In the Community Room
7:00 pm Service of Foot and Hand Washing, 7:30 pm We Gather to Worship
Jesus taught that leadership begins with service. The act of washing the feet of guests after a journey was usually the work of slaves, but Jesus insisted on washing the feet of his disciples on the night before he was betrayed. It was an act intended to honor and welcome those who serve. Either hands or feet will be washed with warm water scented with oil, then dried with fresh towels.
Maundy Thursday: “The word “Maundy” comes from “mandatum novum,“ the Latin translation of John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment…that you love one another” Jesus spoke these words to the disciples on the evening when the First Supper was celebrated, just before he was betrayed and taken away to his trial. We commemorate this new commandment at every celebration of Communion. Tonight we remember the institution of the sacrament.
Tenebrae: On this night we commemorate the events of Jesus’ life that led to his crucifixion. We gather to tell the story of the gospel and to share communion just as the original disciples did on this night nearly 2,000 years ago. “Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning, “shadows.” This Service of Tenebrae is an adaptation of a liturgy that dates from the fourth century. The candles represent the disciples and the Christ. The denial and desertion is represented by the gradual darkness culminating in the total darkness of death and burial. A single, sheltered candle is re-lit and taken from the sanctuary at the close of the service to prophesy of the Easter so soon to come.
The Story According To Luke: Tonight’s reading of the “Passion” narrative is taken from the gospel according to Luke, the author of both the book of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. This gospel was written to and for a gentile (non-Jewish) community sometime between 75 and 130 CE. For Luke, it is important to his readers understand that Jesus was condemned to death because of the actions of the religious and political authorities and not in any way because he was deserving of the crucifixion. Luke alone of all the gospel writers uses the verb “paschein,” “to suffer,” when speaking of Christ’s death. For Luke, Jesus must suffer simply because he is the messiah. God in Christ is changing the nature of honor and power; showing true glory by letting go of power and entering into the suffering of the world. The entire gospel could be summarized in the words of Bob Pierce, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”
Communion: Originally the meal that is described in the Gospels was served on low tables while the guests reclined on the floor or on cushions. The bread we use tonight is similar to what may have been served at the First Table, and both wine and grape juice are provided to symbolize the gift of Christ’s blood. This is Jesus’ table, not our own. All who would be fed are welcome here.
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