FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
North Attleborough, MA
MAUNDY THURSDAY
April 6, 2023
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Welcome to the Oldtown Church!
We are so glad that you have chosen to worship with us this evening. We invite you to join in on the bold print in the bulletin. The restrooms are out the back door of the sanctuary to the right, as is the nursery in case your little one needs a walkabout. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and please remember to mute your devices during worship.
PRELUDE
WELCOME
OPENING WORDS
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
On the night of His betrayal and arrest, Jesus gathered with his disciples around a table. As they were eating, He took a loaf of bread and said to them,
“Take, eat, for this is my body, broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the meal was complete, He took the cup of wine and said to them,
“Drink this all of you for this is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of Me.”
SONG OF PREPARATION
THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL—Judas
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Tis Midnight and on Olive’s Brow,
The star is dimmed that lately shown.
Tis midnight in the garden now.
The suffering Savior prays alone.
THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY—Salome (the mother of James and John)
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Tis Midnight and from all removed,
The Savior wrestles lone with fears.
E’en that disciple whom he loved
Heeds not the Savior’s grief and tears.
THE SHADOW OF DESERTION—John
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Tis Midnight and from heavenly plains
Is borne the song that angels know.
Unheard by mortals are the strains
That gently soothe the Savior’s woe.
THE SHADOW OF DENIAL—Peter
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION—Mary Magdalene
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY—Thomas
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
THE SHADOW OF DEATH—Mary (The mother of Jesus)
RESPONSE: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
SUNG RESPONSE:
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
MARY CONTINUES
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
And so, Lord Jesus, we come to Your table, confessing the darkness within us. We come simply because You are merciful, and You have filled our hearts with Light. We come to eat this bread and to drink this cup, that we might be changed. Let Your Presence, which fills us through this meal, cast out all shadows, and keep us in Your light forever. Amen.
You are invited to come forward to receive communion by taking a piece of the bread, dipping it in the cup, and eating it. Please know that all our bread is gluten-free, and our cup contains simple grape juice because we don’t want anyone to be turned away for any reason. Once you have received communion, you may leave the sanctuary in silence.