Maundy Thursday – Apr 21, 2011
The church gathers on this evening to remember with thanksgiving the redemption of God’s people. The events of Jesus’ crucifixion took place in the context of the celebration of Passover. So we too remember the deliverance of the children of Israel, and join in the ancient blessing of bread and wine, as the faithful people of God have done for generations and generations.
Our service opens with the festive words of the psalmist, filled with thanksgiving, and renewing promises to pray and keep our word with God. (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19) We hear the account of Jesus’ meal with his disciples, at which he stooped to wash Peter’s feet, and exhorted his disciples (and us) to love one another similarly. (John 13:1-17, 31b-35) And at the time of the Lord’s Supper, we hear a portion of the account of the Passover meal, to be celebrated as a festival, and observed perpetually. (Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14)
Sharing this meal in the context of John’s gospel add a particular emphasis to this remembrance. John declares that Jesus was crucified on the Day of Preparation, the day the Passover lamb was slaughtered and readied for the festival. In this context, we have all the more reason to remember and adore our Paschal Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Choral Music:
- Chancel Choir: “Just As I Am” – Gordon Bruns — We conclude our Lenten observance with the same prayer with which we began it. Charlotte Elliott’s familiar text addresses the Lamb of God, singing our acceptance of the invitation to come, believing the promise of our redemption, laying down our burdens, receiving the abundant love of God.
- Chancel Choir: “Agnus Dei” – Charles H. Giffen — This setting of the liturgical text provides a framework for our prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
Instrumental Music:
- Prelude: “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth” – J. S. Bach — This ancient hymn sings of the redemption of the human race in the obedient sacrifice of the Lamb. This arrangement is one of several organ settings of the hymn by Bach, and this evening Sarah will use her flute to bring in the ornamented melodic line.
- Postlude: “O Lamb of God Most Holy” – J. S. Bach — Another simple organ setting of Bach, this is based on the hymn tune, “O Lamm Gottes unschulding.”
