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Updates Weekly Bulletin

2023Maundy Thurs Bulletin Cover

Maundy Thursday Worship Service

April 4, 2023

A Service of Holy Communion & Tenebrae

The Church of Christ, Union

Maundy Thursday, April 6, 2023

7:00 pm Service of Foot and Hand Washing

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. You are welcome to participate in washing the hands or feet of others as you are moved.

7:30 pm Gathering to hear and know

    Prelude        Contemplation on Ubi Caritas, Chant Antiphon         arr. C. McMichael

Union Church Handbell Ensemble; Bernardo Scarambone, organ; Charles Hoffman, cello

   Welcome

   Greeting and Invitation

¨ Hymn #222 My Song Is Love Unknown     Rhosymedre

1 My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me, love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. Oh, who am I that for my sake my God should take frail flesh and die? My God should take frail flesh and die?

2 God left the richest throne salvation to bestow, but Christ as flesh and bone the world refused to know. But O, my friend, my friend indeed, who at my need did life expend! Who at my need did life expend!

3 Sometimes they threw down palms and his sweetest praises sang, hosannas and glad psalms through streets and markets rang. Then “Crucify!” is all their breath, for blood and death they thirst and cry; for blood and death they thirst and cry.

4 What has my Sovereign done? What makes this rage and spite? Christ gave new strength to run, restored the gift of sight. Sweet injuries! Yet they at these themselves displease and ‘gainst Christ  rise; themselves displease and ‘gainst Christ  rise.

5 I sing my plain belief, one song my heart outpours; never was pain or grief, never was love like yours. This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend; I all my days could gladly spend.

Judas’ Decision

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 26:14-19

   Choir Anthem            It Was a Sad and Solemn Night         Isaac Watts/Freeman Lewis

Story of the Meal

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 26:20-30

   Receiving Communion

Tonight we will receive by intinction (dipping the unleavened bread in the cup) and by serving one another at the two tables on either side of the chancel. The bread is gluten free. Both wine and grape juice are offered tonight and will be clearly marked.

   Hymn #219  Journey to Gethsemane           Redhead No. 76

1 Journey to Gethsemane, go and feel the tempter’s power; Your Redeemer’s conflict see; Watch the anguish of this hour; Turn not from His griefs away;
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

2 Follow then to Pilate’s hall; view the Lord of life arraigned; crowned with thorns and mocked by all, faithfully this pain sustained; Greater still than shame, or loss; Jesus now must face the cross.

3 Calvary’s mournful mountain climb, see the Savior lifted high, Mark the miracle of time, God’s own Child is sacrificed “It is finished!” Jesus cries; learn from Jesus how to die.

4 Early hasten to the tomb, hear the cry of great surprise; then the silence in the room, Jesus there no longer lies: Christ is risen! Realize that with Christ we, too, may rise.

Prediction of Peter’s Denial

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 26:31-35

   Musical Meditation Minuet in D-minor       Johann Buttstett

Jesus Prays in the Garden

   Hearing the Story                  Matthew 26:36-56

   Choir & Orchestra AnthemLamb of God    arr. F. Melius Christiansen

                              Union Church Choir, Orchestra and Organ

Lamb of God most holy, who on the cross did suffer, patient, still and lowly, thyself to scorn didst offer; our sins by thee were taken, or hope had us forsaken: Have mercy on us, O Jesu!

Jesus Taken to the High Priest’s House

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 26:57-27:2

   Stripping the Sanctuary

As Jesus was stripped of all finery before the soldiers, so we remove the finery and trappings of our sanctuary. We remove or cover all symbols of Christ’s presence and proclamation including the table, the Peace Bell, and even the pulpit where “good news” is proclaimed. These are covered to symbolize the darkness of the world and the death of Jesus.

Suicide of Judas

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 27:3-10

   Musical Meditation When Jesus Wept        William Billings

                              Henry Heydinger and Jameson Tuwe, singers

When Jesus wept, the falling tear in mercy flowed beyond all bound; When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the guilty world around.       

Pilate Questions Jesus

   Hearing the Story               Matthew 27:11-14

   Piano Solo    What Wondrous Love Is This Jan Sunborn

The Release of Barabbas InStead of Jesus

   Hearing the Story               Matthew 27:15-26

   Hymn #226 O Sacred Head Now Wounded              Passion Chorale

Jesus Mocked by Soldiers

   Hearing the Story               Matthew 27:27-31

   Organ Solo Meditation on Deo Gracias    Johannes Brahms

Jesus Crucified at Golgotha

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 27:32-44

   Cello Solo   Ah, Holy Jesus            Charles Hoffman

The Death of Jesus

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 27:45-56

   Silence         

Jesus’ Body Laid in the Tomb

   Hearing the Story                   Matthew 27:57-61

   Musical Meditation “Were You There?”      Spiritual Jameson Tuwe, soloist      

   The Candle of Hope Carried Forth

Leaving, Waiting, Watching

   Silence and Darkness

Those who wish may remain to pray. Tomorrow the church will remain locked and  unlit. We depart to our homes to pray for the light.

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