Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service

April 17, 7:30pm

 

Welcome & Words about the Tenebrae Service                                                                  Dr. Jeff Smith

 

Call to Worship:                                       John 10:14; 18 (Unison)

 

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from my Father.”

 

Introit                                              Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs. 1)                                              #220

 

The Announcement of Betrayal                   John 13:1-2                                             Rev. Larke Blanton

 

*Hymn                             My Song Is Love Unknown    (verses 1-2)                                     #209

 

*Prayer of Confession                                                                                                     Dr. Jeff Smith

Merciful God, we confess that our discipleship has often been weak.  We have failed to serve as Christ serves us, we have failed to love one another as Christ loves us, and we’re happy to proclaim our devotion to Christ with our lips, yet deny him in our lives.  Lord, have mercy upon us.  Cleanse us and renew us that our lives may show forth the love and grace we have received from you.  For we offer our prayer to you in the strong name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

 

*Assurance of Forgiveness

Pastor:                                             Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.

Congregation:                            In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.  Thanks be to God!

              

Preparing for the Passover              John 6:48-59                                                    Rev. Larke Blanton

 

*Hymn                                            An Upper Room Did our Lord Prepare     (vs. 1-3)       #202

The Supper                                                 John 13:3-17                                               Dr. Jeff Smith

 

Meditation                                   “Setting an Example”                                           

Celebrating the Lord’s Supper

 

Invitation to the Table                                                                                                  Rev. Larke Blanton

Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer

Words of Institution                                                                                                        Dr. Jeff Smith

The Supper

 

Closing Prayer

 

*Hymn                                            An Upper Room Did our Lord Prepare    (vs. 4)            #202

 

THE JOURNEY INTO DARKNESS

 

SHADOW OF DESERTION & FORSAKENNESS      John 13:36-38                                Rev. Larke Blanton

 

               RESPONSE:                   What Wondrous Love Is This                                              #215

 

Unison Prayer:           Lord, like Peter we promise to follow you to the death, and yet when trouble comes our way, we leave you behind.  Yet, you have come to        be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of world; even our sin of desertion. 

 

SHADOW OF BETRAYAL                    John 13:18-30; 18:1-14                        Dr. Jeff Smith

 

               RESPONSE:                   Jesus is Betrayed by Judas                      Poor Bishop Hooper

 

Unison Prayer:           Lord, like Judas we have betrayed you in thought, word, and deed.  When you do not give us what we want, we “sell you out” for things that will temporarily satisfy us.  Yet, you have come as the true Bread of Life and the Living Water that will always satisfy us. 

 

SHADOW OF DENIAL                            John 18:15-18; 25-27                 Rev. Larke Blanton

              

               RESPONSE:                   We Walk by Faith                                arr. Anne Krentz Organ

 

Unison Prayer:           Lord, like Peter we have denied you time after time, day after day.  We follow you when it’s convenient for us instead of giving you every moment of our lives.  Yet, you have come as the Good Shepherd, always faithful to care for your sheep; even when they stray away. 

 

SHADOW OF MOCKERY                      John 18:19-22                                           Dr. Jeff Smith

              

               RESPONSE:                   Just As I Am                                                               Travis Cottrell

 

Unison Prayer:           Lord, you have traded the majesty of heaven for the mockery of earth.  You came to die, for each and everyone of us.  We are guilty of scorning you, guilty of putting you to death, and yet you endure this for us – that we may be reconciled to you.  Lord, have mercy upon us.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord, have mercy upon us! 

 

STRIPPING OF THE COMMUNION TABLE

 

SILENT MOMENTS OF REFLECTION

(We ask that everyone remain seated at the close of the service contemplating and meditating upon Jesus’ fate, as the darkness falls with Good Friday soon approaching.  Please leave in silence when you are ready.  You are invited to join us Sunday morning as we bear witness to the resurrection.)

 

 

 

The Meaning of Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day during Holy Week in which Christians commemorate the event of the Last Supper. On that night almost 2000 years ago, Jesus and his disciples were celebrating a Passover meal when Jesus offered them the bread as his body and the wine as his blood in order to establish a new covenant with them. The word “Maundy” comes from a Latin term meaning “mandate” and refers to Jesus’ command to continue the celebration of this Last Supper. Each time we participate in communion (and especially on Maundy Thursday), the commandment of Jesus is being obeyed.