Holy Week Worship Service for Maundy Thursday
Rev. Gregory Mech | April 1, 2021 | Holy Thursday Worship Service | Immanuel Lutheran Church – Joplin, Missouri | 7:00 pm
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Special thanks to all who helped to make this broadcast possible today:
Rev. Gregory Mech, DCE Jason Glaskey, organist Betty Lingenfelter, the COVID Committee and Board of Elders.
Holy Thursday — April 1, 2021
RETURN TO THE TABLE
On this night known in the Church as Holy Thursday, Jesus invites us to join Him once again at His Table. He knows our need for strengthening and reassurance. The place in which we gather is filled with the blessing of fellowship as we remember the new command of our Lord Jesus to love one another. Our Lord serves us in many ways, most singularly as the Host at His Table, where we receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. Time and again we are invited to return to the Table, where truly we experience a foretaste of the feast to come.
HYMN “Your Table I Approach” 628: 1-4
Your table I approach;
Dear Savior, hear my prayer.
Let not an unrepentant heart
Prove hurtful to me there.
Lord, I confess my sins
And mourn their wretched bands;
A contrite heart is sure to find
Forgiveness at Your hands.
Your body and Your blood,
Once slain and shed for me,
Are taken at Your table, Lord,
In blest reality.
Search not how this takes place,
This wondrous mystery;
God can accomplish vastly more
Than what we think could be.
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 43:4; 124:8; 32:5
I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
In the Upper Room, our Lord Jesus Christ gave a new command that His people are to love one another as He has loved us. When we look at our lives, we see clearly that we have not fulfilled that new command. We know that we are by nature sinful and unclean and realize that we have transgressed the Law of God in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves and have passed by countless opportunities to be of service in the name of the Lord. In His mercy, God has promised His forgiveness to those who repent and turn to Him, humbly asking for His grace in Christ Jesus. Let us then make our confession to our God. O almighty God, merciful Father,
I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith. In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
INTROIT Psalm 116:1–4; antiphon: v. 5
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because He inclined His ear to me,
therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
SALUTATION and PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your Passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING Exodus 24:3–11
A reading from Exodus, the twenty-fourth chapter.
Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the just decrees. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under His feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And He did not lay His hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 116:12–19
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O Lord, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 10:16–17
A reading from First Corinthians, the tenth chapter.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HOLY GOSPEL Mark 14:12–26
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the fourteenth chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, [Jesus’] disciples said to Him, “Where will You have us go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He sent two of His disciples and said 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 master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
And when it was evening, He came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me, one who is eating with Me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with Me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
SERMON
PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING
HYMN OF RESPONSE “O Lord, We Praise Thee” 617
O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee,
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish: O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need: O Lord, have mercy!
Thy holy body into death was given,
Life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
May this feast of that remind us! O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
All our debt Thou hast paid;
Peace with God once more is made: O Lord, have mercy!
May God bestow on us His grace and favor
That we follow Christ our Savior
And live together here in love and union
Nor despise this blest Communion! O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
Grant that heavenly minded He make us;
Give Thy Church, Lord to see
Days of peace and unity: O Lord, have mercy!
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For the faithful proclamation of Christ’s saving name, that God’s people may be strengthened in the true faith and His kingdom extended, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For the holy Christian Church throughout the world and for all who confess the name of Christ, that God would guard and defend us from the temptations of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For this congregation, its mission and its people; for the ability to meet the needs that arise as we do the work God has given us to do; and for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For the educational institutions of our Synod: for our preschools, our day schools and high schools, our colleges and universities, and for our seminaries, that those who teach and those who learn in them would be transformed by the wisdom of Christ, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For all who partake this day of Christ’s holy body and blood, that in their eating and drinking they may receive the benefits of forgiveness of sins and the renewal of life and have a foretaste of the feast to come, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who have wandered from the faith, that the Holy Spirit would use us to call them home to the Father, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For the government and all who have been set into positions of leadership, that they may use the authority entrusted to them honorably and for the good of the people, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For all who serve in worthy occupations, professions, arts, and sciences, that God would grant them skill and integrity in the performance of their responsibilities and valued service through their vocations, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who suffer from hunger, homelessness, poverty, or unemployment, that God’s great mercy and love would preserve and relieve them, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For all the faithful, that the Spirit would lead them to cheerful, generous giving from the bounty the Lord provides, to support the Church and to help those in need, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who are sick, [especially . . .], that God would grant healing to their bodies and strength to bear their infirmities with patience and grace, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who mourn, [especially . . .], that in their time of sorrow they would not lose hope but rely on God’s promise that He will never leave them or forsake them, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
For those who rejoice in the rich blessings of God, that they may always remember the Giver of every gift and give Him heartfelt thanks, let us pray to the Lord:
Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor, and worship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
PREFACE
The Lord 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 Him thanks and praise.
PROPER PREFACE
It is our duty and our delight at all times and in all places to give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has invited us to His Table of grace, where we receive the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Grant that we humbly and reverently receive these gifts before us, thankful to be joining the company of heaven gathered at Your eternal feast as evermore they praise You, saying:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for before the creation of time and space You planned to send Your Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. He turned to us in passionate love so that we might return to You for full pardon and peace. We therefore ask You in His name to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us to eat His body and drink His blood in true faith until we celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, as You call us to repentance and to prayer, with faith and hope we turn to You, the source of mercy and love. Remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
THE PEACE OF THE LORD
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Distribution of the Sacrament will be by family groups, at the direction of the usher. Children may come forward for a contactless blessing. Once you have received the body and the blood of our Lord Christ, depart in peace.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN “Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior” 619
Thy body, given for me, O Savior,
Thy blood which Thou for me didst shed,
These are my life and strength forever,
By them my hungry soul is fed.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good.
With Thee, Lord, I am now united;
I live in Thee and Thou in me.
No sorrow fills my soul, delighted
It finds its only joy in Thee.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good.
Who can condemn me now? For surely
The Lord is nigh and justifies.
No hell I fear, and thus securely
With Jesus I to heaven rise.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good.
Though death may threaten with disaster,
It cannot rob me of my cheer;
For He who is of death the master
With aid and comfort ever is near.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good.
My heart has now become Thy dwelling,
O blessed, holy Trinity.
With angels I, Thy praises telling,
Shall live in joy eternally.
Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood
Be for my soul the highest good.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness” 636
Soul, adorn thyself with gladness,
Leave behind all gloom and sadness,
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy your praises render.
Bless the One whose grace unbounded
This amazing banquet founded;
He, though heavenly, high, and holy,
Deigns to dwell with you most lowly.
Hasten as a bride to meet Him,
And with loving reverence greet Him.
For with words of life immortal
He is knocking at your portal.
Open wide the gates before Him,
Saying, as you there adore Him:
“Grant, Lord, that I now receive You,
That I nevermore shall leave You.”
He who craves a precious treasure
Neither cost nor pain will measure;
But the priceless gifts of heaven
God to us has freely given.
Though the wealth of earth were proffered,
None could buy the gifts here offered,
Christ’s true body, for you riven,
And His blood, for you once given.
Now in faith I humbly ponder
Over this surpassing wonder
That the bread of life is boundless
Though the souls it feeds are countless.
With the choicest wine of heaven
Christ’s own blood to us is given.
Oh, most glorious consolation,
Pledge and seal of my salvation.
Jesus, source of lasting pleasure,
Truest friend and dearest treasure,
Peace beyond all understanding,
Joy into all life expanding:
Humbly now, I bow before You;
Love incarnate, I adore You;
Worthily let me receive You
And, so favored, never leave You.
Jesus, sun of life, my splendor,
Jesus, friend of friends most tender,
Jesus, joy of my desiring,
Fount of life, my soul inspiring:
At Your feet I cry, my maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blessed food from heaven,
For our good, Your glory, given.
Lord, by love and mercy driven,
You once left Your throne in heaven
On the cross for me to languish
And to die in bitter anguish,
To forego all joy and gladness
And to shed Your blood in anguish,
By this blood redeemed and living,
Lord, I praise You with thanksgiving.
Jesus, bread of life, I pray You,
Let me gladly here obey You.
By Your love I am invited,
By Your love with love requited;
By this Supper let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep love’s treasure.
Through the gift of grace You give me
As Your guest in heaven receive me.
Acknowledgments
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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