Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Worship service - April 17, 2014

Maundy Thursday Service: Thursday 17th April, 2014

Prologue:        Luke 22:1-6

Prelude

First reading: Luke 22:7-13

Hymn:              #94 – An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare

Prayer of Urgent Confession

Pastor:             Lord Jesus, You see the reality of our lives and know every event we experience. We are not worthy of Your love, for we are not completely faithful to Your ways. On this terrible night of betrayal, our sins are fully revealed and our secret shame is exposed to You. We confess that we have disowned Your beautiful words and dismissed Your sacred teaching.

People:                       O Lord, we are arrogant and vain instead of being humble and devoted. Even as Christians, we are often stubborn and foolish, instead of being trustworthy and faithful. We frequently disappoint our loved ones and discard our neighbor’s needs. We fill our hearts and minds with daydreams and desires, instead of Your commands and truth.

Pastor:             Forgive us, Lord Jesus, for surrendering to sin and succumbing to temptation. Pardon us for casting You aside in order to embrace the world’s distractions. On this night, above all other nights, help us to hold on to Your hope, so that we may grasp the grace of God as His Powerful Spirit passes over us. Hear us now as we silently confess our sins.

Time of personal confession and reflective silence

Pastor:              O Son of Man, Redeemer of the world; have mercy upon us miserable sinners. Amen.

2nd Reading:  Luke 22:14-23

Hymn:              #5 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

3rd Reading:   Luke 22:24-30

Choir Anthem:            

4th reading:   Luke 22:31-38

Hymn:              #97      Go To Dark Gethesemane

5^th reading:     Luke 22:39-46

Homily            Are We There Yet?

COMMUNION  - At the appropriate time, the congregation shall come forward to receive the bread and wine.  After this, the elders will come to those who wish to take communion where they are seated.

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)      Lord Jesus, Your Holy Spirit has deeply afflicted and spiritually convicted us this evening. We know that we sent You to the Cross because we are selfish creatures and constant sinners. Yet, despite these human failures and common faults, You still offer us Your grace and God’s peace. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for redeeming our souls and restoring us to God. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

Hymn:              #98      O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Epilogue: Luke 22:47-53

Congregation Exits Silently