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Holy Thursday
Exodus 12:1–4 (5–10), 11–14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 |
Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 | John 13:1–17, 31b–35 |
OPENING WORDS / CALL TO WORSHIP
This is a day of remembrance for us.
Exod. 12:14
We lift up the cup of salvation
Ps. 116:13
and call on the name of the Lord.
Throughout the generations,
Exod. 12:14c
we have received and handed on to others
1 Cor. 11:23
what the Lord has given to us:
water for washing; the towel of service;
John 13:4–5
the bread of his body; the cup of the new covenant;
1 Cor. 11:24–26
proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes again.
[or]
[Members of the congregation bring forward a towel, a bowl of water, a loaf of bread, and a cup of wine.]
In the growing darkness we gather.
Our Lenten journey has brought us here.
Jesus, our Teacher and Lord, sets before us
John 13:13
a towel,
a bowl,
bread,
a cup.
He gives us an example
and a commandment ever new:
John 13:34–35
to love one another as he has loved us.
This is how everyone will know
we are his disciples,
when we love each other.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Even among Jesus’ closest disciples,
John 13:10–11
not all were clean.
On this night of all nights,
we confess the ways we disappoint,
deny, and even betray
Jesus, our Teacher and Lord.
Our confession of sin is made in the sure knowledge
that Jesus is able to wash us in forgiveness and love.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy God,
you have called us to serve others as Christ has served us.
John 13:14–15
We confess that we have not followed Christ’s example
as fully or as often as we should.
We turn away from people in need.
True humility eludes us,
and we hide our own vulnerability before others.
You have commanded us to love one another as you have loved us.
John 13:34
We confess that we do not love so generously.
Gathered on this Holy Thursday,
we confess that we are capable of denying and betraying you
and one another,
John 13:2, 10–11
no less than the first disciples.
Forgive us, merciful God,
and cleanse us of all our sin;
then guide our feet to walk with you always.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Disciples of Christ,
having loved his own who were in the world,
Jesus loved them to the end.
Jesus knows us fully
and offers love and forgiveness unconditionally.
In gratitude for the grace given to us,
and as a witness to our faith in Christ,
we will love one another.
[On Holy Thursday, it is especially fitting to follow the Confession of Sin and Declaration of Forgiveness by passing the peace of Christ.]
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of love,
during Holy Week,
we give you thanks for this night
Jesus shared with his disciples.
Between the public parade
and the public charade
is this intimate hour.
Though even now we do not fully understand,
John 13:7
we long to follow his example:
to serve as he served,
John 13:14, 34
to love as he loved.
Jesus promised
that if we know these things and do them,
John 13:17
we will be blessed.
Help us, then, to know and to do
all that Jesus taught.
Though we betray and deny,
we still come seeking a blessing,
for this much we do know:
we cannot live unless you bless us. Amen.
Gen. 32:26
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray,
that we may see the light of your Word
in the darkness of our lives.
And seeing, may we understand;
understanding, may we do all that you ask.
John 13:17
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE BLESSING OF WATER FOR WASHING
[If the service is to include footwashing, this prayer may precede that act.]
Loving God,
as Jesus took a basin and poured the water long ago,
John 13:5
we bring these basins of water before you.
Bless this water for washing,
and bless the feet of your servants, too.
Wash away the stains and strains of this life, we pray,
that we may walk anew in the ways of Christ.
In true humility, we bend our lives in service to you.
Help us all, by your example, to understand more deeply
John 13:7
how we are meant to serve
rather than be served,
for love’s sake.
In Christ we pray. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESS...
