Come to the the Lord’s Table
On this special day during Holy Week we remember our Savior’s last meal with his disciples. On the very night he was betrayed Jesus broke break and blessed wine, passing it on to his disciples as a sign of his body and blood—broken and shed on our behalf.
Maundy Thursday is an intimate time, recalling the expectation and unease which permeates the stories of The Last Supper in the Gospels. It launches us toward Good Friday, when Jesus is Crucified, while instilling us with hope that Jesus’ sacrifice is not in vain.
Come. Join us at the table so the joy of the resurrection might shine all the more bright in your lives!
Prelude
Call to Worship
What shall we return to the LORD for all his bounty to us?
We will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD;
we will pay our vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
—from Psalm 116:12-14, NRSV
Hymn: #413 “Break Thou the Bread of Life”
OT Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
Prayer of Thanksgiving
NT Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken:
We confess that we have failed to fulfill your will for us.
We betray our neighbors, desert our friends,
and run in fear when we should be loyal.
Though you have bound yourself to us,
we have not bound ourselves to you.
God, have mercy on us weak and willful people.
Lead us once again to your table,
and unite us to Christ,
who is the bread of life
and the vine from which we grow in grace.
To Christ be praise forever. Amen.
Words of Assurance
We have seen and do testify
that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.
God abides in those who confess
that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God,
and God abides in them.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
the Jesus we remember tonight is the Savior of the world.
In Christ we are forgiven.
And through him God abides with even us.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
—based on 1 John 4:14-16, NRSV
Passing the Peace
Hymn: #462 “Come, Share the Lord”
Gospel Reading: John 13:1-17, 31-35
Communion
Special Music—”Remember,” by Laura Story (performed by Colleen Smith)
Gospel Reading: Mark 14:32-50
Benediction in Song—”Gethsemane Hymn,” by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend (performed by Colleen Smith)
After the music ends, please depart in silence.