First Church, Congregational Sanctuary * April 13, 2017 * 7 O clock Maundy Thursday

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2 First Church, Congregational Sanctuary * April 13, 2017 * 7 O clock Maundy Thursday WELCOME PRELUDE Variations on a Hymn for Lent arr. D. Wood Ginny Roedig, Organist *CALL TO WORSHIP One: The Israelites cried out to God in their oppression. Many: Their voices still echo around the globe: in India, Sudan, Mexico, and in American cities. One: God hears the cries of the suffering, and delivers those who wait on God. Many: All who suffer, who die, who are alienated are precious to God; let us love the Lord who restores liberty, and gives us hope for peace. One: Today we remember the One who gave himself for us, Jesus the Christ. Many: Let us worship God! *HYMN NO Lift High the Cross verses 1,3,5 HENDON IN SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER REMEMBERING THE FOOTWASHING AND THE MANDATUM NOVUM (NEW COMMANDMENT): John 13:1-17, Tim Frost As we read, imagine yourself in this upper room with Jesus and his friends. With whom do you identify? How do you feel? Peter resists Jesus service of footwashing. Would you? Are you surprised that Jesus included Judas in the footwashing? What would it take to offer a service of love to someone who hurt or betrayed you? What manner of love does Jesus model and command of us? RITUAL OF HAND WASHING: As a sign of living with the servant Jesus, we will now serve others in washing each other s hands. You will receive the hand washing from the person in front of you, and will offer it to the person behind you. You are then invited to return to your pew in reflection. ORIGIN OF THE PASSOVER: EXODUS 12:1-14 SUE BOSSLEY As we read, imagine yourself and your family in this text, among the Israelites who were

3 enslaved and desperate. What thoughts might go through your mind as you follow these instructions and prepare this meal? Who would you explain to children why you are eating hurriedly? Are you excited? Fearful? What images of oppression and liberation come to mind? Where do you experience the need for freedom in your life? In your community? In our world? What is the cost of freedom? PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE (UNISON) Giver of Life, from time immemorial you call us to yourself. In ways too numerous to mention, we fail to respond. Forgive us, we pray. Our limited understanding of culture gets in the way of fellowship with those different from ourselves. Our limited vision of community gets in the way of your call to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to seek justice and peace for all. Replace our arrogance, Merciful One, with the humility and caring service Jesus modeled, for truly we are not greater than our Teacher and Savior. Amen. REMEMBERING THE LAST SUPPER Matthew 26:17-30 Helen Cooper PRAYER OF CONSECRATION Leader: Send now your Holy Spirit upon this bread and this cup, O God, that they might be our remembrance and our proclamation of the presence of Christ with us, through us, and in us. All: Amen. Leader: The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all things are ready. Communion will now be distributed. You are invited to take some bread, and after everyone has been served, we will be invited to partake together, and the same will be with the cup. Prayer of Thanksgiving Lord Jesus, as we remember your acts of service and the meal you shared with your disciples, we ask that through this Supper, we too might be given the newness of life, as we transition from a time of celebration and sharing, then to the darkness, and finally, into the light again. Amen. *HYMN NO Go to Dark Gethsemane REDHEAD CHOIR ANTHEM GATHER AT THE MERCY TREE SUSAN AND LEE DENGLER MEDITATION OFFERING OFFERTORY Ah, Holy Jesus arr. A. Fedak

4 *DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessing flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. *PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON) Lord you are the great teacher! You led by example. We study your actions, like the washing of feet, 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. *THE STRIPPING OF THE SANCTUARY *HYMN 218- Were you There verse 1 *JESUS ARREST: JOHN 18:1-12 ` *THE PROMISE: JOHN 14:15-17 Jacob Cooper Clara Nichols GOING FORTH There is no Benediction because the events of this night do not conclude until Easter morning resurrection. Keep the faith in vigil through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Please depart in silence Service Opportunities: Receive the invitation to be more hands on in your ministry today the different ministries of the church need you! Invite someone new to experience the good news with us tell them how important First Church is in your life and how God can bring them peace and love! Don t forget about joining a class or a small group or two if you haven t already they are great opportunities to grow your faith and share in fellowship with one another. Join us for all of our worship opportunities this week! The Easter bunny needs some help, please donate some bagged candy if you are able!

5 Properties is selling Memorial bricks. These bricks will be placed in the new Sanctuary step walls when they are built. There are only about 90 bricks available and it is on a first come first serve basis. So if you would like to dedicate a brick to your family or passed loved one, please see Barry Dean after service for an order form. All payments are due when your order is placed, each brick cost $125 and is engraved with your personalized message. Please use the & sign instead of the word and, for example In memory of Mary & Joe Smith. Don t wait as these bricks will sell out fast. All proceeds will go to offset the cost of the new steps. Thank you, you wonderful people! We are overwhelmed at the generous response to Syrup Sunday. You are such a Giving congregation! Freshly prepared maple syrup was available to members of the First Church, Congregational family or anyone who attended service on Sunday, April 2. In exchange for a pint of tasty syrup, recipients were asked to donate to the First Church Building Fund. Jerry passed out a total of 68 jars of Syrup which in turn generated a total donation to the building fund of $2, and $130 was made off of our ladies craft sale for a total of $2, Thank you for this great response. Jerry and Shelby Brumbaugh. Thank you Jerry and Shelby Brumbaugh for this great fundraising event and thank you to all the ladies for making those beautiful crafts. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this fundraiser and I hope everyone enjoys their syrup. We also still have 3 jars available in the office if anyone still wants to donate. All of the unsold crafts will be put out for sale at our Women s Salad Luncheon.

6 Sunday April 16th Easter Sunday 10am Easter Egg Hunt Friday April 21st Spring Salad Luncheon 11am-1pm Saturday April 22nd 7:30 pm Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday April 29th 11am cub scout Rain gutter Regatta Tuesday May 2nd Voting Friday May 5th Life Line Screening 9-5pm Sunday May 7th Mother Child Dinner 4pm Budgeted Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations January-December 2017 Contributions for 2017 Actual Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations January- December 2017 Under/Over Budget Pledges/ Contributions/ Loose Plate/ Donations as of February 2017 $48,250 $40,139 -$8,111

7 OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE April 2-8, 2017 SUNDAY Contemporary (Chapel) 9am Child Care (Nursery CE Building) 9-12 am Choir (Sanctuary) 9:15 am Bells (Bell Room) 10am Sunday School (CE Building) 10am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 11 am Fellowship Hour (Social Room) 12pm MONDAY Affirming Life (Chapel Lobby) 10:30 am Yoga (Davis Room) 3:30 pm Boy scouts (Social Room) 7 pm AA (North Room) 8 pm TUESDAY Yoga (Davis Room) 5:45 pm Cub Scouts (CE Building) 6pm Painesville Women s Choir (Sanctuary) 7 pm WEDNESDAY Lenten Study (Social Room) 7pm Youth Group (youth room) 6 pm THURSDAY Turbo (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 6 pm Pearl Street AA (Social Room) 6 pm FRIDAY Recovery (North Room) 8 pm SATURDAY PIYO (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 8:30 am Kettle Ball (Exercise Class) (Davis Room) 10 am The office will be closed Good Friday April 14th FIRST CHURCH, CONGREGATIONAL * Rev. Tom Cofer, Pastor * tom@firstchurchcongregational.org Website: