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The Triduum:
Maundy Thursday
without Footwashing
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
.
The Maundy Thursday service is one
of endings and beginnings. What was begun on Ash Wednesday is brought to a close
here today. What begins today does not end until the resurrection of Easter. It
is the ancient Triduum, "The Three Sacred Days," which lead us to Easter: Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
The theme is love, our Savior's love
for us, expressed in the washing of the disciples' feet, in giving himself in
bread and wine, in dying upon the cross.
An invitation to confession is given. The focus is on forgiveness. On Ash
Wednesday, we began Lent with a major act of confession and ashes, but we did
not receive forgiveness in the absolution. That forgiveness comes now "in the
name and by the command of our Lord," at the service celebrating Christ's love.
The peace is shared after absolution and seals that forgiveness in a loving
embrace, as if embraced by Christ himself.
The lessons of love are read. A new
command derives from it: "Love one another." A song and a sign of love goes with
it.
The prayers are said. The table is
made ready. The time of the Lord's Supper arrives, and our Lord is revealed in
bread and wine as once he "revealed himself to his disciples." It is a solemn
moment, but we cannot linger here. Nor could the Lord. His betrayal was
imminent.
Before we know it, the markings of
betrayal are seen before us. The symbol of Christ in our midst, the altar, is
stripped bare. Christ is stripped of his power and glory. Good Friday is
inescapable. The powers of darkness work upon him.
In silence, we depart without
benediction. The Three Sacred Days continue with the Good Friday service
tomorrow at 7 p.m.
+
GATHERING
Prelude and Silent Prayer
Entrance Hymn "What Wondrous Love Is This"
Instruction:
P. Friends in Christ, in this Lenten season we have heard our Lord's call to
struggle against sin, death, and the devil -- all that keeps us from loving God
and each other. This is the struggle to which we are called at baptism.
[We have shared this discipline of Lent with new brothers and sisters in Christ
who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.]
Within the community of the church, God never wearies of
forgiving sin and giving the peace of reconciliation. On this night let us
confess our sin against God and our neighbor, and enter the celebration of the
great Three Days reconciled with God and with one another.
Confession and Forgiveness:
P. Let us make confession to God.
.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
.
P. Almighty God, merciful Father:
C. I, a troubled a penitent sinner, confess to you all my sins and iniquities with which I have offended you and for which I justly deserve your punishment. But I am sorry for them, and repent of them, and pray for your boundless mercy. For the sake of the suffering and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being; forgive my sins, give me your Holy Spirit for the amendment of my sinful life, and bring me to life everlasting. Amen
.
P. On Ash Wednesday, you began this season of repentance with confession, and you came forward to receive the ashes of repentance. Come forward now and receive your absolution, the forgiveness which comes from Christ our Lord.
.
Those who desire, come to the altar to receive individual absolution, either kneeling or standing.
The minister, laying both hands on each person's head, addresses each in turn:
.
P. In obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins.
Each person responds: Amen
.
When all have been absolved, the liturgy continues:
.
P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C. And also with you.
Prayer of the Day:
P. Let us pray. Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment: to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen
WORD
First Lesson
Second Lesson
Verse: "Return to the Lord Your God"
Gospel Lesson
Hymn of the Day #122 "Love Consecrates the Humblest"
Prayer of the Church
MEAL
Offering: Hymn during the Offering:
Hymn "Now We Join in Celebration"
Offertory Prayer:
A. Let us pray. Almighty God,
C. Creator and Redeemer of the world, we give you thanks that you have loved us and given us the bread of life, your Son, our Savior. With these gifts of bread and wine and our possessions, we dedicate ourselves to a life of love for the sake of him who gave himself in love, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Great Thanksgiving (sung)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Eucharistic Prayer for Lent (ELW IV, LBW III)
Our Father (sung) (ELW p.163, LBW p.112)
At the Breaking of Bread:
P. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
C. We do not presume to come to your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and so to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen
.
Distribution
Hymn "O Christ, Thou Lamb of God"
.
Post-Communion:
A. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection. May this Sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the way we live that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (ELW 387)
C. Amen
.
STRIPPING OF THE ALTAR
Psalm 22 (spoken in unison)
As the Psalm is spoken, the chancel is stripped.
.
When the Psalm is completed, all depart in silence.
There is no benediction this evening. The service continues with the Good
Friday Liturgy tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Remain and pray as long as you wish.