HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE
Priest; "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Congregation; "And also with you."Priest; "Let us remember the sufferings of our Saviour this night."
Congregation; "Let us never forget the price He had paid for our deliverance."
Here at Your table
You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.
Here where You serve us,
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.
You who are humble, You who are gentle,
breath taking beauty, life giving touch.
We who are empty, we who are hungry,
frail and unworthy, needing so much.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.
Here where You serve us,
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
But you've called us worthy and able
to meet with You here at Your table.
Here where You serve us,
and here where You feed us,
It's here that our time with You is the sweetest.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.
Holy is He, and great is His glory,
Holy is He, and worthy of our praise.
I stand in His presence amazed,
And crown Him with worship and praise!
Holy is He, Holy is He,
Holy is He.
Towel in hand, God serving man,
here at Your table.
CONFESSION AND PARDON
Priest; "My brothers and sister, Christ shows us His love by becoming a humble servant. Let us draw near to God and confess our sin in the truth of God's Spirit."
Congregation; "Most merciful God,
we confess that often our spirit has not been that of Christ. Where we have failed to love one another as He loves us, where we have pledged loyalty to Him with our lips
and then betrayed, deserted or denied Him.
Forgive us, we pray; and by Your Spirit make us faithful in every time of trial; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
SCRIPTURE LESSON
Matthew Chapter 26, verses 17 to 75
The Last Supper
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Arrested
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. ”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Peter Disowns Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Words of comfort; "On this holy night, we walk alongside Jesus as we remember the unbelievable victory He won over satan in securing our freedom from the tyranny of sin. The events of this Holy Week Thursday continue to reverberate over the world.
Let us confess our shortcomings to the Lord, and ask pardon for our sins. We remember how Jesus accepted the cup of suffering in reparation for the sins of the world. Only in the world to come will we truly realize the awesome scale of spiritual victory our Heavenly Warrior Prince won for us.
We remember how Jesus humbly prayed before the Father, sweating in fear of the impending events to the point of hematidrosis. Jesus was in so much terror and distress that capillary sweat gland blood vessels ruptured, exuding blood. Yet He accepted the cup of suffering that He so feared. Jesus overcame His fear for sheer love of us, and pity of our fate if He did not confront satan's plans through the events of Holy Week.
The disciples, exhausted from the labor of walking from town to town and ministry, slept the sleep of the overextended. They did not realize the enormity of events which were moving forward and would soon embroil them in grief, remorse and sorrow. The aftermath of the heat of the day, together with recent stress, worry and the supper wine combined and they slept. Leaving the Son of God to sweat His fear out all alone.
Until the Father sent a special friend, one of the Angels in Heaven Who had always known how to speak to Jesus to bring comfort, wisdom and counsel. We do not know the name of the Angel - not on this side of eternity, at any rate - but we have cause to be deeply thankful to this holy being. He brought great comfort to a grown man who was so distraught that He wept.
At the Supper Jesus had instituted the Eucharist, the holy sacrament which infuses God's Divine Life into our human beings. Do we realize what an incredible gift this is? And freely given! Tonight, let us thank the Saviour for the supreme gift of His entire being, love and purification of our inner selves which the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ effects in us at communion.
Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, humbly serving them. Let us always remember that the Lord and Master of the Universe of immeasurable Intellect, is not arrogant and proud. He is so humble that He wiped the sweat and dust from calloused feet. Let us likewise love to serve and assist all we meet, in the same humble spirit.
Tonight is the night we REMEMBER. We thank, praise, honor and worship the Lord our God Who brought us out of the Egypt of our banishment, and brought us back to the road which leads to Him.
What a great destiny is ours! All we need do is accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, repent our sins, and try to lead good lives. The sacraments help to nourish and comfort us on our journey as we each carry our own personal cross on life's road, ready to lay it down when the time comes and we joyfully enter heaven."
HOLY EUCHARIST
Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it. He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all of you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."
Priest; 'At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation.'
[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer].
LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; 'Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us.'
Priest and Congregation;
'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 sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, Amen.'
PRAYER
Priest; 'Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ. We stay at Your Son's side tonight, as we ponder the mysteries of redemption. Our songs, prayer and thanks, the bowing down of our hearts before You are the ways we can show our gratitude for the immeasurable gift You gave us in Your Son.'
Congregation; 'Amen.'Priest; 'And may the blessing of Almighty God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.
NOW WE SPEND TIME IN PRAYER AS
WE REMEMBER THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS ON THIS HOLY NIGHT
HYMN
Stay with me
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 2x
Stay here, and keep watch with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray.
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . 6 x
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Not to give in to temptation.
The spirit is eager,
but the flesh is weak. . .
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . .
My heart is nearly broken
with sorrow,
Remain here with Me,
Stay awake and pray. . .
Father, if it is possible,
let this Cup pass Me by. . .
Father, if it can not pass Me by
Without I drinking it. . .
Thy Will be done.
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . Repeat
With thanks to Youtube
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Not to give in to temptation.
The spirit is eager,
but the flesh is weak. . .
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . .
My heart is nearly broken
with sorrow,
Remain here with Me,
Stay awake and pray. . .
Father, if it is possible,
let this Cup pass Me by. . .
Father, if it can not pass Me by
Without I drinking it. . .
Thy Will be done.
Stay with Me,
Remain here with Me,
Watch and pray,
Watch and pray. . . Repeat
With thanks to Youtube
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