Westwood Bap�st Church
Maundy Thursday
March 24, 2016
7:30 p.m.
“We look for light, but all is darkness;
for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.”
(Isaiah 59:9b)
THE GATHERING
Prelude Ah, Holy Jesus Bliss
Introit What Wondrous Love is This Tradi�onal
* Call To Worship
Leader: On this night, Jesus called his disciples to gather with him in
the upper room.
People: On this night, Jesus taught his disciples servant lessons, and
as he had done for them, they were to do for others.
Leader: On this night, Jesus took the loaf and cup, shared them with
his disciples in remembrance of him.
People: On this night, Jesus prayed for deliverance, yet affirmed his
calling to do his Father’s will.
Leader: On this night, Jesus was arrested, abused, and subjected to
the taun�ng injus�ce of the righteous.
People: On this night, we gather to receive, remember, reflect, and
repent, for in the shadow of the cross, there is hope.
* Invoca�on Rev. Towner
* Hymn # 272 I Lay My Sins on Jesus (Vs. 1-2)
Prayer of Confession Congrega�on
Gracious God, from the beginning, your hand has been at work,
guiding, helping, disciplining, and redeeming a fallen crea#on. You
established a covenant of promise that you faithfully fulfilled, and yet,
again and again we have forsaken that promise. We are reminded on
this night of the depth of your love through the sacrifice of your Son.
We are unworthy of such love, and yet you offer it freely to all.
Confronted by love, we confess our sin, we cry out for mercy, and ask
for your forgiveness. You have borne the stain of our sin, you have
carried the weakness of our will, you have died in our place. In
sorrow, we repent and wait…we wait for the redemp#on of the cross.
Amen. (Silence)
Words of Assurance Rev. Gray
The L9:; is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in
steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger
forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us
according to our iniqui�es. For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the
east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgression from us.
(Psalm 103:8-12)
THE WORD
Scripture Lesson Mark 14:12-25 Rev. Gray
Medita�on Making Prepara)ons Dr. Abernathy
THE SUPPER OF OUR LORD
* Hymn # 371 I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: LiG up your hearts.
People: We li- them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
PRAYER OF PREPARATION Congrega�on
Eternal God, we gather this night to reflect and remember. We
gather from the busyness of the day and the many distrac#ons of
our lives to visit once more scenes of betrayal, injus#ce,
abandonment, and salva#on. You invite us to this table to break
the bread and drink the cup as your disciples did on that Thursday
evening before your death. We come, as they came, o-en unaware
of their own betrayal and failure before you. Draw us to this table
with open minds to consider anew the remarkable story of
salva#on. Draw us to this table with broken and contrite hearts
that recognize our own sin and the immeasurable cost of that sin
to you. Draw us to this table with open hands to receive these
symbols of your grace and mercy. Draw us closer to you as we hear
again the words of sacrifice through the cross of Christ. Amen.
The Bread and the Cup
We will receive the supper of our Lord this evening by in)nc)on.
Please come to one of three sta)ons when invited. As you take the
bread, you will hear, “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” As
you take the cup you will hear, “This is the blood of Christ shed for
you.” Upon receiving these symbols of our salva)on, please return
quietly to your seat.
The Lord’s Prayer
SERVICE OF TENEBRAE
The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows,” has
been prac)ced by the church since medieval )mes. Once a service for
the monas)c community, Tenebrae is a prolonged medita)on on
Christ’s suffering. The readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, the
music portrays his suffering, and the power of silence and darkness
suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are
ex)nguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death,
captured by the shadows…wai)ng for light to overcome.
* Hymn # 175 “Man of Sorrows,” What a Name
vs. 1-4
THE SHADOW OF ANGUISH
Scripture Lesson Mark 14:32-42 Rev. Gray
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Scripture Lesson Mark 14:43-50, 66-72 Danny and Megan Purkey
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
Musical Medita�on Nocturne Scriabin
Olga Teutler
THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Scripture Lesson Mark 15:1-15 Mark Schiffner
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Scripture Lesson Mark 15:16-20 Ginger Beecher
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
Duet A Purple Robe Wallace
Pat Close and Jim Abernathy
THE SHADOW OF HUMILIATION
Scripture Lesson Mark 15:21-32 Bob and Martha Lee Fugate
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
* Hymn # 291 Beneath the Cross of Jesus
THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Scripture Lesson Mark 15:33-39 Rev. Towner
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
In the darkness, the bell tolls 33 )mes,
represen)ng the years of Jesus’ life.
THE SHADOW OF THE TOMB
Scripture Lesson Mark 15:42-47 Dr. Abernathy
The Ex�nguishing of Light/Silence
The Bible is slammed shut, echoing the tomb. The world is
bere: of both the Light and the Word. The congrega)on
may remain in prayer or depart in silence.