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April 09, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009 Bulletin
The Order for the Worship of God
Faith Presbyterian Church 7:30 p.m., April 9, 2009
We invite all into a common discipline of silence as we gather for worship. Then we will greet and welcome one another into the presence of the Lord.
Maundy Thursday
Prelude Prelude on the tune “Kedron” Wilbur Held
Thou Man of grief, remember me; Thou never canst thyself forget
Thy last expiring agony -- Thy fainting pangs and bloody sweat.
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Flor Peeters (Belgium 1902-1986)
Go To Dark Gethsemene Newman Powell
Invocation
Hymn # 311 I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord vs. 1 - 3
Prayer of Confession – in unison
Almighty and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; According to Thy promises declared unto us in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; To the glory of Thy holy name. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Cantata – “The Living Last Supper”
by Ruth Elaine Schram
“How Great His Love”
How great His love, how great His mercy, to chose the path that leads to Calvary; To drink the cup of pain and sorrow; How great His love, how great His love for me. How great His love, that He should call us His children, that He should give Jesus.
Simon Peter Monologue: (Dan Trinkle) My name is Simon Peter. One day, my partners and I were cleaning our nets after a long, hard night of fishing. We were tired and discouraged; we had nothing to show for our efforts. Jesus was preaching, as usual, to the many people who followed Him from here to there, listening to His every word. He asked if He could sit in my boat, and I rowed Him out a little so His voice would carry. When He had finished teaching, He asked me to row out a little further and throw my nets in the water again. I told Him it was pointless; we had worked all night and caught nothing! But, I did as He asked. And then, astonishingly—so many fish—the nets broke trying to pull them in. So many fish—we filled both of our ships until they began to sink under the weight of them!
I fell down on my knees before the Lord, feeling sinful and faithless in His Holy presence. Then He told me I would no longer catch fish, but men. I did not fully understand, but I left my boats, my fish, my livelihood—I left everything to follow Jesus, and I have never looked back.
Tonight He tells us that one of these twelve men, His faithful disciples, will betray Him. I vainly promised to follow Him even to death, but He looked right into my eyes and said that before the rooster crows, I will deny Him three times. Deny Him! Am I not the “rock” He called me to be? Could I lose my Lord, my friend, because I am not strong enough to be faithful? Is it I?
Andrew Monologue: (David McKinnis) I’ve been known as “Peter’s little brother, Andrew” since the day I was born. Years ago I left the fishing business to follow that fiery preacher, John the Baptizer. He was anointed by God to prepare the way for the long-awaited Messiah, and now I follow Him.
I love to bring people to Jesus. I brought my brother to Jesus, and have watched him grow and become a strong leader among us. I brought the little boy with the lunch of five loaves and two fish to Jesus. I have even brought Gentiles to meet the Master because He is open and loving to anyone who is searching for the truth.
But Jesus has enemies in high places, enemies who would love to silence Him, or even see Him die. And He speaks of a betrayer in our midst. Oh, please do not let it be me who brings sorrow to my Lord! Jesus, is it I?
James, the Lesser Monologue: (Jim Varys) I am James, the Lesser, known as such to describe my stature and to differentiate me from the many other men named James. Since joining Jesus’ group of followers, I have seen the most miraculous things! Jesus has the power to calm the sea—even the wind and rain obey His voice. Jesus has power over demons—He has cast out evil spirits and gives us the power to do the same in His name. He has the power of healing—He has taken away diseases that people have suffered with for years, even from birth. Beyond this, He has the power to forgive sin.
And now one of these men at this dinner table, one who eats and drinks with Him, will betray Him. How could anyone doubt that He is the Lord, our Messiah, after walking and talking with Him, after seeing prophecies fulfilled, and miracle after miracle, proof after proof? He has called each of us to follow—who could turn away? Is it I?
“Is It I?”
Is it I who will deny Him tonight? Would it be, Could it be even me who will deny Him tonight, tonight?
Bartholomew/Nathanael Monolugue: (Charlie Short) I’m known as Bartholomew to some, Nathanael to others. I’ve been a diligent student of the scriptures and a disciple of John, the Baptizer. My friend Philip told me about this Jesus of Nazareth, saying He was the one about whom the prophets had written. At first, I was skeptical. Jesus—of Nazareth? Filthy, immoral place. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? But John said Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”
Then I met this Jesus. He seemed to know me already, to know my innermost thoughts. Although I have always been a devout man, I realized Jesus was offering something more intimate, more personal than my religion ever offered before. For over a thousand years, we have been celebrating the Feast of Passover, remembering the bitter slavery in Egypt with the bitter herbs, remembering the ten plagues with the ten drops from the goblet. Remembering how the blood of the sacrificed lamb caused the angel of death to pass over the Israelites and spare their firstborn. Remembering how God set His people free. That wonderful story! How they fled with no time to cook leavened bread—they baked unleavened bread in the warmth of the sun. Now Jesus breaks this unleavened bread and says, “This is my body.” He shares the cup and says, “This is my blood. Do this in remembrance of me.”
I don’t understand. What could make me betray my Friend? Lord, is it I?
Philip Monologue: (Douglas Varys) My name is Philip. Jesus came to me one day when I was working and said simply, “Follow me.” I spent an entire day with Him, and I was convinced—this is truly the Promised One! It has taken some time for me to understand that this Man, this fulfilled promise, is actually…God, here, among us!
Recently, thousands of men and women, families, were sitting on the hillside, listening to Him teach. Jesus asked me where we could buy bread to feed them all. At once, I thought only of the actual, physical cost of such a venture—why, our treasury does not hold such funds! I gave no thought to the people’s discomfort, or to the possibility of a divine miracle. But Jesus, oh! Jesus took five tiny pieces of bread and two tiny fish, prayed over them, and broke them into pieces. He fed thousands, and we collected twelve baskets full of leftovers! God, here, among us.
Who would deny the Promised One, this divine presence in our midst? And to whom would this person deliver Jesus—to the vain and arrogant priests who refuse to believe God has kept His promise, or to the pagan Roman government that fears a rival Ruler? Could any one of us forget His power, His compassion—could I forget? Is it I?
Thaddaeus/Lebbaeus Monolgue: (Ron Smith) His hands. Carpenter hands. Rough, weathered hands…and yet so gentle and loving. His hands reached out and touched a leper, and the disease was erased from his body. His hands reached out and touched Peter’s mother-in-law, and her fever disappeared. His hands reached out and lifted Jairus’s daughter from her deathbed. His hands opened the ears of the deaf and the eyes of the blind and mended the bones of the lame. Countless infirmities, illnesses, deformities—gone.
His hands reached out, blessing little children when others would have turned them aside. His hands reached down, rescuing Peter out of a churning sea that would have swallowed him. His hands, blessing and breaking bread, folding in prayer. Such simple gestures, and yet…so profound. Those hands that have shown mercy and kindness, given love and healing, those hands that served me, Thaddaeus, and His other brothers, and worshipped His Father: they are the hands of God in this very room.
All of us have received blessing form His hands. All of us have seen the miracles those hands have performed. Who could betray Him into the hands of an enemy? Will I, Thaddaeus, betray You? Is it I?
“His Hands”
His hands took the impact of the fall when He stumbled as a child, little hands, ever gentle, ever kind. His hands blessed the bread, and the multitude was fed. His hands, loving hands, humbly washed the dusty feet of His disciples. His hands, flesh and blood, yet divine.
John Monologue: (Glenn Sparks) I am John, the “beloved” disciple. Beloved! Loved by Jesus! Loved by the One who was in the beginning with God. Loved by the One who is greater than all of us, and yet washes our feet, setting an example of humility and servitude.
You might think that because Jesus calls me His beloved disciple that I have reason to be proud. Oh, how I have learned that the opposite is true. I once thought that I might hold a place of power and prestige in His Kingdom, but He has shown me over and over that the war He wages is a spiritual battle. He reaches out to the needy, paupers—He does not seek out the rich and powerful. He dines in the homes of sinners and common folk, not the elite. I have seen Him equally befriend a well-known Pharisee and an immoral woman, forgiving both. God has sent His Son because He loved the world—the lowly—me—so much. So much that He does not want any one of us to perish, but to have everlasting life. This Jesus, He is the way, the truth; He is Life.
Even though we are His closest friends and followers, I don’t think we truly understand the depth of His love. I believe He would give His life for mine. How could I not do the same? Will my pride cause me to stumble—will I betray Him? Could I? Is it I?
Thomas Monologue: (Graham Bethel) I have been listening to Jesus speak tonight around this table, and I simply do not understand. Words meant to comfort, but words met with confusion and misunderstanding. Talk of betrayal, met with incredulity and suspicion. Where is He going? There is so much yet to be done, right here, right now!
Sometimes I marvel that I, Thomas, have seen Him with my own eyes! I have touched my Lord and Master with my own hands. I have watched Him perform wonders, change lives. I don’t want Him to go away, not now, not ever. And how can we follow Him if we don’t know where His is going? Is there something I have done or will do that will contribute to this betrayal He speaks of? Has He seen my lack of faith, my hidden doubts, my fear? Is it I?
Judas Iscariot Monologue: (Michael Bergmann) I am Judas Iscariot, the treasurer for this group. I have followed Jesus, but I am growing tired of his reluctance to take a stand against our oppressors. I believe He is who He says He is, but why would God send a Messiah for this—to wash feet and serve bread? I have no need of a “spiritual” king! We need a political king, someone to rise up and overthrow these Roman tyrants! Thousands of people follow Him over mountainsides and across rivers to hear Him speak; surely He could put together an army in no time. Something must be done to force Him to make His move, to lead us to victory, to establish the New Kingdom!
A betrayer among us, indeed. All these men look at one another suspiciously around this table, wondering, guessing, accusing. They look inwardly and ponder their own motivations, but why do they sit here like sheep waiting for a shepherd? Someone must DO something! Well, I have.
Tonight the elders and chief priests will help me help Him usher in the promised Kingdom. History will thank me for this! Oh yes, someone has betrayed Him. Perhaps all of us will do so before this night is over. Master, is it I?
“You Are the Bread”
We come to Your table, to take of the bread and the wine. You are the bread; You are the wine; Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, You are the bread. You are the wine, the blood that is shed; You are the bread.
Hymn # 263 Just As I Am, without One Plea
The Lord's Supper
Meditation “Is It You?” Pastor David Horner
Invitation and Words of Institution
Words of Institution: Matthew 26: 20 – 29 (In unison)
20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
26While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Thanksgiving for the Bread and Wine
Lord's Prayer
Partaking of the Bread and Wine
Congregation come forward to the communion table,
Receive the bread then dip it into the cup*
Prayer of Consecration (In unison)
Almighty Lord: We are thankful for all the benefits given us in this bread and wine, this body and blood. As the grain was harvested and the grapes gathered for this food, so may your church in every place be gathered into your household. And as the grain was ground and the grapes crushed, so may our lives be spent in your service, until you return in triumph to gather to yourself the harvest and call us to the marriage feast of the Lamb. Amen.
Hymn # 311 I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord vs. 4 & 5
“How Great His Love”
How great His love, how perfect His redemption, to provide the Lamb, His precious Son, to die for us, to purchase our salvation. How great His love!
Benediction
Postlude Ave Verum W. A. Mozart (Germany, 1756-1791)
Jesus, word of God Incarnate, of the Virgin Mary born,
On the cross Thy sacred body for us men with nails was torn.
Cleanse us by the blood and water streaming from Thy pierced side;
Feed us with thy body broken, now and in death's agony.
* Cup will have grapejuice
* The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Worship
…is the quickening of conscience by God’s holiness;
the nourishment of mind with His truth;
the purifying of imagination by His beauty;
the opening of the heart to His love;
the surrender of the will to His purpose;
and all of this gathered up in adoration—
the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable, and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.” - William Temple
Posted by faithpres at April 9, 2009 08:49 AM