Online Maundy Thursday Service (April 9) Athens First UMC

Welcome to our April 9 (Maundy Thursday) online worship @ Athens First UMC!

2 S. College St., Athens, OH 45701

Greeting From Pastor Robert

Call to Worship

L:  Return to the Lord, God of all mercies, for a feast of love has been prepared for his own.

P:  I will bless the Lord at all times.  His praise shall be continually in my mouth.

L:  O taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

P:  Happy are they who take refuge in God.

L:  O magnify the Lord with me,

P:  And let us exalt God’s name together.

Hymn                      Because Thou Hast Said

[This Charles Wesley hymn might not be as familiar as some of his other hymns but the melody is simple and easy to sing. His lyrics describe the mystical meaning of the Sacrament of Holy Communion which is our focus on this Maundy Thursday as we remember when Jesus was gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper.]

Welcome & Passing the Peace

[We are invited to share the words, “the peace of Christ be with you” to those who may be worshiping with us for this online service. If you are worshiping alone, know that the peace of Christ is with you on this Maundy Thursday.]

Prayer of Confession & Words of Assurance

L:  My sisters and brothers, Christ shows us his love by becoming a humble servant.  

Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God's Spirit.  

 

[A brief silence for individual confession.]

 

All:  Most merciful God, 

we your Church confess 

that often our spirit has not been that of Christ.  

Where we have failed to love one another as he loves us, 

where we have pledged loyalty to him with our lips

and then betrayed, deserted, or denied him, forgive us, we pray;

and by your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

L:  Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ.

But Christ suffered and died for us,

was raised from the dead and ascended on high for us,

and continues to intercede for us.

Believe the good news:

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

 

All:  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God.  Amen.

New Testament Lesson - I Corinthians 11:23-26

[The Apostle Paul is informing the Corinthians Christian of why the Lord’s Supper is such an important meal.]

Gospel Lesson - John 13:1-17, 31b-35

[During the Last Supper, it is revealed that Judas Iscariot is the one who was about to betray Jesus.]

Special Music     Is it I, Lord? (from Shadows) -- Douglas E. Wagner

     Duet: Cathy & Jack Bigger

        

                                                         

Sermon    A Very Unique Meal   Rev. Robert McDowell  

                                                                

Hymn                Let Us Break Bread Together   

     

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

[Toward the end of the video, Pastor Robert will invite us to partake of the bread and the juice.]

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We thank you, holy God, for giving us this meal, shared in the Spirit, which sustains us with the food and drink of your life.  Grace our lives that we may at the last come to share in the heavenly banquet of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.                  

Benediction

L: May God’s peace be with us this holy night and remain with us until we meet again.

All: Amen.

Join us back here for our online Good Friday service (April 10) and for our Easter Sunday worship celebration (April 12.)

[For previous online worship services, click here]