St. John s Ev. Lutheran Church & School Pastor Tim Kuske Deacon Andrew Tramp Church Office School Office

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1 St. John s Ev. Lutheran Church & School Pastor Tim Kuske Deacon Andrew Tramp Church Office School Office

2 Maundy Thursday April 18, 2019 Maundy Thursday (from the Latin word mandatum, command, John 13:34) recalls Christ's institution of Holy Communion (The Lord's Supper, the Eucharist) at the Last Supper on the night in which he was betrayed. After the Passover meal, Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood together with the bread and wine. Each time we celebrate this Sacrament we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Co. 11:26). PART VIII. Salvation Through the Means of Grace XXXVI. The Sacrament of the Altar 16. The Lord's Supper is a means of grace. Because of the words, This is my body, this is my blood, We receive the true body and blood of Christ under the bread and the wine. From the words given and shed for you for the remission of sins, we learn that also spiritual blessings are offered in the Sacrament, namely, that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words," as we confess with Luther in the explanation of the Sixth Chief Part. Without these words, we should still have to eat and drink His body and blood under the bread and wine; but this would then be only an act of obedience. The words of promise, however, make this Sacrament an actual means of grace assuring and sealing to us forgiveness of sins. Hence these words are of chief importance, since in them lies the power to convey spiritual blessings. This is the new testament (covenant) in My blood (Luke 22: 20). This is My blood of the new testament (Matt. 26:28). The Old Testament, or covenant, was of the Law; it required perfect obedience, imputed sin, and pronounced the curse on all transgressors; hence it was called "the ministration of condemnation" (2 Cor. 3:9). Also, this first testament, mediated by Moses, was dedicated with blood (Heb. 9:18-20). But Jeremiah spoke of a new Covenant, which consists in this that God will forgive iniquity (Jer. 31:31-34). This new covenant is referred to in Rom. 11:27 and in Hebr. 8:6-13. The Mediator of this new covenant is Christ, and by His blood was this new testament established (Hebr. 9:12-28). When, therefore, Christ gives us the cup, which "is the new testament in his blood," He thereby confirms on us the new covenant of grace which consists in the forgiveness of sins. 2

3 Maundy Thursday April 18, 2019 HYMN 1. Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared This feast for our salvation; It is your body and your blood, And at your invitation As weary souls, with sin oppressed, We come to you for needed rest, For comfort, and for pardon. Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared Christian Worship, 312 v Although you did to heav n ascend, Where angel hosts are dwelling, And in your presence, they behold Your glory, all excelling, And though your people shall not see Your glory and your majesty Till dawns the judgment morning, 3. Yet, Savior, you are not confined To any habitation, But you are present ev rywhere And with your congregation. Firm as a rock this truth shall stand, Unmoved by any daring hand Or subtle craft and cunning. 4. We eat this bread and drink this cup, Your precious Word believing That your true body and your blood Our lips are here receiving. This Word remains forever true, And there is naught you cannot do, For you, Lord, are almighty. 3

4 SERMON Matthew 26:26-28 Three Words of Truth: Take and Eat Take and Drink While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. REMAIN SEATED INSTRUCTION FOR THE END OF LENT M: In this Lenten season we have heard again how our Lord walked the path of suffering which led him to the cross for our salvation. We have also heard our Lord s call to intensify our struggle against sin, death, and the devil all that keeps us from loving God and one another. This is the struggle to which we were committed at Baptism; God s forgiveness and the power of his Spirit to amend our lives continue with us because of his love for us in Jesus our Savior. Within the family of the Church, God never wearies of giving peace and new life. In the absolution, we receive forgiveness as from God himself. This absolution we should not doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thus forgiven before God in heaven, for it comes to us in the name and by the command of our Lord. We who receive God s love in Jesus Christ are called to love one another, to be servants to each other, as Jesus became our servant. In Holy Communion the members of Christ s body participate most intimately in his love. Remembering our Lord s Last Supper with his disciples, we eat the bread and drink the cup of this meal. Together we receive the Lord s gift of his body and blood for forgiveness and participate in that new covenant that makes us one with him and one another. The Lord s Supper is the promise of the great banquet we will share with all the faithful when our Lord returns, the joyous culmination of our reconciliation with God and each other. 4

5 CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION M: Let us confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness. C: Almighty God, merciful Father, I confess to you that I have not loved you with all my heart. In what I have done and left undone, I have pursued my ways instead of your ways. I have not loved my brothers and sisters as myself. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. I am truly sorry for my sins. I repent of them. I beg for your mercy, O Lord. SILENCE FOR MEDITATION M: Forgive us for the sake of Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us. C: Cleanse me from my sins. Release me from my guilt. Grant me your Holy Spirit to amend my sinful life. M: The almighty God has been merciful to us and has sent his Son to die for all. For his sake, God forgives our sins and calls us from darkness to his marvelous light. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. EXHORTATION M: Our Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us and reconciled us to God and has promised us the power to forgive and love each other. Relying on his promise, therefore, be reconciled with one another. All: Brothers and sisters, may the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, in our words, and in our actions. PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of Holy Communion you give us your true body and blood as a remembrance of your suffering and death on the cross. Grant us so firmly to believe your words and promise that we may always partake of this Sacrament to our eternal good, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. 5

6 BE SEATED HYMN 1. Though reason cannot understand, Yet faith this truth embraces: Your body, Lord, is ev rywhere At once in many places. I leave to you how this can be; Your Word alone suffices me; I trust its truth unfailing. Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared Christian Worship, 312 v Lord, I believe what you have said; Help me when doubts assail me. Remember that I am but dust, And let my faith not fail me. Your supper in this vale of tears Refreshes me and stills my fears And is my priceless treasure. 3. Grant that we worthily receive Your supper, Lord, our Savior, And, truly grieving for our sins, May prove by our behavior That we are thankful for your grace And day by day may run our race, In holiness increasing. 4. For your consoling supper, Lord, Be praised throughout all ages! Preserve it, for in ev ry place The world against it rages. Grant that this sacrament may be A blessed comfort unto me When living and when dying. Text: Samuel Kinner, ; tr. Emanuel Cronenwett, , alt. 6

7 FIRST LESSON Jeremiah 31: The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. 33 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, Know the LORD, because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. 7

8 PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 116 Christian Worship, page 107 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;* he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me,* I will call on him as long as I live. The LORD is gracious and righteous;* when I was in great need, he saved me. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,* my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. How can I repay the LORD* for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation* and call on the name of the LORD. Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen. Tune: Richard Proulx GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago, IL, All rights reserved. Used by permission. 8

9 PSALM PRAYER M: Father, when your Son hung on the cross, he cried out to you in agony and grief. You gave him the strength to endure so that death might be destroyed and life restored. Have mercy on us all our days and preserve us in true faith unto life everlasting; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. SILENCE FOR MEDITATION SECOND LESSON Hebrews 10: The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. 17 Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 9

10 VERSE OF THE DAY (3:30 Service) M: As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. O Bread of Life Senior Choir (6:30 Service) Latin Hymn, Heinrich Isaac, Arr. F.M. Christiansen STAND GOSPEL Luke 22: 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 with my disciples? 12 He will show you a large upper room, 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 of 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. BE SEATED 10

11 HYMN When You Woke that Thursday Morning Christian Worship: Supplement, When you woke that Thursday morning, Savior, Teacher, faithful Friend, Thoughts of self and safety scorning, knowing how the day would end; Lamb of God, foretold for ages, now at last the hour had come When but One could pay sin s wages: you assumed their dreadful sum. 2. Never so alone and lonely, longing with tormented heart To be with your dear ones only for a quiet hour apart; Sinless Lamb and fallen creatures, one last paschal meal to eat, One last lesson as their teacher, washing your disciples feet. 3. What was there that you could give them that would never be outspent, What great gift that would outlive them, what last will and testament? Show me and the world you love me, know me as the Lamb of God; Do this in remembrance of me, eat this body, drink this blood. 4. One in faith, in love united, all one body, you the head, When we meet, by you invited, you are with us, as you said. One with you and one another in a unity sublime, See in us your sister, brother, one in ev ry place and time. 5. One day all the Church will capture that bright vision glorious, And your saints will know the rapture that your heart desired for us, When the longed-for peace and union of the greatest and the least Meet in joyous, blest communion in your never-ending feast. The hymn writer Jaroslav Vajda vividly recounts the events of Maundy Thursday as they may have looked from the perspective of our Savior. Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. OFFERING 11

12 THE GREAT LITANY PRAYER OF APPROACH TO GOD M: O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, C: Have mercy on us. M: O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, C: Have mercy on us. M: O God the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide, C: Have mercy on us. M: Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, C: Have mercy on us. PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE M: Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses nor the offenses of our forebears. Spare us, good Lord; spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your precious blood. C: Spare us, good Lord. M: From all spiritual blindness; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all lack of charity, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: From all deadly sin and from the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart and contempt for your Word and your will, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: From earthquake and tempest; from drought, fire, and flood; from civil strife and violence; from war and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared, C: Good Lord, deliver us. 12

13 PRAYER RECALLING CHRIST S SAVING WORK M: By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your baptism, fasting, and temptation; and by your proclamation of the kingdom, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: By your bloody sweat and bitter grief, by your cross and suffering, and by your precious death and burial, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: By your mighty resurrection, by your glorious ascension, and by the coming of the Holy Spirit, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: In our times of trouble, in our times of prosperity, in the hour of death, and on the day of judgment, C: Good Lord, deliver us. M: Receive our prayers, O Lord our God. C: Hear us, good Lord. PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH M: Govern and direct your holy Church, fill it with love and truth, and grant it that unity which is according to your will. C: Hear us, good Lord. M: Enlighten all ministers with true knowledge and understanding of your Word, that by their preaching and living they may declare it clearly and show its truth. C: Hear us, good Lord. M: Encourage and prosper your servants who spread the gospel in all the world, and send out laborers into the harvest. C: Hear us, good Lord. M: Bless and keep your people, that all may find and follow their true vocation and ministry. C: Hear us, good Lord. 13

14 M: Give us hearts to love and revere you, that we may diligently live according to your commandments. C: Hear us, good Lord. M: To all your people, give grace to hear and receive your Word and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. C: Hear us, good Lord. M: Strengthen those who stand firm in the faith, encourage the fainthearted, raise up those who fall, and finally give us the victory. C: Hear us, good Lord. CONCLUDING PRAYER M: Son of God, we ask you to hear us. C: Son of God, we ask you to hear us. M: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; C: Have mercy on us. M: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; C: Have mercy on us. M: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; C: Grant us peace. M: Lord, have mercy on us. C: Christ, have mercy on us. M: Lord, have mercy on us. M: 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 beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his name, you will be with 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 ages to come, life everlasting. C: Amen. 14

15 THE SACRAMENT The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper follows Christian Worship: Supplement, page 33. The Bible teaches that communing together signifies a oneness in faith, life, and worship. Reception of the Lord s Supper by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness that does not exist. Therefore, we kindly ask that if you are not a member of St. John s or a sister WELS or ELS congregation, that you do not commune with us today. If you have questions, please speak with the pastor and he will be happy to answer them. M: The Lord be with you. C: And also, with you. M: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them up to the Lord. M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is good and right so to do. M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who willingly died under the curse of this world s sin so that we may live forever in the light of God's blessing. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Sanctus (Tune of Christian Worship, 105) 1. O holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow r and might, Your glory, earth and heaven In countless ways recite. Hosanna! Come and save us, Lord God of hosts on high, And in your grace and mercy Receive our fervent cry. 2. Hosanna in the highest! How truly blest is he Who in God s name is coming To set his people free! He comes to bring salvation And with his blood outpoured, Deliver us from bondage Hosanna, mighty Lord! 15

16 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING M: Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, and we remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed us from sin, death, and the devil s power. By his incarnation, he became one with us. By his perfect life, he fulfilled your holy will. By his innocent death, he overcame hell. By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven. Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ s body and blood, and preserve us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory everlasting. C: Amen. LORD S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. WORDS OF INSTITUTION M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen. 16

17 LAMB OF GOD Agnus Dei A Personal Prayer Before Communion Lord, I am not worthy to be a guest at your holy table. But you are the friend of sinners, and you will not cast me out. This bread is your body, which bore my sins upon the tree. This wine is your blood, which purifies me from guilt. At your invitation, I come, rejoicing. Receive me, my Savior. AMEN 17

18 HYMN I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table Christian Worship, I come, O Savior, to your table, For weak and weary is my soul; O Jesus, you alone are able To satisfy and make me whole. Lord, may your body and your blood Be for my soul the highest good! 2. Oh, grant that I in manner worthy May now trust solely in your Word, And, conscious of the sins before me, Look only unto you, O Lord. 3. Unworthy though I am, O Savior, Because I have a sinful heart, Yet you your lamb will banish never, Nor will your faithfulness depart. 4. Oh, let me loathe all sin forever As death and poison to my soul, That I through willful sinning never May see your judgment take its toll! 5. Your heart is filled with fervent yearning That sinners may salvation see Who, Lord, to you in faith are turning; So let me, too, come trustingly Weary am I and heavy laden; With sin my soul is sore oppressed. Receive me graciously and gladden My heart, for I am now your guest. 7. You here will find a heart most lowly That feels unworthy in your sight, That duly weeps o er sin, yet solely Your merit pleads, as it is right. 8. By faith I call your holy table The testament of your deep love, For by your gift I now am able To know the heart of God above. 9. What higher gift can we inherit? It is faith s bond and solid base; It is the strength of heart and spirit, The covenant of hope and grace. 10. This feast is manna, wealth abounding Unto the poor, to weak ones pow r, To angels joy, to hell confounding, And life for me in death s dark hour. 11. Your body, giv n for me, O Savior, Your blood, which you for me have shed These are my life and strength forever; By them my hungry soul is fed.

19 12. With you, Lord, I am now united; I live in you and you in me. No sorrow fills my soul; delighted, It finds its peace on Calvary. 13. Who can condemn me now? For surely The Lord is near, who justifies. No hell I fear, and thus securely With Jesus I to heaven rise. 14. Though death may threaten with disaster, It cannot rob me of my cheer, For he who is of death the master With help and strength is always near. 15. My heart has now become your dwelling, O blessed, holy Trinity. With angels I, your praises telling, Shall live in joy eternally. Text: Friedrich C. Heyder, , abr.; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis, 1941, alt. SONG OF SIMEON Nunc Dimittis M: We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to live as your holy people until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. 19

20 EVENING PRAYER M: God our Father, by your mercy and might, the world turns safely into darkness and returns again to light. We place into your hands our unfinished tasks, our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes, knowing that only what you bless will prosper. To your great love and protection, we commit each other and all those we love, knowing that you alone are our sure defender; through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. BLESSING M: The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. C: Amen. STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR Psalm 88 (Sung by Pastor) The congregation may remain for prayer and meditation before dispersing quietly Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Divine Service II 2008 Northwestern Publishing House All text and music in this service folder is reprinted and reported under OneLicense.net # A and CCLI # Graphics used by permission 1994, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, art by Steve Erspamer, SM Pastor: Rev. Tim P. Kuske Organist: Rachel Kuske Don't Miss Our Other Holy Week Services! Good Friday Tenebrae Worship Services: Tomorrow afternoon at 1 pm, the school children will participate in a Good Friday Worship service. In the evening, we will also hold a service at 6:30 pm. Easter Morning: We will hold two services, an Easter Dawn Service at 6:30 am with Holy Communion, and a Festival Service at 9:00 am. We will serve Easter breakfast between services from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Come and join us as we celebrate our risen Savior and the joy of life eternal in Christ! 20