Maundy Thursday Service **Words to Begin Worship** Jesus and his followers have gathered in Jerusalem, together with

a throng of other pilgrims. It is time of the festival of the Passover a time to remember when the Jewish people had been set free from slavery and death in Egypt by a sign from God as presented in the 12th chapter of Exodus. This is the story of the night when Jesus was taken from his followers and handed over to the Roman powers to be killed. It is the story of his last act with his gathered disciples and followers, and his last words to them about what it means to keep going on from here. Please stand as we share in the Responsive Call to Worship and remain standing for the Hymn and the Unison Invocation and Lords Prayer. **Responsive Call to Worship Why is tonight different from every other night? Because tonight everything changes. The celebration of our Feast of Freedom is turned inside out. Our liberator is captured. And we, as disciples, are scattered. A question lodges in our hearts: whom shall we serve? HYMN - Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLjLZyLXke4 Jesus walked this lonesome valley. He had to walk it by Himself; O, nobody else could walk it for Him, He had to walk it by Himself.

We must walk this lonesome valley, We have to walk it by ourselves; O, nobody else can walk it for us, We have to walk it by ourselves.

You must go and stand your trial, You have to stand it by yourself, O, nobody else can stand it for you, You have to stand it by yourself. **Unison Prayer and Lords Prayer Gracious God, as those who strive to follow Jesus we reflect upon the life that ended on a cross. We recognize that although Jesus disciples loved him, they disappointed and failed him. Gathering with his disciples at the last meal Jesus washed their feet, and then extended the bread and cup to each. Jesus called them to love one another, and invited them to share in his ministry. We are humbled, honored and inspired by the deep love Christ has for the world. Forgive us when we disappoint and fail you, and guide us back to a place of faithful living. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray to you saying. Our Father who art in Heaven, hollowed be your 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen **SONG 30 Pieces of Silver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fRllfcvDH8 'Tis a sad but true story, from the Bible it came. And it tells us how Judas sold out Savior in shame. He planned with his council of high priests that day Thirty pieces of silver was the price they would pay. Thirty pieces of silver, thirty shackles of shame, Was the price paid for Jesus, on the cross He was slain. Betrayed and forsaken, unloved and unclaimed. In anger they pierced Him, but He did not die in vain. 2

'Twas there on the hillside the multitude came, And found our dear Savior, and took Him away. They smote and they mocked Him, thorns were crowned 'round His head, And His rainment of purple showed the blood stains of red. Far off in the mountains with face toward the sun, Judas begged mercy for what he had done. He gave back the silver, for his heart filled with strife. Then there in the mountains he took his own life. **Preparation for the Passover Meal Judas Iscariot was one of the 12 disciples. He went to the Chief Priests and asked, How much will you give me if I help you arrest Jesus? They paid Judas 30 pieces of silver; and from that time Judas was looking for a good chance to betray Jesus. It was before the evening of the Passover Meal when the Devil put in the mind of Judas that the Passover celebration was a good time for the betrayal to take place. (At this time myself and my fianc, Nikki walk up to the front of the church. Nikki sits down and removes her sandals. I place her feet in a tub and pour water on them. I then dried her feet with a cloth. We then stood silently and returned to our seats.) Earlier in the evening Jesus had sent Peter and John ahead of the others to find a room and to prepare the Passover meal. Because a borrowed room was being used for the Passover celebration, there was no servant or host present to wash the feet of Jesus and the other guests. SO, Jesus removed his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin, washed the disciples feet and dried them with a towel. He kneeled down to wash Simon Peters feet and Peter said to him, Lord are you going to wash my feet? And 3

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 do not belong to me. Peter responded, Then, Lord, dont just wash my feet, but also wash my hands and my head. After he washed their feet and put his outer garment back on, he returned to the table and said to them. If I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have set you an example, and you should do for each other what I have done for you. **Invitation to the Lords Supper Peter and John have set the table and prepared the meal. Now we are invited to share it with the disciples and with one another. Let us remember the actions and words of Jesus and the table. As they were eating Jesus took the bread, and blessed and broke it and gave it to them and said, Take, eat, this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. You are invited to come to the table as space is available and as you are ready. Stay as longas you wish. When you finish partaking of the loaf and the cup, please return to your seats in a spirit of prayer to await the beginning of the Tenebrae service. Tenebrae is a dramatic portrayal of the desertion of Christ by the disciples. **Hymn Who is That Man? (I was unable to find this hymn online. I also do not have a church hymnal handy.) **Tenebrae Service or Service of Shadows (The gradual extinguishing of lights is symbolic of the flight of the disciples, the approach of the enemies and the suffering of Jesus. The total darkness recalls the time of Jesus in the tomb.) *Candles line the center of the table in front of the church, where the Last Supper is taking place.* Candle 1: Shadow of Betrayal (Matthew 26:20-25) 20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Candle 2: Shadow of Desertion (Matthew 26:31-35) 31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Candle 3: Shadow of Lethargy (Mark 14:32-41) 32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye

here, while I shall pray. 33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Candle 4: Shadow of Violence (Matthew 26:47-52) 5

47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude

with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Candle 5: The Shadow of Denial (Luke 22: 54-62) 54Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilan. 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. 63And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

Candle 6: Shadow of Cynicism (John 18: 33-38a) 33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. Candle 7: Shadow of Irresponsibility (Matthew 27:20-26) 20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Candle 8: Shadow of Mockery (Mark 15:16-20) 7

16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Prtorium; and they call together the

whole band. 17And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
At the end of the service the Christ candle is extinguished. A LOUD noise is made as this is done to signify Christs death. After a pause, the candle is relit and stands as a symbolic promise of the resurrection. Departure All leave the darkened church in silence. The Prayer Vigil begins. (You may sign up for the Prayer Vigil in Fellowship Hall.)