The Paschal Triduum: The Solemn Liturgy For Maundy Thursday With The Divestiture Of The Altar

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1 104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina Office Phone: Web Site: Growing in Christ Through Worship, Learning, Fellowship, and Service March 29, :00 p.m. in the Nave The Paschal Triduum: The Solemn Liturgy For Maundy Thursday With The Divestiture Of The Altar The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... Tonight s Eucharist on the eve of Good Friday begins the Sacred Triduum or Three Sacred Days of our redemption. This is a celebration: a celebration of our Lord s institution of the sacrament of his Body and Blood but it is pervaded by the shadow of the Cross. Jesus gathered with his disciples in the context of the greatest of all events in Israel s redemption: the Exodus and Passover. Yet the normal joy of such an evening was muted by betrayal, failure of his friends to understand what he was doing, and his own fear of what was to come. It was a farewell dinner in which Jesus, by washing his disciples feet, sought to illustrate one final time the character of love and ministry which is central in the life to which he calls us: self-giving love to the point of dying for one s friends. Maundy is an English form of the Latin word commandment. The overreaching theme of the day is Jesus new commandment to love one another even as I have loved you, a love sharply focused by the contrast of the betrayal which followed. Jesus love is demonstrated both in his example of servanthood and in his gifts of himself in Holy Communion. We hear the ancient instructions for celebrating the Passover; Paul s account of the institution of the Eucharist; and John s account of the moment when Jesus washed his disciples feet. Stripping the altar is symbolic of Jesus humiliation at the soldiers hands. Psalm 22 rehearses this and other themes of the Passion. The omission of benedictions at the end of the liturgies of both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday indicated their continuity with each other and awaiting Easter s blessing of joy. After Holy Communion tonight, the liturgy will not end. It continues tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday when it comes to its conclusion with the great celebration of the Festival Eucharist of the Resurrection of our Lord. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 1 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

2 The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. Out of respect for the liturgy we are about to celebrate and those sitting around you, please silence all cell phones and electronic devices. THE OPENING VOLUNTARY SCHMÜCKE DICH, O LIEBE SEELE, BWV 654 Johann Sebastian Bach ( ) Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness The stand The people stand as the Crucifer, Choirs, and Clergy enter. THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION THE OPENING ACCLAMATION Blessed be the God of our salvation, Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins, Who creates us in love, And redeems us in mercy. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 2 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

3 The kneel or sit as able THE LENTEN DISCIPLINE In this Lenten season we have heard our Lord's call to intensify our struggle against sin, death, and the devil all that keeps us from loving God and each other. This is the struggle to which we have committed ourselves as baptized Christians; God's forgiveness and the power of his Spirit to change our lives continues with us because of his love for us in Jesus, our Savior. God never tires of giving peace and new life. In the words of absolution we receive forgiveness from God, and we trust in God s promise to forgive us. 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.it is in the Holy Communion that we, 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 share the cup of this meal. Together we receive the Lord's gift of himself and participate in that new covenant which makes us one in him. The Eucharist is the promise of the great banquet we will share with all the faithful when our Lord returns, the culmination of our reconciliation with God and each other. THE RECONCILIATION OF PENITENTS AND ENTRANCE INTO THE PASCHAL HOLY DAYS Tonight we begin the Great Three Days of our Lord s passion, death, and resurrection the journey from the supper table to the cross, from the cross to Easter dawn. We are followers in his way, exploring his truth, encountering his life. This is the night when Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would betray him. This is the night when Christ gathered with his disciples in the upper room. This is the night when Christ our Lord gave us this holy feast, that as we break the bread and drink the cup we may here proclaim his holy sacrifice, and come at the last to his table in heaven. This is the night when Christ took a towel and washed the disciples feet, showing us how to honor and serve one another in love. This is the night for watching and prayer. We give ourselves freely to the demands of these great days, confident that those who die in Christ will surely live with him. THE CONFESSION OF SIN AND ABSOLUTION On this night let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another. Silence is held for reflection and self-examination Have mercy on us, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out our offences. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Against you only have we sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Cleanse us from our sin. Wash us and we shall be clean. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son and strengthen us to love in the power of the Spirit. Amen. THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. 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 had loved them. By your Holy Spirit write this commandment on our hearts; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 3 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

4 The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The people sit THE FIRST READING Exodus 12:1-4, Israel celebrated its deliverance from slavery in Egypt by keeping the festival of Passover. This festival included the slaughter, preparation, and consumption of the Passover lamb, whose blood was used to protect God's people from the threat of death. The early church described the Lord's Supper using imagery from the Passover, especially in portraying Jesus as the lamb who delivers God's people from sin and death. Lector A reading from Exodus, the twelfth chapter. he 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. 3Tell 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. 14This 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. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The people sit THE SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 In all of Paul's letters, the only story from the life of Jesus that he recounts in detail is this report of the last supper. His words to the Christians at Corinth are reflected today in the liturgies of churches throughout the world. Lector A reading from First Corinthians, the eleventh chapter. or 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. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 4 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

5 The stand THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 5 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

6 THE HOLY GOSPEL John 13:1-17, 31b-35 The story of the Last Supper in John's gospel presents a remarkable event not mentioned elsewhere. Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for each other. Gospeller The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the thirteenth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. ow 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. 5Then 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. 6He 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." 8Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean." 12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 31b "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If 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.' 34I 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." Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The sit THE SERMON The Reverend Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor The stand THE APOSTLES CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 6 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

7 The kneel or sit as able THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE With this new commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us, let us pray for the needs of the world, the church, and all creation so beloved of God. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor The stand Source of all love, as your beloved Son Jesus has given the whole world an example of how to love one another, so now let this love be made known in word and deed to the uttermost ends of the earth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Source of all mercy, as your church enters into these holy days marking the mysteries of our salvation, make them for us a time of renewed faith and deepened love for one another and for all you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Source of all life, as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humble service, so let us serve the needs of future generations through our care for your creation. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Source of all compassion, as many this night have no bread to eat nor a place to call home, so grant us your vision to see Christ in all persons, and give us the will to serve all in any need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Source of all goodness, as you have called us into the community where your word is faithfully preached and your sacraments freely celebrated, draw us closer to your heart as we learn to serve. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Source of all holiness, as your word reminds us that the death of your faithful ones is precious in your sight, we give thanks for all our beloved who are now at rest in you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. We offer you these prayers, O God, in the shadow of the cross, in the hope of the paschal feast to come, and in the name of Jesus Christ who endured the cross and grave. Amen. THE PEACE Christ has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his name and share his peace. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 7 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

8 The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. The pew envelopes marked Special Offering are intended for use in designating offerings beyond regular contributions. Please be sure to write on the envelope to what fund or organization this offering is intended. THE MOTET The Parish Choir God fashioned love and gave it as a gift for each to share and give again, that through all generations love might sift as wheat from chaff to make an increase of the best, that time and wind might have the rest. God fashioned love and gave from heaven s store for each to share and give again, that through all generations love might pour as wine from water by a miracle can pass, that every hand may take the glass. God fashioned love and gave it mankind s cast for each to share and give again, that through all generations love might last as Christ is born in every child God gives, so love, though yet all die, shall live. Words: Linda Muehlig Music: Carol Muehlig The stand AT THE PRESENTATION, THE OFFERTORY HYMN THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 8 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

9 THE COLLECT AT THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR Let us pray. God our Redeemer, receive all we bring to you this day these gifts and the offerings of our lives. Refresh us with this holy food and drink that we may reach the promised land, the Easter feast of victory in Christ our Lord. Amen. THE SURSUM CORDA 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 God thanks and praise. THE PREFACE OF THE DAY It is indeed right to give you thanks, holy Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For on this night he girded himself with a towel and, taking the form of a servant, washed the feet of his disciples. He gave us a new commandment that we should love one another as he has loved us. Knowing that his hour had come, in his great love he gave this supper to his disciples to be a memorial of his passion, that we might proclaim his death until he comes again, and feast with him in his kingdom. Therefore earth unites with heaven to sing a new song of praise; we too join with angels and archangels as they proclaim your glory without end: THE SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish, but have eternal life. We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ. Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 9 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

10 THE ANTHEM: THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION The Parish Choir On the night he was betrayed, Christ took bread and, when he gave thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance, in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper Christ took the cup, the new covenant in his blood, he poured it and said, This is my blood, poured out for you. Do this in remembrance, in remembrance of me. Words: 1 Corinthians 11:23b-25, alt. Music: Larry Visser (b.1962) The sit THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, 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 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 and ever. Amen. THE INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION This is the table, not of the church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who want to love him more. So come, you who have much faith, and you who have little; you who have been here often, and you who have not been here long; you who have tried to follow, and you who have failed. Come because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who want him should meet him here. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. Thanks be to God! THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE AGNUS DEI THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 10 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

11 THE HYMN AT THE COMMUNION PANGE LINGUA After all have communed then follows, THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 11 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

12 The stand The kneel or sit as able THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, you have called us here on earth to the table of your Son Jesus Christ and filled us with his life-giving presence and love: make us worthy, we pray, to feast with him both now and in eternity, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. THE DIVESTITURE OF THE ALTAR The congregation kneels as the linens, paraments, ornaments, and candles are removed from the altar and chancel. The Parish Choir sings the following Lamentation during the divestiture. THE ANTHEM AT THE DIVESTITURE The Parish Choir You have abandoned me and broken my heart, and I am full of woe. I look about for someone who will be merciful, but there is no one. No one will console me, no one will comfort my pain. But you give me vinegar to drink, and when I was hungry you fed me the bitterest gall. You have abandoned me and broken my heart, and I am full of woe. Words: traditional Palm Sunday Offertory; English translation by Imogen Howe Music: Mc Neil Robinson THE DEPARTURE There is no benediction. The leave the church in profound silence Arms outstretched, afflicted unto death, you shed your blood on the cross. We have forgotten, sweet Jesus, how you love us. Driven onward by madness and forked tongues, in breathless, uncontrolled, and headlong flight, we have fallen into sin like a bottomless pit. It is here to be found, the unsullied table, the source of charitability, the feast of the poor, the well of holy sympathy which is to us the very bread of life and love. We have forgotten, sweet Jesus, how you love us. Olivier Messiaen THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 12 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

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16 W ith nightfall our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to begin the Three Days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus' passing over from death to life. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus' commandment to love one another. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to follow his example as we humbly care for one another, especially the poor and the unloved. At the Lord's table we remember Jesus' sacrifice of his life, even as we are called to offer ourselves in love for the life of the world. THE SOLEMN LITURGY FOR FOR MAUNDY MAUNDY THURSDAY THURSDAY Page 16 SAINT SAINT JAMES JAMES CHURCH, ELCA