Holy Communion - Maundy Thursday 20th March 2008 - MS Black Watch

Holy God, we come to worship in the gathering shadows
of suffering and death.
We come with Jesus' friends, those who have followed him
in every place and generation.

We come to remember that last night in an upper room,
where Jesus had supper with his friends,
and ushered in a new promise, a new understanding,
of Love in action.

HYMN: On the night of his betrayal

Blessed be God
who breathes new life into God's people

Out of love for God's people, Jesus suffered death on a cross.
Blessed be God for ever

Jesus said,
"If you love me, keep my commandments."
"Unless I wash you, you have no part in me."

Let us ask God to forgive us and cleanse us.

Examine me, O God, and know my heart;
test and judge my thoughts.

Find any deceit in me and guide me in the way of life.
Create in me a new heart, O God, and strengthen me
with a constant spirit!

All God asks of us is a humble spirit;
God accepts a contrite heart.

God has delivered us from death,
our eyes from tears, our feet from stumbling.

We walk with God in the land of the living.

For God was in Christ, not to condemn the world,
but to restore the world.

Come, gracious God:
live in us, that we may live in you.

Thanks be to God.
We are a forgiven people.
Thanks be to God.

A reading: St Luke 22: 14-20

Reflection

HYMN: On the night before he died

On the night he ate supper with his friends for the last time, Jesus said,

"Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you."

My brothers and sisters in Christ,
may the peace of Jesus the Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

Now we give you thanks, God,
because Jesus loved his friends to the end.

Before supper, taking the form of a servant, he took a towel and washed their feet.

He gave us a new commandment, that we should love one another as he has loved us.

He ate the Passover with them as a memorial of his passion.

So earth unites with heaven to sing a new song of praise.

We, too, join in to proclaim your glory, world without end:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna through all ages.

Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of God.
Hosanna through all ages.

We remember that,
when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread,
and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying:

"Take, eat.
This is my body, given for you.
Each time you do this, remember me."

Later he took a cup, and after giving thanks,
passed it to his friends, saying:

"Drink this, all of you.
This cup that is poured out for you
is the promise of God.

Whenever you drink it, remember me."

At this time, we also pray
for people who are in sorrow or in pain . . .
for people who are ill or alone . . .
for people who live with fear, oppression, or hunger . . .
for people whom the world counts as last and least . . . .

We pray
for the Church - for our own churches and their varied ministries . . .
for nations as they strive for peace and justice . . .
for all our families and friends . . . .

Loving God,
grant that, in praise and thanksgiving,
we may so offer ourselves to you
that our lives may be a living witness
to your great love.

Send your Holy Spirit, God, upon us and upon these gifts,
that all who share in this loaf and cup
may be the body of Christ: light, life, and love in the world.

In this hope and as your people, we praise you.

Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory is yours,
God most holy,
now and forever.
Amen.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

The bread which we break, and the cup for which we give thanks,

are our sharing in the life of Christ.

Come, for all is now ready.

The Sharing of bread and wine

Bread broken brings wholeness;
wine poured out replenishes;
time spent with God's Christ
and with one another is gift and grace.

For the bread we have eaten,
for the wine we have tasted,
for the life we have received,
we thank you, God.

HYMN: Where the love of Christ unites us

Eternal and gracious God,
though we live in a world of need,
here we have tasted your goodness
and hungered for a world more just.

Though afflicted by brokenness and division,
here we have heard your call
to be a people of healing community.

Though daily we touch our limits,
here we have received the fullness of your grace.

Send us forth, O God,
in faith, in hope and in love.
Amen

So go and join Christ in the world;
for the love of God is yours to share,
the peace of Christ is yours to extend,
the power of God's Spirit is yours to offer:
and may God's blessing go with you,
today and in all your tomorrows.

We go in the name of God.
Amen


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