WELCOME Welcome to Christ Church for the worship that begins the great three days, or the Triduum. Since the fourth century, with great devotion the church has honored the story of the night before Christ died, for it was then that he changed the meaning of the meal shared by God s covenant people. In taking, blessing, breaking the bread, and giving it to his disciples as his body, all share in his suffering death and God s raising power for forgiveness and life eternal. That night Jesus also gave a mandate, a mandatum, for which this day is named. He commanded his disciples to love one another as he loves us. To demonstrate this new commandment, Jesus washed feet as a household slave would do. In our worship this night, we share that ritual of humility as well as the meal that gives us life. You are invited to participate in the foot washing, removing your footwear before you come forward. First be washed by one of the clergy or another disciple; then you may kneel to wash another s feet or return to your seat. After the sharing of communion, the service continues with the stripping of the altar, preparing for the stark reality of Gethsemane, Jesus arrest, and the cross of Good Friday, on which hung the Savior of the world. Once the sanctuary is bare, we follow in procession with the consecrated sacrament to the Chapel for a time of veneration. All night through, we keep watch with Christ in prayer. Thank you for being present this evening; join us again for worship on Good Friday and on Easter morning. You are welcome here. Service Music from New Plainsong, David Hurd (b. 1951) At the sounding of the tower bell, please stand, as able, and sing The Entrance Hymn 316 This is the Hour of Banquet and of Song (blue) Hymnal 1982 The Opening Acclamation Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. All sing Holy God
THE WORD OF GOD Collect for Maundy Thursday Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Please be seated for The First Reading Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. This 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. At the conclusion the People respond, Thanks be to God. Psalm 116:1, 10-17 Dilexi, quoniam Sung by the Cantor, then repeated by all at the sound of the bells: Chant: Plainsong I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds. I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. The Second Reading 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 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, 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. 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. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. At the conclusion the People respond, Thanks be to God. The Gradual Hymn Three Holy Days Enfold Us Now from Wonder, Love, and Praise Words: Delores Dufner, OSB (b. 1939) Music: Grace Church, Carl Haywood (b. 1949), from Tunes for Grace The Gospel is carried to the congregation so that we remember it is our Good News to hear and to share. The Gospel Reading John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now 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. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father 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 and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 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! Jesus 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. For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, Not all of you are clean. After 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? 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 also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 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. 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. Priest The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Once the Book of Gospels has returned to its place of honor, the People may be seated at the invitation of the preacher. The Homily Ruth Beresford The Foot Washing There are two stations for the ritual. If you would like to participate, approach a station in silence with footwear removed and have your feet washed. Then if you desire, take your turn to kneel and serve another. When you are done, return to your seat for quiet contemplation. All are welcome. Anthems at the Foot Washing Jesu, Jesu Refrain: Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you. Ghanaian folk song Kneels at the feet of his friends, silently washes their feet, Master who acts as a slave to them. Refrain Neighbors are rich and poor, neighbors are black and white, neighbors are nearby and far away. Refrain These are the ones we should serve, these are the ones we should love. All are neighbors to us and you. Refrain Loving puts us on our knees, serving as though we were slaves; this is the way we should live with you.
Ubi caritas Please join in singing the following refrain: Translation: Where true charity and love abide, God is there. Words: Latin, 8th c., tr. Malcolm Naea Chun (b. 1954) Music: Jacques Berthier (1923-1994) The Prayers of the People As God s people, called to love one another, let us pray for the needs of the church, the whole human family, and all the world. [silence] That churches of all traditions may discover their unity in Christ and exercise their gifts in service for all, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer. That the earth may be freed from war, famine, and disease, make us good stewards of the whole creation, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer. That you will comfort and empower those who face any difficulty or trial: the sick, the poor, the oppressed, those who grieve, and those who have denied you, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer.
That you will embrace and hold fast all the faithful departed, and welcome them at the banquet prepared from before the foundations of the world, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer. That our hearts may truly receive the blessing of your grace, forgive us all our sins, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer. That our lives may be outward and visible signs of your grace at work within us, fill us with your love and show us how to serve, we pray to you, O God: Hear our prayer. Celebrant The Peace Celebrant People Merciful God, as a potter fashions a vessel from humble clay, you form us into a new creation. + Shape us, day by day, through the cross of Christ your Son. In his name we pray. Amen. The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. THE HOLY COMMUNION Being seated, we begin with a time of offering, giving money as a sign that our life serves God s purposes and showing our gratitude for God s many blessings. For those who give online or will text a contribution to (302) 244-5368, a card is available in the narthex to participate in the act of offering. Newcomers and guests may place the welcome card in the offering plate. Anthem arr. Barry Rose (b. 1934) Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travelers on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ light for you, in the nighttime of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I ll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow till we ve seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we ve known together of Christ s love and agony. Brother, sister, let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you. Pray that I may have the grace to let me be your servant, too. Amen, amen. The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give God thanks and praise. from Common Worship (Church of England) The Celebrant continues the prayer, inviting our praise in the ancient song of the Sanctus. You send your Spirit to bring new life to the world, and clothe us with power from on high. And so we join the angels to celebrate and say:
The Celebrant continues the prayer, inviting our acclamation of Christ s sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, saying Great is the mystery of faith: Celebrant and People Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The Celebrant continues the prayer, concluding For honor and praise belong to you, Father, with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit: one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Celebrant invites the People to say the prayer Jesus taught his first disciples. 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 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, for ever and ever. Amen. The Breaking of the Bread We sing the anthem at the breaking of the bread, which is Christ s Body, broken for us. Please be seated after the sacrament is presented. All are welcome to receive the sacrament of Christ, kneeling or standing, either consuming the bread and drinking from the cup or dipping (intincting) the bread carefully into the cup. Gluten-free host are available; let the clergy know your need when they approach you at the rail. If you are unable to come forward, ask an usher to let the clergy know.
Communion Hymn 729 As in that Upper Room from Wonder, Love, and Praise Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926) Music: Sursum Corda, Alfred Morton Smith (1879-1971) Please kneel, as able, for The Post-Communion Prayer Celebrant Let us pray. People God of grace, your Son Jesus Christ left us this holy meal of bread and wine, in which we share his body and blood, a sign of his great love. May that love fill us as we watch and pray, walking in the way of the cross, that we show forth in our lives the fruits of his redemption. In his name we pray. Amen. Continue kneeling or be seated for The Stripping of the Altar In silence, members of the Altar Guild join the Acolytes and Clergy to remove all vessels and adornments of our sacramental worship. This prefigures our Lord s passion and death and the abandonment and failure of the Disciples, who left Jesus alone to face the torment of the Cross. Remembering Gethsemane All join in procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose in the Chapel of the Christ Child. The congregation sits or kneels in the Chapel and sings
Hymn 329 Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling Hymnal 1982 After a concluding collect, the Vigil begins in silence. Please stay or leave quietly. Our prayer is that tonight s worship has encouraged you in love and filled you with strength for your journey. We look forward to your presence again in worship tomorrow, as the Great Three Days continue, and on Easter Day. Join us for Good Friday and Easter GOOD FRIDAY MARCH 30 12:00 PM Good Friday Meditations on the Cross in the Church 5:00 PM Children s Service in the Chapel 7:00 PM Tenebrae (a service of scripture readings, music, and prayer) in the Church EASTER DAY APRIL 1 6:00 AM Easter Vigil in the Church 7:30 AM Potluck Breakfast in Parish Halls A and B Bring a breakfast casserole, fruit, sausage, coffee cake, single-serve cereals, etc. to share. 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I in the Chapel 8:45 AM to 12:15 PM Child care available in the Nursery 9:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Church 9:00 AM Young Children s Service for families with children 6 and under in the Chapel 10:00 AM Potluck Coffee Hour in Parish Halls A and B Bring quick breads, coffee cakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, etc. to share. 10:00 AM Children s Easter Activities in Parish Hall C 11:00 AM Choral Eucharist, Rite II in the Church The Rt. Rev. Kevin S. Brown, Bishop of Delaware, will preach at 11 AM.
PEOPLE SERVING Acolytes: Rand Barton, Henry Barton, Kathryn Cover, Penn Faulkner, Wil Faulkner; Ran Barton, Advisor. Altar Guild: Fran Bayard, Mary Henderer, Diane Mateson, Kim Nelkin, Marty Rushlow, Barbara Tucker. Eucharistic Ministers: Alex Ergon, Emily Knox. Lector: Nick Cerchio. Ushers: Alex Ergon, Jamie Poston. Our parish s mission: As followers of Christ, we share the beauty and power of God s transforming love through worship, community, and service in the world. PARISH CLERGY The Rev. Ruth Beresford, Rector The Rev. Stephen Setzer, Associate Rector The Rev. Ann Urinoski, Priest Associate The Very Rev. William Lane, Pastoral Associate LAY MINISTRY STAFF Bruce Barber, Director of Music; Lynne Jensen, Minister for Children and Youth; Jo Harney, Head of School (CCEP) David Hearn, Assistant Organist/Choirmaster; Nadine DiLorenzo, Director of Children s Choirs ADMINISTRATIVE & FACILITIES STAFF Sherry Lawton-Fasic, Parish Administrator Michael Sayer, Facilities Manager Kate Schlegel, Administrative Associate for Communications; Jane Rubini, Administrative Associate Denise Gilliam, Assistant to Head of School David Hald, Andy Marine, Charles Parfitt-Simpson, Sextons VESTRY & OFFICERS Joe Zakielarz, 18, Senior Warden; Al Smith, 18, Junior Warden; Dana Robertson, Clerk Mark Parsells, Treasurer; Richard Laird, Assistant Treasurer; Rand Barton, Youth Representative Hardy Drane, 19; Hal Erskine, 20; Nancy Greenberg, 18; Chris Grundner, 20; Lee Kallos, 18 Scott Poole, 20; Greer Silliman, 19; Lynne Swartz, 20; Sandy Van Wormer, 19; Annie Woolard-Provine, 19 Christ Church Christiana Hundred P. O. Box 3510, 505 E. Buck Road Wilmington, Delaware 19807-0510 Phone: (302) 655-3379 Website: www.christchurchde.org Office Hours: Monday Friday, 8:30 AM 4:30 PM