Scripture for Maundy Thursday- April 1, 2021 – Maundy Thursday
Introduction
This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ’s last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
Summary: Israel remembered its deliverance from slavery in Egypt by celebrating the festival of Passover. This festival featured the Passover lamb, whose blood was used as a sign to protect God’s people from the threat of death. The early church described the Lord’s supper using imagery from the Passover, especially in portraying Jesus as the lamb who delivers God’s people from sin and death.
Summary: I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Ps. 116:13)
Summary: In the bread and cup of the Lord’s supper, we experience intimate fellowship with Christ and with one another because it involves his body given for us and the new covenant in his blood. Faithful participation in this meal is a living proclamation of Christ’s death until he comes in the future.
Summary: The story of the last supper in John’s gospel recalls a remarkable event not mentioned elsewhere: Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for one another.
Scripture for Good Friday – April 2, 2021 – Good Friday
Introduction
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.
Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Summary: The fourth servant poem promises ultimate vindication for the servant, who made his life an offering for sin. The servant pours himself out to death and is numbered with the transgressors, images that the early church saw as important keys for understanding the death of Jesus.
Psalm 22
Summary: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Ps. 22:1)
Hebrews 10:16-25
Summary: In the death of Jesus, forgiveness of sins is accomplished and access to God is established. Hence, when we gather together for worship and when we love others, we experience anew the benefits of Jesus’ death.
John 18:1–19:42
Summary: On Good Friday, the story of Jesus’ passion—from his arrest to his burial—is read in its entirety from the Gospel of John.
Theme for the season of Lent
We are saved by your Grace; make us alive in your Spirit.
We approach the season of Lent as a time of reflection and repentance, anticipating the renewal and rejoicing of Easter morning at the end of this forty-day season. We approach the throne with humility, fully reliant on the gift of God’s grace. We journey together, walking with Jesus on the road to the cross.
We are reminded that God comes to us in the midst of darkness and shadow, at the moment we are most heavily burdened by sorrow, despair, and hopelessness. God lifts us up, shoulders our burdens, and shows us the limitless depth of grace. We arise in hopefulness and raise our eyes to the cross, remembering the enormity of love and sacrifice that Jesus showed all humankind.
Our worship theme for this Lenten season is a two-part prayer, spoken directly to God. From our hearts to God’s, we recognize that we are saved by God’s grace. God reached out to us in our darkness and showed us the light of the world. Grace is truly a gift, given freely. Nothing we have done has earned this great gift.
The second part of the worship theme is a request to help us respond to the gift of grace. We ask God to make us alive in the Spirit. In this request, we demonstrate our understanding that life is a gift from God, and that God continually makes us alive and helps us grow into the kingdom servants we are called to become.
As we worship during this Lenten season, please join our fervent prayer:
We are saved by your Grace; make us alive in your Spirit.