A SERVICE FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY
Tonight we remember the evening Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover in an upstairs room in Jerusalem, before Jesus was arrested.
At the end of the service we will hear some final words, which will point us towards Good Friday and then we will leave in silence – as we too watch and wait with Jesus and prepare to journey with him.
Songs as we gather to worship
Hymn – I know a place
I know a place, a wonderful place,
where accused and condemned
find mercy and grace,
where the wrongs we have done,
and the wrongs done to us,
were nailed there with him,
there on the cross.
At the cross (at the cross)
He died for our sins
At the cross (at the cross)
He gave us life again
Randy Butler, Terry Butler
Hymn – There is a green hill far away
There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
O dearly, dearly has he love,
and we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander, William Horsley
Opening Prayer
Hymn – Be still
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One is here.
Come, bow before Him now,
with reverence and fear.
In Him no sin is found,
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord,
is shining all around.
He burns with holy fire,
with splendour He is crowned.
How awesome is the sight,
our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord,
is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord,
is moving in this place.
He comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister His grace.
No work too hard for Him,
in faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord,
is moving in this place.
David J. Evans
The Cloud of Witnesses Prayer
The Story Part 1
Hymn – Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times, I’ve wondered at your gift of life
I’m in that place once again
I’m in that place once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life
Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I’ll bow
But for now, I’ll marvel at Your saving grace
And I’m full of praise once again
I’m full of praise once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life
Matt Redman
Prayer
The Story Part 1
Prayer
The Story Part 3
Hymn – Dear Lord and Father of mankind
1. Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
2. In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.
3. O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love!
4. With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call,
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.
5.Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
6. Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, John Greenleaf Whittier
The Story Part 4
The Lord’s Supper
Hymn – How deep the Father’s love for us
How deep the Father’s love for us
how vast beyond all measure
that God should give his only son
to make a wretch his treasure.
How deep the pain of searing loss
the Father turns his face away
as wounds which mar the chosen one
bring many sons to glory
Behold a man upon a cross
my sin upon his shoulders;
ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there
until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has bought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no power, no wisdom,
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart;
his wounds have paid my ransom.
Stuart Townend
Prayer
Closing Words
After the meal Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn and they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, ‘God will kill the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane.
He was arrested and they all forsook him and fled.
Hymn – Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Clint Wells
In silence, the candles are extinguished. The large Jesus candle is carried out of the room, still alight.
WE LEAVE IN SILENCE AS WE JOURNEY WITH JESUS TOWARDS GOOD FRIDAY
