the Open Hymnal Project, 2010 Revision. http://openhymnal.org/Lyrics/The_Old_Rugged_Cross-Old_Rugged_Cross.html
SENDING: (on Maundy Thursday there is no benediction)
Go forth in peace. As Christ loved you, love one another.
(Taken from the Book of Common Worship, pgs. 269-279, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville KY, 1993)
Our thanks to Donna Flint and Elizabeth Fox for providing tonight’s devotional.