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Holy Week - Fourth Edition of New Adventures in Worship
WELCOME TO HOLY WEEK AND OUR
FOURTH EDITION OF
NEW ADVENTURES IN WORSHIP
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Dear People of St. John's,
From Pastor Kristin:
Welcome to the Triduum (three days)
The Triduum are the three days in Holy Week which focus intensely on Christ's passage from death to life; from Maundy Thursday evening through Easter evening. It is central to the Christian faith and life as it celebrates Christ's redemptive passage from crucifixion to burial and resurrection.
Although we are not able to worship together this year, I invite you to take time to observe each of these days using the resources below and online.
May God's Peace be with you in this Holy Week.
Pastor Kristin Dubsky
St. John's Holy Week Schedule
Maundy Thursday - Worship Ideas:
*Gather with the people in your home around a meal and worship together using the "Celebrating Maundy Thursday at Home" Resource (attached or you received it in the mail last week).
Click here for link.
*Watch the Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA Maundy Thursday Worship at 7pm
Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA (Facebook page)
Delaware-Maryland Synod (YouTube)
*Read through Prayer and reading included below
Introduction
This evening our Lenten observance comes to an end, and we gather with Christians around the world to celebrate the Three Days of Jesus' death and resurrection. Tonight we remember Christ's last meal with his disciples, but the central focus is his commandment that we live out the promise embodied in this meal. As Jesus washed his disciples' feet, so we are called to give and receive love in humble service to one another. Formed into a new body in Christ through this holy meal, we are transformed by the mercy we have received and carry it into the world. Departing worship in solemn silence, we anticipate the coming days.
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, source of all love, on the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Write this commandment in our hearts, and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
The story of the last supper in John's gospel recalls a remarkable event not mentioned elsewhere: Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for one other.
1Now 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. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then 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. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus 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." 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12After 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? 13You call me Teacher and Lord-and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."
31b"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little 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.' 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Good Friday - Worship Ideas:
"7 Last Words of Christ" Worship Video - Thanks to members of St. John's we have created a Good Friday worship that will "premiere" beginning at noon on Good Friday on our St. John's Lutheran Church Westminster, MD Facebook page
and on our St John's Lutheran Church Westminster, MD YouTube channel as well.
You can watch any time beginning at noon. You can also find it at www.stjohnswestminster.org
Thank you to our members who shared in making the video. Thank you to David Short for putting the video all together.
*Watch the Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA Good Friday Worship at 7pm
Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA (Facebook page)
Delaware-Maryland Synod (YouTube)
*Read Prayer and Reading below
Introduction
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John's passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ's death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, look with loving mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, to be given over to the hands of sinners, and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Read in your bible - John 18:1--19:42
Easter Sunday!
*Before Easter Morning - Create your own "Alleluia" to wave and celebrate on Sunday morning.
*Practice Pastor Kristin's favorite Easter greeting "Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
*6:25am - Facebook live (weather permitting) A very brief Sunrise service from a location to be determined.
*10:30am - Facebook Live Online Worship (Written service link below)
(posted to YouTube and our website following the service)
Taking Faith Home: Looking for a devotion to do together with the people you are at home with? Click on the link below for a week's worth of devotions and activities.
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