2023 Maundy Thursday Bulletin verth

HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | 26275 NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076
CHURCH PHONE 248-356-1020
WWW.HOPEUMC.ORG
The Reverend B. Kevin Smalls, D. Min., Senior Pastor

The Last Supper
Service of Word and Table
MUSICAL PRELUDE (GATHER IN SANCTUARY)
PROCEDURE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Tonight, we will be observing Holy Communion and the Last Supper in a manner
reminding us of the night when Jesus gathered with the twelve disciples in an Upper
Room. Christ hath humbled himself, and become obedient unto death: even the death of
the cross. Let us be in complete silence and reverence as we observe the holiness of this
Maundy Thursday Service.
GREETING:
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Christ has prepared a feast of love.
WELCOME OF UNSEEN GUEST
“Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest. He is at every meal, the silent listener
to every conversation.” Many have a plaque with these words hanging in their home.
It is interesting to consider the difference a guest makes in one’s home, whether it is an
elderly parent or a bouncing ten pound baby. When someone comes to stay with us our
life style inevitably changes as a result.
Jesus has offered to become a guest in our churches and homes, as the plaque indicates.
Of course, one of the big differences is that He is unseen and unheard but if we are still
we can feel His presence, but that does not make him any the less there. In fact, he has
not only offered to come into our homes and churches but he is willing to bring his Father
with him, for he has told us, “If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will
love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
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Let’s make Him welcome at the special seat just for Him– no one enjoys being in a place
where they are not wanted and it is doubtful that Jesus will remain as our ”unseen guest” if
our way of life tells him that He is not wanted or accepted.
Let us heed the knock of Jesus and welcome Him in today to be a guest at the table with
open arms, for He has promised, ”Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears
my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
*THE COLLECT: (All)
O God: your love lived in Jesus Christ, who washed disciples’ feet on the night of his
betrayal. Wash from us the stain of sin, so that, in hours of danger, we may not fail, but
follow your Son through every trial, and praise him to the world as Lord and Christ, to
whom be glory now and forever.
*INVOCATION
*INVOCATION RESPONSE
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord.
Incline Thine ear to us and grant us Thy peace, Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (in Unison)
Most merciful God, we your Church confess that often our spirit has not been that of
Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as he loves us, where we have
pledged loyalty to him with our lips and then betrayed, deserted, or denied him,
forgive us, we pray; and by your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
SCRIPTURE John 13:1-17; 31b-35
MUSICAL SELECTION
“THE MEDITATION”
Rev. Amani Henry
The Reverend B. Kevin Smalls, D. Min, Senior Pastor
MUSICAL SELECTION
Rev. Amani Henry
Please follow the ushers as we process out in silence to Fellowship Hall.
(RINGING OF BELL)
SERVING OF THE MEAL
HOLY COMMUNION (The “bread and cup” to be taken in silence) Page 4
* Please Stand
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*DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING
Leader: Go forth in peace to walk the way of his cross and resurrection. My Jesus Christ, who
was put to death for our sins, bless you and keep you. May Jesus Christ who was raised to
life for our salvation let light shine upon you. May Jesus Christ be your life and peace, now
and forever.
People: We hear, and with our hearing, add our voices to the hymn of thanksgiving of
all who have known and will yet know Christ as Savior and Ruler.
Leader: Let us leave in silence as we prepare to leave our offering at the door.
Please remember to place your offering in the basket at the door as you depart
from Fellowship Hall.
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have,
for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”.
3 * Please Stand

The Lord’s Supper
And
Holy Communion
Invitation (Leader):
Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him and seek to grow into his
likeness. Let us draw near with faith, make our humble confession, and
prepare to receive this Holy Sacrament.
Confession and Pardon (All):
We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting
in our own goodness, but in your unfailing mercies. We are not worthy
that you should receive us, but give your Word and we shall be
healed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (All)
Breaking The Bread (Leader):
The body of Christ, given for you. Amen.
The blood of Christ, given for you. Amen.
Prayer (ALL):
Most bountiful God, We give you thanks for the world you have created, for
the gift of life, and for giving yourself to us in Jesus Christ, whose holy life,
suffering and death, and glorious resurrection have delivered us from
slavery to sin and death. We thank you that in the power of your Holy Spirit
you have fed us in this Sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a
foretaste of your heavenly banquet. We are your children, and yours is the
glory, now and forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God,
And the communion of the
Holy Spirit Be with you (all)
Amen.
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May the God of endurance and
encouragement grant you to live in such
harmony with one another, in accord with
Christ Jesus, that together you may with
one voice glorify the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Romans 15:5-6 (ESV)
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Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three
days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately
following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word "Maundy" comes from the
Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." As recorded in John's gospel,
on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his
disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he
had loved them (John 13:34).
While John's gospel does not record the institution of the Lord's Supper among
the events of this night, the other gospels do. Christians therefore keep this
night with celebrations both at the basin and at the Lord's Table (Holy
Communion).
We gather in silence as we witness the presence of the Holy Spirit as we move
through the remainder of the night in which Jesus met with His disciples in the
upper room for what would be His Last Supper. Maundy Thursday services are
typically more solemn occasions, marked by the shadow of Jesus' betrayal.
Elements of the Meal:
Lamb; The word 'pesach' (pasch, passover) applies to the Lamb of sacrifice
and to the feast itself.
Unleavened bread; called "bread of affliction" because it recalls the
unleavened bread.
Bitter herbs; (Moror) is a reminder of the bitterness of the cup and the
suffering.
Green herbs; to be dipped in salt water. Salt water represents tears of sorrow
shed.
Wine represents the blood which was shed for us.
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