Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Call to Worship Come, let us break the bread and share the cup. Christ welcomes us to the table this holy night.             In gratitude and wonder, we come.             The One who loves us to the end invites us here. Come, let us remember.  Let us recall the story of our faith.             We remember the betrayal.  We remember the fear. Let us remember the passion.  Let us remember the uncompromising love.             We come to remember and pray.  Be near us, Holy God. *Hymn                                         “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”                        Hymnal p. 216 Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we meet each other tonight at the cross as inhabitants of one world.  As those who inflict wounds on each other, have mercy upon us.  As those who deny justice to others, have mercy upon us.  As those who put others on trial, have mercy upon us.  Reach into this silent darkness with your love. Deepen the terror of this night into new hope.  Relieve the cries of brokenness with your voice of peace, that here we may know your salvation, in Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen savior.  Amen.  Luke 22:39-71Modern English Version (MEV) The Prayer on the Mount of Olives 39 According to His custom, He came out and went to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples followed Him. 40 When He came there, He said to them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you fall into temptation.” The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 47 While He was yet speaking, a crowd came. And he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those who were around Him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “This is enough!” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a rebel? 53 Daily, while I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” Peter’s Denial of Jesus 54 Then they arrested Him, and led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant girl saw him as he sat near the fire, and gazed at him, and said, “This man was with Him.” 57 But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 About an hour later another man firmly declared, “Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” Immediately, while he was yet speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And Peter went outside and wept bitterly. The Mocking and Whipping of Jesus 63 The men who guarded Jesus mocked Him and whipped Him. 64 When they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, “Prophesy! Who struck You?” 65 And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. Jesus Before the Council 66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him away to their council, saying, 67 “Are You the Christ? Tell us!” He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I also question you, you will not answer Me or release Me. 69 From now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 They all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You truly say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it from His own mouth. Modern English Version (MEV) The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.