St. Luke's Episcopal Church
313 Main Street
Chester, Vermont 05143
(802) 875 - 6000
followed by Coffee Hour
Maundy Thursday Service
The Holy Eucharist, Washing of Feet, Stripping of the Altar
Entrance Hymn 445 (The Hymnal 1982)
Presider: Blessed be the God of our salvation:
People: Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins.
Presider: Let us pray.
Presider and people:
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Presider: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Collect for Maundy Thursday (Book of Common Prayer, p. 274)
Presider and people:
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with youy and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The First Reading – Exodus 12:1-14
Reader: A reading from Exodus.
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 116:1, 10-17
1 I love you, O God, because you have heard the voice of my supplication,
* because you have inclined your ear to me whenever I called upon you.
10 How shall I repay God
* for all the good things done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup of salvation
* and call upon the Name of God.
12 I will fulfill my vows to God
* in the presence of all people.
13 Precious in your sight, O God,
* is the death of your servants.
14 O God, I am your servant;
* I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
* and call upon your holy Name.
16 I will fulfill my vows to you
* in the presence of all your people,
17 In the courts of God’s house,
* in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Alleluia!
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Reader: A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn 439 (The Hymnal 1982)
The Holy Gospel John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Reader: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Bruce L. MacDuffie
At the Foot-Washing
It is suggested that the presider and assistants wash the feet of the first persons to come forward, and that those whose feet are washed then, in turn, wash the feet of those who come after them, thereby giving all the opportunity to follow the example and command of Jesus.
Introduction to the Foot Washing
Fellow servants of our Lord Jesus Christ: On the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the Kingdom of God come not by power, authority, or even miracle, but by such lowly service. Therefore, I invite you who share in the royal priesthood of Christ, to come forward, that we may recall whose servant we are by following the example of our Master. Come remembering his admonition that what will be done for us is also to be done by us to others, for “a servant is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.
Hymn Sung during the Foot Washing Hymn 602 (The Hymnal 1982)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Reader: Be glad and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all you who are true of heart. Having been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, let us pray, “Lord, let your mercy embrace us; accept our prayer.”
Reader: Gracious God, you have entrusted to your Church the ministry of reconciliation. Reconcile our members to you and to each other, and then work through us to embrace the world.
Silence
Reader: Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Reader: Open our hearts to welcome sinners as you welcome us. Give us eyes to see others, not from a human point of view, but as you see them.
Silence
Reader: Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Reader: Jesus, you are the true bread which gives life to the world: evermore give us this bread that our souls may be satisfied. And satisfy our bodies with abundant produce from the land.
Invite the congregation to add their thanksgivings, followed by silence
Reader: Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Reader: We pray, O God, for families. Restore broken relationships. Heal those who have suffered betrayal and alienation. Comfort those for whom reconciliation in this life is not possible. Shield those with reason to celebrate.
Silence
Reader: Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Reader: You, O God, are a hiding place for those in trouble: you deliver the oppressed; you forgive the guilty; you roll away the disgrace of your people. We make our prayers to you for those in trouble.
Invite the congregation to add their petitions, followed by silence
Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Reader: Holy Jesus, it is our prayer that you may live in us, and we in you, both in this mortal life and for all eternity.
Silence
Reader: Lord, let your mercy embrace us;
People: Accept our prayer.
Confession of Sin
Presider: Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.
Amen.
Absolution
Minister: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
The Peace
Presider The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Offertory Hymn 315 (The Hymnal 1982)
Eucharistic Prayer 3
The people remain standing.
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Presider: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again. And so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
The people stand or kneel.
Presider: Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Presider and people:
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
Presider: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.
Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Blessed are you now and for ever.
AMEN.
And now, As our Savior Christ Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Presider and people:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Presider: The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.
This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. (Special COVID precautions may be voiced here.)
During the singing of the communion hymn, the presider and an assistant carry the reserved bread and wine to the chapel altar, where they will reside until the Paschcal candle is lighted on Saturday night,, when they will be restored to the aumbry at the main altar.
Communion Hymn 322 (The Hymnal 1982)
The Stripping of the altar follows.
While the altar is laid bare, we sing the hymn below and then leave the church in silence.
Hymn 171 (The Hymnal 1982)
Please take this leaflet with you. Read the lessons again and sit in prayer. Learn or sing some of the hymns during the two days that follow.
Keeping Vigil: several people have signed up to keep vigil in silent prayer in the presence of the reserved sacrament residing on the chapel altar. Whether or not you signed up, any and all are welcome to join in the vigil for any period of time that suits you. The vigil period ends at midnight as Good Friday begins.
NEXT SERVICES
March 29, Good Friday
5:30-6:15 PM. Good Friday liturgy.
March 30, Holy Saturday
5:30 PM-6:00 or so…lighting of the new fire, blessing of the paschal candle.
March 31, Easter Sunday
10:00 AM-11:15 AM followed by Easter coffee and an Easter egg hunt in Willard Hall and around the church depending upon the weather.