From: Stan Duncan MAUNDY THURSDAY and Service of Communion April 20, 2000 7:15 p.m. PRELUDE: Please use this time for private meditation. When the choirs, ministers and readers enter in silence, please stand. WELCOME AND GREETING OPENING COLLECT (Unison) Almighty God, we ask you to look with mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over tot he hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen THE REPROACHES (After each question, join in one of the following responses.) Leader: Holy God, People: Holy And Mighty, Holy And Immortal One, Have Mercy And Hear Us ANTHEM THE LAST SUPPER (The ushers will guide you as you come forward to receive Communion. Take a piece of the unleavened bread and dip it into the chalice. Take as long as you like, and return to your seats when you are finished.) THE LORD'S PRAYER (Using "Sins" instead of "Trespasses") HYMN "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"No. 224 (vv. 1,4) A SERVICE OF TENEBRAE The Seven Last Words of Christ THE FIRST WORD "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." LESSON: Luke 23:13-38 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: Almighty God, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope in the world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love. Amen HYMN "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"No. 224 (vv. 1,4) THE SECOND WORD "Today you will be with me in Paradise" LESSON: Luke 23:39-43 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: Jesus, you have called us to follow you. Grant that our love may not grow cold in your service and that we may not fail or deny you in the hour of trial. Amen HYMN "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" No. 226 (vv. 1,3) THE THIRD WORD: "Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother." LESSON: John 19:17-27 SILENT MEDITATION (followed by unison prayer) PRAYER: God, our creator, you have sent your Son to show us your love and the way of life. Make us sincerely thankful for this gift and for your patience with our sins and sorrow. Amen HYMN "Were you there? No. 229 (vv. 1,4) THE FOURTH WORD "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" LESSON: Matt. 27:45-49 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen HYMN "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" No. 190 (vv. 1,3) THE FIFTH WORD "I thirst" LESSON: John 19:28-29 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: Merciful God, you sent your Son to be our peace. Help all who suffer pain or grief to find in him strength and peace, so that their trust in your promises may be renewed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen HYMN "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" No. 197 (vv. 1, 4) THE SIXTH WORD "It is finished" LESSON: John 19:30 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: O God, your Son chose the path which led to pain before joy and the cross before glory. Plant his cross in our hearts, so that in its power and love we come to the final joy and glory; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen HYMN "I need Thee Ev'ry Hour" No. 517 (vv. 1, 4) THE SEVENTH WORD "Into thy hands, I commit my spirit." LESSON: Luke 23:44-49 SILENT MEDITATION PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you carried our sins in your own body on the tree so that we might have life. May we and all who remember this day find new life in you now and in the world to come, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen PSALM 51 Following the reading, the Christ Candle is removed from sight and a time of silence observed. Then the "strepitus" is heard, a loud noise signifying the close of the tomb and the earthquake .The candle is returned to its stand, a foreshadowing of the Resurrection. Worshipers may leave the church in silence when they are ready. ================================================================== WELCOME TO THIS EVENING'S SERVICE. It includes several ancient Maundy Thursday traditions. Many we have used before in our services, and some are new. THE REPROACHES contrast God's goodness with the faithlessness of God's people. THE BIDDING PRAYER is a series of bids, silences, and petitions and is followed by the Lord's Prayer. TENEBRAE is a Latin word that means "darkness" or "shadows." The service comes from the monastic tradition where, along with other daily worship, "Tenebrae" was the last service on the eves of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The original office was a series of lamentations from the Psalms or elsewhere in scripture. Tonight, instead of lamentations, you will hear portions of the Passion narrative from the Gospels. In keeping with the Tenebrae tradition, however, lights on the candelabra and in the church will gradually be extinguished until only the Christ Candle is left. Then the Christ Candle will be removed from view, symbolizing the apparent victory of the powers of darkness at Jesus' death. The "strepitus," a loud noise during the time of darkness will suggest the earthquake at the moment Jesus' died. The return of the candle to its stand foreshadows the Resurrection. At this point, the service is over. Please leave in meditative silence when you are ready.