One of my joys when I served as a parish priest, was the designing of liturgies. Most especially, I worked hard to design liturgies for Holy Week that would bring people through the week steadily and deliberately. We had services every night, below are the services I am most proud of and miss participating in this year.
These liturgies were adapted from other sources, as indicated, otherwise the words are mine. Any theological errors or other mistakes are mine. If you choose to use these liturgies, kindly let me know and make appropriate attribution.
The Journey of Holy Week Begins
(Our service today is structured differently than most of our Sunday services. It is designed to move us through the Passion at a more prayerful pace)
Opening Acclamation
Presider: Come. Come seeking words.
All: Come to give your tongue praise.
Deacon: Come. Come to find your voice.
All: Come to hear the response.
Presider: Come. Come to open your ears.
All: Come to listen.
Deacon: Come. Come to be healed by the silence.
All: Come to stand together.
Presider: Come. Come to approach what words
cannot describe.
All: Come to find God.
Hymn
“No Tramp of Soldier’s Marching Feet”
The Presider continues:
Come. Come O Holy One.
Come through the streets.
Come into the house.
Come to find a space beside us at the table.
Come to challenge our answers about:
Why tragedy comes
Why poverty increases
Why we are afraid.
Come O Holy One.
Speak to us in the silence
With wisdom greater than ours
With love deeper than ours
With change wider than ours.
Shared Silence is observed
The Deacon continues:
Come O Holy One.
Fill in these stories
with your wisdom
with your love
with your change
so that we might rely on your answers.
Here and now. Amen.
The First Reader:
First Reading: The Palm Parade Mark 11:1-11
They were looking for answers. So, they went to Jerusalem. They gathered in the streets to make a way for peace. On the other side of the city, there was another procession. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, rode into Jerusalem with an army of horses, armored soldiers and waving banners.
On the other side of the city, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus had sent two of his disciples to go into the village and find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. He instructed them, “If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" They replied with the answer Jesus had given. “The Lord needs it,” they said.
Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and Jesus sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who needed answers, those who had come looking for peace, began shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
Presider: Come. Join in the parade, you who need answers, you who came looking for peace.
Blessing of the Palms
(adapted from The Church of the Province of New Zealand alternate liturgies)
Presider: The Lord is here.
All: God's Spirit is with us.
Presider: Let us give thanks to God.
All: It is right to offer thanks and praise.
Presider: It is right to praise you, Sovereign God, for the acts of love by which you have set us free. On this day Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly to suffer and to die and was greeted with branches of palm. Let these branches be for us symbols of martyrdom and majesty. May we who carry them follow Christ in the way of the cross which leads to life; through Christ who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Deacon: Let us honor God’s love through Jesus.
All: Amen. We praise the name of Christ.
The palms are distributed. Please wave your palms with gusto as we sing!
Hymn
“All Glory Laud and Honor”
The Second Reader reads:
The Second Reading: The Anointing Mark 14:1-9
It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said, "Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people."
They were looking for their own answers. They thought they knew how the world worked. While they worried, Jesus sat at the table in the house of Simon the leper. A woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.
But some were there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her. She did not reply. She continued with her task. She did what she could; she anointed his body beforehand for its burial. Jesus spoke, where she did not. “Truly I tell you,” he said. “Wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
Deacon: Come. Kneel beside her.
Do not speak but remember what your hands have done to proclaim the good news.
Silence
The third reader reads:
The Third Reading: The Last Supper Mark 14:10-25
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
They didn’t understand his way. They didn’t understand all that he taught but when it came time to share in the Passover feast, they turned to Jesus. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples asked, "Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." The disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, "Surely, not I?" He said to them, those looking for answers, those who came looking for peace, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born."
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Presider: Come. Find your place at this table,
you who need answers, you who came looking for peace.
The Homily The Rev’d Cathy Dempesy-Sims
The Peace
Presider: The Peace of the Lord be with you .
All: And Also with You
The people exchange a sign of peace with one another.
No announcements today
Offertory Sentence:
God of mercy and compassion,
your Word calls us home to faith and love.
your Word calls us home to faith and love.
accept all we offer you this day.
HYMN
“Ride on Jesus Ride On”
The Great Thanksgiving
Presider: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
Presider: Let us give thanks for the peace of God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Presider continues:
In the streets,
In our homes,
Here beside this table,
We give you thanks,
O Holy One.
We give you thanks for giving us a story.
Even when we do not understand its meaning,
Even when we doubt it happened this way,
Even when we want to rush ahead to the end,
We know that you have given us this story
in which to live and move and have our being.
We remember that your story did not begin with this parade,
but began when you came to move over the waters of creation.
We remember the tragedies that came to your people.
And we know that you were not silent.
You gave your people a story.
You gave your people a rainbow.
You gave your people peace and
You gave your people a song:
Gathered here with us now, O Holy One,
Speak to us through this bread and this cup.
Remind us of all the stories we’ve ever heard about you.
Imbue these symbols with your peace
So that we might find your peace within ourselves.
On the night before he was killed by those who feared both him and you,
Jesus ate a Passover meal with his friends.
Remembering your power, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to his friends, and said,
"Take this and eat it. This is my Body, and ours, to be shared. Whenever you eat it, remember me."
After supper he took wine, blessed it, gave it to them, and said, "Drink this. This is my Blood, and ours, the source of our life. Whenever you drink it, remember me."
Remembering Jesus and the power of your love revealed through him, we ask you, Source of all Life and Love, to bless this bread and wine, making them for us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your Body and ours.
Bless us, that we may be for you Jesus Christ's Body in the world, people in love with you and your creation.
All this we ask in your holy name, that with Christ and in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may live forever as your people,
O gentle God of power and grace.
AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
The Fraction and Invitation to Holy Communion
Presider: Come and find your place at this table.
Deacon: Come without answers.
Presider Come without knowing peace.
Deacon Come without preparation.
Presider Come. Come to find a place here.
Deacon This is the table Christ prepares for us.
Presider This is the feast God imagines –
where peace can be found in a simple meal. Receive this feast, come and be fed.
All who feel drawn to the altar are invited to receive communion. There is no requirement beyond a desire to receive. If you would prefer a blessing just cross your arms over your chest to indicate that desire.
The Story Continues….
The fourth reader reads:
The Garden Mark 14:32-40
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." And going a little farther, Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, "Abba, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." He came and found them sleeping; and Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. They had no answers.
Deacon: Come. Rest in the garden,
you who are weary, you who don’t have any answers.
Silence
The fifth reader reads:
The Betrayal Mark 14:43-50
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. He was confident in his own answer. He thought he knew how this must end. So, he had told the chief priests, the scribes and the elders, “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." When he came, he went up to Jesus at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him.
But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. They had come looking for answers. They had come looking for peace. This wasn’t the way. They didn’t understand. And so, they deserted him and fled.
Presider: Come. Run into your fears,
you who need answers, you who came looking for peace.
Silence
The Presider reads:
The Arrest Mark 14:53-65
They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. There did not have one answer. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'" But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
The chief priests, the elders and the scribes knew their answer. They thought they knew the ways of God. They thought they knew all that God could do. There was nothing that could convince them otherwise. They spit on him and blindfolded him. They beat him for the words he said.
Deacon: Come. Listen to what God might be saying.
Listen to what God might be doing
that doesn’t fit with everything that you have been taught about this world.
Listen for God to speak.
Silence
The Deacon reads:
The Denial Mark 14:66-72
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by.
When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." He answered, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about."
Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." But again he denied it.
Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.
Presider: Come. Join those who wander through courtyards, court rooms, streets and gardens.
Join the crowds who have come looking for answers,
looking for peace.
The Remainder of the Passion (Mark 15) is read at this time. Those gathered are encouraged to listen if they wish, pray if they can, and weep if they need.
At the end of the reading, all are invited to kneel as able for a period of prayer.
Benediction
Presider: Go into the world to find your voice.
Listening to what God will do.
Go into the world to find each other.
Reaching out when you need support.
Go into the world be amazed.
Knowing that God is always with us. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“A Beggar King Comes Riding”
*Today’s service is adapted from: “No Answer: Service Prayers for Palm/Passion Sunday” written by
the Rev. Elsa A. Peters. The Eucharistic Prayer is adapted from the above cited source and St. Clare’s Episcopal Mission in Brevard, NC
Rite 5 - Occasional Fourth or Fifth Sunday of Each Month, from theworshipwell.org
Rite 5 - Occasional Fourth or Fifth Sunday of Each Month, from theworshipwell.org
Holy Tuesday: Healing from the Grief that Bind Us
A Word of Welcome and Explanation
Holy Week is an emotional week. We are confronted with our utter human-ness, including the darkness of this world. Those of us who are carrying grief in our hearts and souls may find this emotional week too much to bear.
This service will give us the chance to express the grief, fears, anger,
and confusion that are a normal part of living and loving but that, when ignored or put aside or stuffed deep within, can cause us and those we love much pain.
In worship, we will ask God for healing, and become again, ever-so-gently, ready to face a future sustained by hope and grace.
Or service is divided into four parts
Part 1
We offer to God the mistakes we’ve made, the hurt we’ve caused others and the hurt we’ve caused God by things we have done and left undone.
Part 2
We offer to God our grief over those people and those things we have lost.
Part 3
We remember the works of Jesus Christ in this world, how he, even when felled by hate and intolerance, never lost His way and how He, in dying, defeated death forever.
Part 4
Having been fed with the spiritual food of salvation, we’ll offer prayers of healing, the laying on of hands and anointing for that grief and sadness that simply persists. We will also offer paper and pencils to write down that grief and sadness that linger. We invite you to place those upon the altar where we will hold them until the Vigil where they will be added to the new fire.
We will then go out into the world, knowing that we are, always and forever, loved by a God who shares our grief, weeps with us in loss and longs to carry our burdens.
You’re invited to participate in the service as much or as little as you wish
So please sit, remain silent, weep, or even pace,
as you feel the need throughout this worship service.
The Opening
Priest: Open yourself to the healing grace of the Holy and Undivided Trinity: One God.
People: God’s loving mercy is in this place
All are invited to sing as they wish.
Opening Hymn
“We Come to You for Healing”
Deacon: We grieve for many things, that which we have done, that which we have left undone
Priest: We grieve for hopes dashed and plans unfulfilled
Deacon: For love never fulfilled and for love lost
Priest: For illness. For death. For loneliness and anguish.
Deacon: And for those things not mentioned, those things lurking in our hearts, those things hidden in our souls
Priest: We lay all of this, gracious and loving God, on your altar of hope, your altar of forgiveness, your altar of solace, your altar of Love. Amen.
Prayer of Gathering and Focus
Your grief, O God, is as eternal as your love. You, yourself, weep for us in our sadness. The sorrow in our lives is felt in your own heart, as you always reach towards us in compassion. Reach for us now, and be our very present help in this time of sadness, loss and grief. Speak to us, God; comfort, heal, and restore us. Amen.
Healing from Mistakes
A Reading from Psalms 6 and 34
adapted
Have pity on me, Lord, for I am weak; heal me, Lord, for my bones are wracked.
My spirit shakes with terror; how long, O Lord, how long?
I grow weary because of my groaning;
every night I drench my bed with tears.
My eyes are wasted with grief .
I sought the Lord, and the Lord answered me and delivered me out of my loss, my loneliness and my want.
Look upon God and be radiant, and let not your faces be ashamed.
I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
The angel of the Lord encompasses those who love God,
and God will deliver them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in the Lord!
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and the Lord’s ears are open to their cry.
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them
and delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver them.
We now sing an ancient song of mercy.
"There Is a Balm in Gilead"
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you.
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters. Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
For I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my beloved people.
Hear What the Spirit is Saying to God’s People
Thanks be to God
Priest: We have made mistakes, we have lost our way, we have hurt those closest to us. Ours is a Loving and forgiving God . Embrace this God and be Forgiven, Healed and Renewed in the name of the Creator, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen
Hymn
“Peace is Flowing Like a River”
While the hymn is being sung, the priest will walk through the congregation, sprinkling all present with Holy Cleansing Water. Let the water wipe away your guilt and your remorse
Healing from Loss
Deacon:
God of all consolation, be with all who mourn those they’ve lost. Comfort them in their sorrow, give them Your faith and courage to bear what they must bear and endure what they must endure. At the last may their souls find comfort in your never-ending compassion. We pray this in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
All recite the
Twenty-Third Psalm
adapted by Nan Merrill
O my Beloved, you are my shepherd,
I shall not want;
You bring me to green pastures for rest
and lead me beside still waters
renewing my spirit,
You restore my soul.
You lead me in the path of goodness
to follow Love's way.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow and of death,
I am not afraid;
for you are with me forever;
your rod and your staff they guide me,
they give me strength and comfort.
You prepare a table before me
in teh presence of all my fears;
you bless me with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved
forever.
Jesus Wept.
Excerpts from the 11th Chapter of John
Taken from the Common English Bible
Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus, was ill. His sisters, also Jesus’ friends, sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.”
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days, for he had died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.”
Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.”
After she said this, she went and spoke to Mary, saying, “The teacher is here and he’s calling for you.”
When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?”
They replied, “Lord, come and see.”
And then, even though he knew that we all will, though the Love of God, live forever, even though he knew that on that very day he would resurrect Lazarus, our Lord cried.
Jesus wept.
Hymn
“Within our Darkest Night”
The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. Please take this time during the singing of the hymn to come forward and light a candle in memory of those who have died.
After everyone has had an opportunity to light one candle the hymn will end and we will offer prayers of intercession for the many and varied ways we carry our grief.
The Prayers
Compassionate God, you know our deepest longings and sorrows. Hear our sorrow and let our cry come to you.
Stand near in the darkness, O God.
We are broken by our loss and afraid of our future, overwhelmed by all we cannot understand.
Stand near in the darkness, O God.
We are heavy with sadness and grief, sick with despair, aching with emptiness;
Stand near in the darkness, O God.
We are confused and enraged at what feels unjust. We are frightened to find ourselves doubting your love;
Stand near in the darkness, O God.
Turn your heart towards us, healing God. We have lost our way and feel alone in our sorrow.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Help us to grieve honestly and bravely, allowing our tears to fall freely.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Teach us to trust you with all that we feel and for all that we need.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Release us from blame towards others or ourselves. Forgive us our failures at love.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Heal us of shame and guilt; save us from regret.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Give us grace to endure, and the courage of love in all that we do.
Turn your heart towards us and let mercy flow.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love. Only you can heal us.
Send your life-giving Spirit to renew our broken hearts.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Increase our patience toward ourselves and each other.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Help us let go of lost dreams, and entrust ourselves to your purpose and will.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Use our sorrows to enlarge our compassion toward others and ourselves.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Release us from fear, renew us in love, and rekindle our hope.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Fill us with thanks for the good things we enjoy, help us to notice our blessings.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Help us remember, always, those who suffer in illness, war, poverty, or despair,
and turn our hearts towards their relief.
Save and restore us, Good Lord, by your love.
Priest: Gracious God, renew us through your Love, that we might live unburdened by our grief, to follow in the way of your Son. Amen.
The Peace
Healing through the Nourishment of Christ:
The Great Thanksgiving
(adapted from Alternate Great Thanksgiving D, by Bosco Peters www.liturgy.co.nz)
May God be with you.
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
And it is the joy of our salvation, God of the universe,
to give you thanks through Jesus Christ.
You said, ‘Let there be light’;
there was light.
And your light shines on in spite of our persistent darkness.
For you the earth has brought forth life
in all its forms.
You have created us
to hear your Word,
to do your will
and to be fulfilled in your love.
In the course of time, You sent your Son
to be for us the way we need to follow
and the truth we need to know.
Throughout time, You send your Holy Spirit
to strengthen and to guide,
to warn and to revive your Church.
Therefore, with all your witnesses
who surround us on every side,
countless as heaven’s stars,
we praise you for our creation
and our calling,
as we sing:
SANCTUS
Loving God, thank you for coming to us in Your Son,
Jesus Christ who,
on that night before he died took bread and gave you thanks.
He broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you;
do this to remember me.
After supper, he took the cup,
gave you thanks and gave it to his friends, saying:
Drink this. It is my blood of the new covenant,
shed for you, shed for all,
to cleanse and refresh.
Do this to remember me.
Therefore with this bread and wine
we recall your goodness to us.
God of the past and present,
we your people remember your Son.
We thank you for his cross and rising again,
we take courage from his ascension;
we look for his coming in glory
and in him we give ourselves to you.
And so, with thanksgiving and hope we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come in glory.
Loving God, send your Holy Spirit upon these holy gifts,
that they may be the sacrament of the Lord.
And send your Holy Spirit upon us,
that we who receive Christ’s body
may indeed be the body of Christ,
and we who share his cup
draw strength from the one true vine.
Called to follow Christ,
help us to reconcile and unite.
Called to suffer,
give us hope in our calling.
For you, the heavenly one, make all things new;
you are the beginning and the end, the last and the first,
to whom we bring our songs of everlasting praise.
Blessing, honor and glory be yours,
here and everywhere,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Fraction
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.
Invitation to Holy Communion
The bread of God is he who came down from heaven to give life to the world. Receive this gift, come and be fed.
All who feel drawn to the altar are invited to receive communion. There is no requirement beyond a desire to receive. If you would prefer a blessing just cross your arms over your chest to indicate that desire.
The Laying on of Hands
After being fed this holy meal it is time to lay the last of our burdens here, in the arms of our Creator God. We invite you to recite this litany of John of the Cross and afterwards come forward for the laying on of hands and anointing with Holy Oil. If you don’t wish to come forward please sit quietly, praying for the peace of our world.
***for those persistent feelings of grief we invite you to write those down on paper and bring them to the altar. These burdens will be burned in the new fire at the Easter Vigil***
A Litany from John of the Cross:
“Even in the Night”
Surely I know the spring that swiftly flows
Even during the night.
That everlasting spring is deeply hidden,
But surely I know the place where it begins,
Even during the night.
I don’t know its source, because it has none.
But I know that all beginnings come from this one,
Even during the night.
I do know that nothing can equal its beauty
And that from it both heaven and earth drink
Even during the night.
I know there is no limit to its depth
And that no one can wade across its breadth,
Even during the night.
Its brightness is never clouded over,
And I know that from it all light flows,
Even during the night.
I know its current is so forceful
That it floods the nations, heaven, and hell
Even during the night.
The current that is born of this stream,
I know, is powerful and strong
Even during the night.
The living stream that I so desire,
I see in the bread of life,
Even during the night.
Come forward for laying on of hands now
After Communion and After Anointing Prayer
Priest: Let us pray
Spirit of Life, Healer of all, we thank you for the nourishment of this meal and the comfort of this oil. May we stay aware of your presence, may we feel the support of your power and may we carry the comfort of your protection with us now and always.
Amen. (adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book)
The Blessing
Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for the One that created you has sanctified you, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. And may the blessing of God: Creator, Son and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you now, and always. Amen
Closing Hymn
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”
see insert
Dismissal
Deacon: Go in peace, forgiven, healed and renewed.
Thanks Be to God.
This was a service that used a set of gorgeous lithographs (depicting the life of Christ) that were in the Children's Chapel at Good Shepherd. The appropriate lithograph was placed in front of the congregation and then the corresponding reading from the Gospel was read, followed by the meditations below and then the playing of the song as indicated.
1. Nativity
Pete Read Luke 2:1-7
Cathy Meditation
It was cold, a damp cut through to the bone type of cold. Everything hurt that I didn’t even realize the time had come until it was quite urgent. And so we bedded down in the stable section of the inn. Back among the sheep and the goats, we tied our donkey and the Boy was born amidst the hay and the dung and the animals. I guess you could say he came in the normal way but nothing has felt normal about this at all. There’s something special, something different coursing through this most normal of events: birth.
I’m so very tired. He’s been fed. I will rest before we begin our return journey.
Play: Annie Lennox, In the Bleak Midwinter
2. Presentation
Julie Read Luke 2: 25-35
Cathy Meditation
A return to a sense of normal, that’s all I’ve been longing for since the angel’s visit over 10 months ago. When Joseph and I took Jesus up to the temple for the rites of purification and thanksgiving, after we bought the offering of turtle doves, we entered the Temple with the hundreds of others there that day. Joseph didn’t seem alarmed when crazy ol’Simeon came running over, but I held the boy a little closer, a little tighter. And then I saw his eyes, the wise and wonderful, caring and loving, excited and rejoicing eyes of Simeon, the oldest priest around. He was powered by something more, by something different, by something beyond understanding. He truly was a man of Yahweh, a man of God. His message was one of hope and warning. I can’t shake his words: this child is destined to change the fortunes of Israel forever and you, dear mother, your heart will be pierced.
I can’t tell you what that means, but on some level, I know and I am scared.
Play: Taize Nunc dimittis
3. The Boy Jesus Teaching in the Temple
Pete Read Luke 2: 39-51 (or maybe 52)
Cathy Meditation
These trips down to Jerusalem for Passover can be fun. Our travelling party is quite large and we get to catch up with family and friends, unencumbered by daily tasks. To be honest, it’s also break for us young mothers. The kids weave in and out of our caravan, playing with cousins, discovering new friends and taking in the adventure of travel, all the while being watched over by aunts and uncles, older cousins and trusted friends. Now, to your modern ears, losing track of a 12 year old for an entire day may seem horrible, but it’s easier than you may think. The true horror was the realization that he was gone. How would we ever find him!
It was then that Simeon’s warning really stung. Could it be that, after a short twelve years he was gone?
Yes.
Even though we found him, and he was fine, something within him had changed. And something within me, was awakened with His words: “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Yes, of course, he was not ours to keep any longer. And my heart was, indeed, pierced.
Play Westminster Cathedral “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
4. The Baptism of Christ
Julie Read Mark 1:9-11
Cathy Meditation
The water was muddy and warm.
John’s hand on the base of my neck, strong.
John has this way of keeping you under the water long enough for panic to set in. You find yourself longing for breath and light and then, suddenly youre thrust up from the deep, drenched to the bone, grateful beyond words for air and somehow, some way changed.
And so it was for me.
I barely had time to realize what had just happened when everyone else seemed to fall away and I was there alone, knee deep in the Jordan, with a presence beyond comprehension sending me--laying upon me—grace blessing.
I am God’s Beloved.
I am God’s Beloved.
I am God’s Beloved.
I am. I am. I am.
Play: “I was there to hear your Borning Cry”
5. Become Fisher of People
Pete Read Matthew 4:18-22
Cathy Meditation
We need each other. We were built for community.
Once I rose from those muddy waters I experienced a profound and utter loneliness. God, my Divine and Loving Parent, my Abba, was no where to be found. I’m sure, I KNOW God was not gone, I just lost track, got too scared, too closed up, too human, to hear God’s words, to feel the Divine touch. It was there, in the middle of the desert mirages, in the darkness of those long nights that I discovered, that I realized, that I believed, that I KNEW we need each other. And so I began my search.
I began to fish.
For those who would share.
Those who would listen.
Those who would challenge.
Those who would laugh.
Cry.
Shout.
Whisper.
Hope.
Dream.
Despair.
Rejoice.
I searched for those who would Follow Me.
Fishers for People. Each and Everyone.
Play: God never sleeps: Will You Come and Follow Me
6. The Ministry
Julie Read the Feeding: John 6:2-14
Cathy Meditation
Feed the hungry.
Clothe the naked.
Touch the untouchable
Find the Lost
Free the prisoners
Beat your swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks
Let justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream.
Is my message that confusing, is my intent that opaque?
Feed.
Clothe.
Love.
And do it all in peace.
Play Imagine
7. The Ending: Arrival in Jerusalem
Pete Read Mark 11:1-11a
Cathy Meditation
There it is.
Jerusalem. The journey is ending here. Someway. Somehow.
It will end.
Or perhaps begin.
The walk into the city center is long, steep and foreboding.
The crowds are confused.
They seek a king, but they want a ruler.
They seek justice, but they want vengeance
They seek peace, but at what cost?
I’m not their king
I’m not their ruler
I’m not their answer.
I know it.
They’ll be so disappointed.
Angry.
Lost.
Some say they don’t know how to love me.
Sometimes, I don’t know how to love them.
PLAY: Sinead I Don’t Know How to Love Him.
We’re on the cusp of the tridduum, the most heartbreaking and scared three days of the year, where we learn that love is confusing, painful, curious and absolutely necessary.
Welcome to these days, where the humanity of Jesus is laid bare for all to see.
Wlecome to these days, where our faith is challenged, our hearts break and we emerge, at the last day, renewed, refreshed and restored.
The journey is picking up steam. Join us.
For now, sit quietly if you wish
Flee quickly if you must.
But carry this with you: God so loved US that God came to live among us, to understand us, to embrace us and ultimately, to be us.
Go in Peace.
Play (quietly) Taize My Peace
Maundy Thursday
The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday
Agape Meal, Holy Eucharist and Altar Stripping
Christian poets say that the liturgical year is a wedding ring we wear to remember our covenant with the Christlike God.
The Paschal Triduum or Christian Passover is the jewel in the ring.
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day are three episodes in one great celebration by which we die and rise to new life with Christ.
In other words, immersion in this journey is life-shattering and life-creating, an experience of faith like no other.
Here we touch the very heart of the Christian mystery.
Easter is time for feeling - for looking, for listening, for touching - a time for all the senses to come alive.
Maundy Thursday brings us to the supper table in the dark, but what should happen here on this night – the night of betrayal?
Some, with the best intentions, have chosen to celebrate a Passover seder, but the seder is a Jewish ritual which should not and need not be appropriated by Christians.
The Easter experience - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day – forms the Christian Passover.
Our seder is the Eucharist, with its twin tables of word and sacrament.
Christianity and Judaism have developed into two quite different living faiths, called to reverence and respect one another’s integrity.
For these reasons, an Agape Meal (or Love Feast) is a better choice than a Passover Meal.
***The introduction and the liturgy of the word is adapted from www.perth.anglican.org***
Our service begins in Jewett Hall where, as people enter, their hands are washed by the clergy saying
“You are God’s beloved. Love others as God loves you.”
The Liturgy of the Word
Greeting
Presider: May God be with you.
People And also with you.
Presider:
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
The first commandment is this:
The first commandment is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.
and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets.
Amen.
The food is now blessed:
Over Wine
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You create the fruit of the vine; and on this night you have refreshed us with the cup of salvation in the Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Glory to you forever and ever. Amen.
Over Bread
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You bring forth bread from the earth; and on this night you have given us the bread of life in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ. As grain scattered upon the earth is gathered into one loaf, so gather your Church in every place into the kingdom of your Son. To you be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Over the Other Foods
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You have blessed the earth to bring forth food to satisfy our hunger. Let this food strengthen us in the fast that is before us, that following our Savior in the way of the cross, we may come to the joy of his resurrection. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Meal
Please begin to eat. Chat as you would normally. An Agape meal is about fellowship!
In about 10 minutes we will all stop (a bell will sound) to hear a portion of Luke’s Gospel.
Mother Cathy reads the following
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Homily
Prayers of the People
Reader: Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church and for all people according to their need.
Loving God, on this, the night he was betrayed,
your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples feet.
We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.
your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples feet.
We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.
Lord, hear us
and humble us.
and humble us.
On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one. We pray for the unity of the church throughout the world.
Lord, hear us
and unite us.
Lord, hear us
and unite us.
On this night,
he prayed for those who were to believe through the message of the disciples. We pray for the mission of your church.
Lord, hear us
and renew our zeal.
he prayed for those who were to believe through the message of the disciples. We pray for the mission of your church.
Lord, hear us
and renew our zeal.
On this night he commanded them to love, but suffered rejection himself.
We pray for the rejected and unloved.
We pray for the rejected and unloved.
Lord, hear us
and fill us with your love.
The Presider concludes the prayers by saying:
Holy God,
you give us this meal of bread and wine
in which we celebrate your great compassion;
grant that we may work with you to fulfill our prayers,
and to love and serve others as Christ has loved us;
this we ask through Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who is alive with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Greeting of Peace
Presider:
Christ is our peace.
He has reconciled us to God
in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
He has reconciled us to God
in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
People And also with you.
After exchanging the peace with one another the Presider will offer a word of invitation and those present will move into the church, silently. Once in the church, all present will chant “Jesu, Jesu” while the altar is set for communion.
“Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, Show us how to serve, the neighbors we have from you”
The Great Thanksgiving
(adapted from a text found at: http://laughlinonline.net/PrayPt2)
Presider: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God.
Presider: Let us give thanks for the peace of God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Presider continues:
In the streets,
In our homes,
Here beside this table,
We give you thanks,
O Holy One.
We give you thanks for giving us a story.
Even when we do not understand its meaning,
Even when we doubt it happened this way,
Even when we want to rush ahead to the end,
We know that you have given us this story
in which to live and move and have our being.
We remember that your story did not begin with this parade,
but began when you came to move over the waters of creation.
We remember the tragedies that came to your people.
And we know that you were not silent.
You gave your people a story.
You gave your people a rainbow.
You gave your people peace and
You gave your people a song:
SANCTUS
Gathered here with us now, O Holy One,
Speak to us through this bread and this cup.
Remind us of all the stories we’ve ever heard about you.
Imbue these symbols with your peace
So that we might find your peace within ourselves.
On the night before he was killed—this very night-- by those who feared both him and you,
Jesus ate a Passover meal with his friends.
Remembering your power, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to his friends, and said,
"Take this and eat it. This is my Body, and ours, to be shared. Whenever you eat it, remember me."
After supper he took wine, blessed it, gave it to them, and said, "Drink this. This is my Blood, and ours, the source of our life. Whenever you drink it, remember me."
Remembering Jesus and the power of your love revealed through him, we ask you, Source of all Life and Love, to bless this bread and wine, making them for us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, your Body and ours.
Bless us, that we may be for you Jesus Christ's Body in the world, people in love with you and your creation.
All this we ask in your holy name, that with Christ and in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we may live forever as your people,
O gentle God of power and grace.
AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
The Fraction
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.
Invitation to Holy Communion
The bread of God is he who came down from heaven to give life to the world. Receive this gift, come and be fed.
All who feel drawn to the altar are invited to receive communion. There is no requirement beyond a desire to receive. If you would prefer a blessing just cross your arms over your chest to indicate that desire.
Post-Communion Prayer
Presider: Let us pray
Gracious God, we have seen with our eyes and touched with our hands, the bread of life. Strengthen our faith that we may grow in love for You and for each through the wonder and glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Risen One. Amen.
(adapted from the New Zealand Prayer Book)
Instrumental music
After the prayer, the altar party will move the sacrament from the church and into the chapel.
Cathy and Pete will then strip the altar area of all decoration.
They will then kneel before offering the final benediction
The Benediction
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
Amen
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen
And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide,
be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.
Amen.
We leave the church in silence. You are welcome to retire to the chapel and pray with the sacrament that has been placed on the altar of repose
There is no dismissal today, as the services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are all one liturgy, culminating in the Resurrection.
copyright, The Rev. Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims, 2016
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