Sunday Bulletin
THE VIGIL OF MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 6, 2023 7:00 PM
TENEBRAE SERVICE WITH HOLY COMMUNION
This is an adaptation of an early Fourth Century Office to which has been added a solemn observance of the Holy Communion.
The Communion table is set with bread, wine, and eight candles around the perimeter (one candle for each reader). A ninth candle, the Christ candle, is in the center of the table.
The church is dimly lighted throughout the service and, at the last, is in darkness. The gradual extinguishing of the lights is symbolic of the flight of the disciples, and the Passion of our Lord.
The silence rule is rigidly observed – NO conversation or greetings, other than the silent recognition of friends. The service is phrased in words of Scripture, without comment. The hymn stanzas, which are sung softly preferably by the choir alone, will interpret the devotional significance of the Passion – from the Hour of fellowship in the Upper Room to the Hour of Loneliness in the Garden.
Note: As each Reader reads the part assigned, he or she extinguishes the nearest light. Just after the final intercession, the Minister extinguishes the Christ candle, in solidarity how Jesus’ first followers felt. After the bell has rung 33 times, commemorating Jesus’ earthly life, readers will leave first followed by the congregation in silence.
I – THE MINISTRY OF MEDITATION
ORGAN PRELUDE: "O Dearest Jesus, What Law Has Thou Broken?" Walcha
(All read silently)
Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free spirit. I will go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy.
INTROIT:
II – THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UPPER ROOM
THE HYMN OF APPROACH “Here at Thy Table, Lord” #384
Here at thy table, Lord, this sacred hour; O let us feel Thee near,
in loving power; calling our thoughts away from self and sin,
as to thy banquet hall we enter in.
Sit at the feast, dear Lord, break thou the bread; fill thou the cup that
brings life to the dead; that we may find in thee, pardon and peace;
and from all bondage win a full release.
Come then, O holy Christ, free us, we pray; touch with thy pierced hand
each common day; making this earthly life full of thy grace,
till in the home of heaven we find our place.
JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES’ FEET John 13:3-10
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
HYMN: “In Remembrance of Me” #403
In remembrance of me, eat this bread. In remembrance of me, drink this wine. In remembrance of me, pray for the time when God’s own will is done.
In remembrance of me, heal the sick. In remembrance of me, feed the poor. In remembrance of me, open the door and let your neighbor in, let them in. Take, eat, and be comforted; drink and remember too. That this is my body and precious blood shed for you, shed for you.
In remembrance of me, search for truth. In remembrance of me, always love. In remembrance of me, don’t look above, but in your heart look for God. Do this in remembrance of me.
HAND WASHING AND HOLY COMMUNION
(Congregation will process down the right side aisle for hand washing,
drying and then receive communion (dip bread into cup), anointing of
hands, departing down the left side aisle and return to your seats.)
III – THE EXTINGUISHING OF LIGHT
(Each reader will offer an assigned passage. At the conclusion of the reading, the reader will extinguish the nearest candle.)
THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL: Matthew 26:20-25 1st Reader
THE SHADOW OF THE DESERTION: Matthew 26:31-35 2nd Reader
HYMN: “An Upper Room with Evening Lamps Ashine” (verses 1 & 3) #428
An upper room with evening lamps ashine, the twelve disciples, and the table spread; now in our turn Christ bids us pour the wine, and in remembrance bless and break the bread.
Dead for our sins, yet reigning now above; still to our hearts we find His presence given; take for ourselves the pledges of His love, foretaste and token of that feast in heaven.
THE AGONY OF THE SOUL: Luke 22:39-44 3rd Reader
THE UNSHARED VIGIL: Mark 14:32-41 4th Reader
HYMN: “’Tis Midnight, and on Olive’s Brow” (verses 1, 2 & 3) #194
“Tis midnight, and on Olive’s brow the star is dimmed that lately shone;
‘tis midnight, in the garden now the suffering Savior prays alone.
“Tis midnight, and from all removed, the Savior wrestles lone with fears;
e’en that disciple whom he loved heeds not the Savior’s grief and tears.
“Tis midnight, and, for others’ guilt, the Man of Sorrows weeps in blood;
yet he that has in anguish knelt is not forsaken by his God.
“FATHER, THE HOUR IS COME”: John 17:1-6 5th Reader
“THAT THEY MAY BE ONE”: John 17:15-22 6th Reader
HYMN: “Go to Dark Gethsemane” (verses 1, 2 & 3) #196
Go to dark Gethsemane, all who feel the tempter’s pow’r; your Redeemer’s conflict see, watch with him one bitter hour; turn not from His griefs away; learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
Follow to the judgment hall; view the Lord of life arraigned, O the wormwood and the gall! O the pangs his soul sustained! Shun not suff’ring, shame, or loss; learn of him to bear the cross.
Calv’ry’s mournful mountain climb; there, adoring at his feet, mark that miracle of time, God’s own sacrifice complete: “It is finished!” Hear the cry; learn of Jesus Christ to die.
THE ARREST AT THE GATE: John 18:1-5 7th Reader
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS: Mark 15:16-20 8th Reader
ANTHEM:
PASTORAL PRAYER
HYMN: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (verses 1 & 4) #195
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour my contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
INTERCESSION: The Lord’s Prayer (in unison, use debts)
(After the bell has rung 33 times, commemorating Jesus’ earthly life, readers will leave first followed by the congregation in silence. )