WORSHIP SERVICES

Maundy Thursday focuses on Jesus’ deep love for his friends as he prepares for the difficult ordeal that is coming. He washes their feet, they eat together, and he asks them to pray with him. When we gather in person for Maundy Thursday, our service usually includes a simple meal, foot- or hand-washing, communion, and reflection on Jesus’ invitation to “stay with me” and “remain awake” during the time of trial.

This simple, self-guided service is designed to be done at home, alone or with others, over a meal. There is no need to prepare special food; have supper as you normally would and consider how Jesus shows up in the ordinary moments of life – eating and talking and resting at the close of the day.

If more than one of you is gathered, decide in advance who will read the prayers and scriptures. You may wish to divide them or read them responsively.

You will need:

– A Bible
– A candle and match or lighter
– A candle “shroud” (any small cloth will do)
– Water, large bowl or bin, and towel if you plan to do foot- or hand-washing
– Optional: discussion partners (see below)*

ORDER OF SERVICE

CANDLE-LIGHTING & OPENING PRAYER

Light a candle in the center of the table

Pray:

Gracious God, we celebrate in this evening hour as friends celebrated with Jesus in an Upper Room long ago.
We come from various places bearing the marks and burdens of a bitter and broken world with dry and thirsty spirits.
Remind us  of our need and of your great sufficiency.
Refresh us and make us whole.
Even though we are physically apart, draw us nearer to each other
as we serve you and closer to you
in the covenant of faithfulness and thanksgiving to which we are called. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 13:1-9, 31b-35

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Eat dinner. As you eat, reflect on and/or discuss these questions:

• In this time of separation and division where have you found refreshment?
• Where are you seeing the movements of God’s healing and refreshment in our world?

*Optional: If you would like to share discussion with others while you eat,
reach out ahead of time to another FMC person or household whom you can call by phone or video chat during this time.

SERVING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE:
FOOTWASHING & SPECIAL OFFERING

Watch some of our FMC family wash each others’ feet and hands. Music:  “Jesus took a towel” sung by Andrea Welty Peachey.

After watching, do one or both of the following:

1. If you are with others who choose to do so, wash one another’s feet or hands.

2. As an act of love and service, give to the Maundy Thursday Special Offering, 100% of which will be directed to Immigration Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU) . Two ways to give:

Give online at tithe.ly. Select “To: Footwashing Offering / ISCU” or mail a check to First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (write “Footwashing Offering/ISCU” in the memo line).

Please make or mail your offering no later than April 7 (best: do it now while the song is playing!)

Continuing the new tradition of giving our support to immigrants and refugees in our community during Holy Week, Service & Outreach chose Immigration Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU) (https://www.isc-u.org/) as recipient of this year’s Footwashing Offering. ISCU is a faith based and community nonprofit that operates primarily through the efforts of its volunteers and with the donations of individuals and partners. Those donations have enabled ISCU to provide household goods, food, sanitary and medical supplies, rental and utility assistance and small gift donations to more than 500 families being impacted by COVID-19. Since March 2020, ISCU has made over 12,000 deliveries of groceries, sanitary supplies, diapers, and medical items to an average of 360 families weekly in collaboration with their community partners. Special acknowledgement to Greg Springer for his volunteer service making deliveries and coordinating deliveries for ISCU. We are unable to meet in person to wash each other’s feet again this year, but we do have this special opportunity to serve each other by giving generously to support our neighbors in crisis.

SCRIPTURE READING Mark 14:12-50

Time of silence

CLOSING PRAYER

As the night advances, dear God,

deepen in us a sense of your steadfast love for us
as we walk with you through this dark night to the dawn of a new morning. AMEN.

Extinguish the candle. Place the shroud over the candle and return to use it again on Good Friday and Easter morning.

NOTE: Portions of this service, including the graphics, are adapted with gratitude from the Holy Week Tenebrae Home-Based Devotional from SALT Project, provided through the generous donation of graphic designer Hilary Breeze Rhodes.

ORDER OF SERVICE

Note: All hymns are from the new Voices Together hymnal

Centering chimes Lighting of the solidarity lamp –
Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor           

Prelude – Hosanna, He Comes/All Glory, Laud and Honor arranged by Penny Rodriguez

Call to Worship

One:    In the current of life, God calls us to deep hope.

 

Many: God wakens my ear, and I turn to God. I do not turn toward those who strike me. I do not hide my face from insult.

 

One:    God helps us, so let us stand up together.

 

Many: Save us, O Lord! Bind the festival procession with branches. You are our God. We give thanks, for you are good, and your steadfast love endures.

 

One:    Many shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!”

 

Many: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus, who humbled himself and became our hope.

 

All:      We call out to you, as you call us to deep hope.

Hymn #312 – Jesus is coming (Note: Let’s wave our palm branches together on zoom during the song)

Welcome & prayer Passing the peace (break-out zoom groups)

Hymn #507 – Time propels us like a current

Scripture Video: Philippians 2:5-11

Children’s story
– Song “Let the children come to me” – The children’s offering benefits Crisis Nursery in Champaign. The organization’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to families in crisis. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)

Scripture mashup: Mark 11:1-11 & Mark 15:1-15

Sermon

Hymn #314 – Holy Lord

Prayer of Confession and Assurance

Many: Deep calls to deep. We call to you from the depths of our hearts.

 

One:    We confess the rapid pace of life that sweeps us off our feet into whirlpools of expectations, into eddies of busy distractions. We confess our need for a steadfast stream of your grace enduring forever, saving us.

 

            (Silence. Or name the forces that keep us from deep hope.)

 

Deep calls to deep. You call to us from the depth of your love.

 

Many: Calling us to deep hope. We come to you, God.

Congregational Sharing & prayer

Meditation music – Faith by Mark Hayes
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.

Mission Moment – Immigration Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU)

Work of the church

Benediction Hymn #316 – Ride on, ride on in majesty 

Worship Leader- Pastor Michael
Prelude & Meditation – Jan Kellogg
Meditation – Pam Pena Martin & Pete Shungu
Hymns – Andrea Welty Peachey
Children’s Story – Janet Liechty & Phil Martens
Scripture Video – Shawn Rodriguez
Scripture Readers – Clark & Cindy Breeze
Sermon & Sharing – Pastor Deb
Mission Moment – Greg Springer
Technician – Bharat Patel

ORDER OF SERVICE

Note: All hymns are from the new Voices Together hymnal

Centering chimes Lighting of the solidarity lamp -Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – Chopin Nocturne in G op. 39 1

Call to Worship

One:  The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with Israel. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

 

Many: God, teach us wisdom in our secret hearts. Put a new and right spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of salvation and sustain in us a willing spirit.

 

One:  We trust you, God, to forgive our iniquities and remember our sin no more.

 

Many: There is a time for everything, and sometimes, the hour is upon us.

 

One:  Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, knowing that those who love their life will lose it.

 

Many: “The hour has come. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

 

All:  We call out to you, as you call us to deeper growth.

Hymn #608 – O love that will not let me go

Welcome & prayer Passing the peace (break-out zoom groups)

Hymn #120 – For the beauty of the earth

Scripture Video: John 12:20-33

Children’s story
– Song “Let the children come to me” – The children’s offering benefits Crisis Nursery in Champaign. The organization’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing 24-hour emergency care for children and support to families in crisis. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Sermon

Hymn #636 – Spirit, open my heart

Prayer of Confession and Assurance

Many: Deep calls to deep. We call to you from the depths of our hearts.

 

One: We confess our resistance to being planted into your aching earth, into the way of your covenant. We confess our need for you to plant within us the joy of your salvation, a willing spirit.  

           (Silence. Or name the forces that keep us from deep growth.)

Deep calls to deep. You call to us from the depth of your love.

 

Many: Calling us to deep growth. We come to you, God.

Congregational Sharing & prayer

Meditation music – En medio de la vida (VT #586)
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.

Work of the church

Benediction Hymn #514 – I saw a tree by the riverside

Worship Leader & Prelude – Pastor Deb
Meditation – Pam Pena Martin & Pete Shungu
Hymns – Rafael Luquis
Children’s Story – Janet Liechty & Phil Martens
Scripture Video – Shawn Rodriguez
Scripture Reader – Pete Shungu
Sermon & Sharing – Pastor Michael
Technician – Phil Martens