7 PM SILENT MEDITATION 7:30 PM WORSHIP
April 17, 2025 MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 17, 2025 • 7 PM Silent meditation | 7:30 pm worship
April 17, 2025 7:00-7:30 pm • Silent Meditation 7:30 pm • Communion and Scripture
Prelude
"Le Bon Pasteur" ("The Good Shepherd") — Dom Paul Benoit
*Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. On this night, we gather at the table. We come to remember the night of love. Jesus shared a meal with his friends, knelt to wash their feet, and gave them a new commandment: "Love one another, just as I have loved you." On this night, we take our place at the table of grace. And we seek to follow his way of love.
*Hymn
#623 “Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face”
Prayer of Confession
On this night of love, we confess how often we have failed to love. Forgive us, Lord, for hearts turned inward, hands clenched shut, and spirits unwilling to serve. Cleanse us of selfishness, wash us in your grace, and make us new in love. By your mercy, make us people of your commandment. Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance
Hear the good news: Christ, who kneels to wash our feet, lifts us by his grace. In him, we are forgiven and made new. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw our hearts and minds to God.
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Maundy Thursday
Silent Meditation
We enter in a spirit of holy reflection as this service informally begins with an extended period of silence. During this time, we reflect on the journey of Lent, on our own mortality, and on the need we all have for God's grace.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father (or Our God), 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.
The Lord's Supper
Please follow the ushers' direction and leave your pew via the center aisles. Step forward to receive the bread. Once you have received the bread, move aside to receive the juice: — by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup), or — by taking a small cup from the tray, drinking the juice, and placing the empty cup in the basket provided. Return to your pew via the side aisle. Communion elements are grape juice and gluten-free bread.
Prayer after Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, you have put your life into our hands; now we put our lives into yours. Take us, renew and remake us. What we have been is past; what we shall be, through you, still awaits us. Lead us on. Take us with you. Amen.
...Lord, heal your Church in every brokenness, and remind us of the promise of eternal life that we hear in this truth, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
...Therefore we, gladly join our voices to the song of the Church, with its prophets and apostles, the weak and the willing, the sinners and the saints, with all those who want God, With your people on earth and all the host of heaven, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
Hymn
“We Sang Our Glad Hosannas”
Scripture Luke 22:7-13 Jesus Prepares for the Passover
"Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, 'Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.' They asked him, 'Where do you want us to make preparations for it?' 'Listen,' he said to them, 'when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, "The Teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’" He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.' So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal."
Reflection
The Word and The Mandate
Scripture, Reflection, and Dimming Lights
Scripture Luke 22:14-16 Jesus' Desire to Share the Meal
"When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 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 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.'”
#632 “Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether”
Scripture John 13:3-5, 12-15 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
"Jesus, knowing that God had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet. After he had washed their feet, he said, 'Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your 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 should do as I have done to you.'”
Scripture John 13:6-9 Peter's Resistance
"He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus answered, 'You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' Peter said to him, 'You will never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.' Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!'”
#432 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love”, vv. 1, 3, 4
Scripture John 13:34-35
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Scripture Matthew 26:26-30 Jesus Blesses the Bread and Cup
"While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.'”
#628 "Eat This Bread" (sung six times)
Scripture Matthew 26:26-30 Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
"After saying this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, 'Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.' The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, 'Lord, who is it?' Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.' So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot."
Scripture Luke 22:31-34 Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
"Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.' And he said to him, 'Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!' Jesus said, 'I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day until you have denied three times that you know me.’"
Participants in the Service
Worship Leaders: Rev. Michelle Bogue-Trost, Rev. Kathy Thiel, Rev. Pat Dupont, Mike Mullin Readers: Deanna Varble, Matt Bielewicz, Bonnie Matthaidess, Frances Bryniarski, John Messenger, Miriam Derivan, Karen Hibbard, Kellie Barbato Christ Figure: Garrett Long Organist: Duane Prill Communion Stewards: Cindy Haag, Angie Burch Acolytes: David Snyder, Kathie Collier Bryant, Chris Burton, Gary Burton, Chris Haag, Cindy Haag Head Ushers: Dennis Roote, Tommy Johnson, Jr. Production Team: Larry Dugan, Rick Church Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Permissions: “Stay with Me” ©1991 Les Presses de Taize, GIA Publications, Inc.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Illustration Credits: Art and Design by David Stith
"Stay with Me" (six repetitions)
The Call to Abide in Love John 15:9-12
"As God has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Closing Prayer and Departure in Silence
When you are ready, exit silently through the doors at the back of the Sanctuary to gather in front of the church as the cross is placed. The service is complete, but we invite you to meditate on the last earthly hours of Christ and leave as you are ready.
Join us this Holy Week as we reflect on Christ’s final days through worship and community. Good Friday begins with Envisioning the Passion—a moving service of art and choral music—tomorrow at noon. From 5–7 pm, Friday, drop in for a family-friendly evening of reflection and fun. On Easter Sunday, we’ll gather for a Sunrise Service at 8 am in the Community Garden (1010 East Ave), followed by traditional services in the Sanctuary at 9 and 11 am. All are welcome as we walk through this sacred season together.
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Love God and Neighbor. Live Fully. Serve All. Repeat.
To see a complete list of Holy Week offerings, visit asburyfirst.org/holy-week