Worship

Opening Prayer

Servant King, as we remember that night you washed the disciples feet, may we always be ready to serve you. As we remember what happened on night you were betrayed, may we always be ready to trust and follow you. As we remember the night you came together with your friends, help us to know that you are always with us, no matter where we are. Amen.

Hymn: From Heaven you came, helpless babe (StF 272)

Sing/ Read /pray /proclaim the words or listen to it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4963QPHAIM

From heaven you came, helpless babe,

entered our world, your glory veiled,

not to be served but to serve,

and give your life that we might live.

This is our God, the Servant King,

he calls us now to follow him,

to bring our lives as a daily offering

of worship to the Servant King.

There in the garden of tears

my heavy load he chose to bear;

his heart with sorrow was torn,

'Yet not my will but yours,' he said.

Come see his hands and his feet,

the scars that speak of sacrifice,

hands that flung stars into space

to cruel nails surrendered.

So let us learn how to serve

and in our lives enthrone him,

each other's needs to prefer,

for it is Christ we're serving.

Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)

Let us pray together

Loving God,
Thank you for showing us the way to live unselfishly and unreservedly, thank you for showing us the way of self-sacrificial love, which reaches out with compassion to all who need it. On this day where we remember your last supper with your disciples, help us to remember that whatever we do in your name for any of our brothers and sisters, we do for you. Help us to honour you with every part of ourselves, and every part of our lives. We are sorry for the times that we get it wrong, or lose sight of what is important, or left things undone, and we ask your forgiveness, that we might be transformed in to what you created us to be.

This is Christ’s gracious word:
‘Your sins are forgiven’.
Amen. Thanks be to God.

Today’s Reading from the Old or New Testament Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14

Today’s Gospel Reading: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

Time to Reflect

I have experienced Maundy Thursday in various ways over the years, but perhaps the most significant was the year I was in Jerusalem on this day, as part of an interfaith study trip with students and staff from my university. We had travelled all over the Holy Land, stopping and praying in some of the places named in the Bible as places that Jesus visited, like the desert, and the sea of Galilee. On Maundy Thursday, when the sun went down, we sat quietly in the Garden of Gethsemane. We were joined by members of the community, and when everyone was gathered we sang hymns quietly together. This was a moving experience which led most of us to tears. We remembered together that night that Jesus shared his last meal with his close friends, the disciples, and thinking ahead to what was to come. That night, Jesus served his disciples through washing their feet, and by serving them a simple meal, urging them to remember what he was about to do. The Methodist Diaconal order is represented by the symbol of the bowl and towel, reminding Deacons of the ministry of service to others. This is a ministry that isn’t limited just to Deacons but one which we are all called to in various ways, be it phoning someone who is lonely, serving refreshments at chapel, going out on the streets as Street Pastors do and serving the needy. Each of us has a specific gift given to us by God, and a choice about how to use this. I wonder what your gift of service is?

Take some time to sit quietly before God and hold your gifts before God, rededicating yourself on this day of remembering. If you would find it helpful,  reflect on this image.

A time of prayer

Christ, as you knelt and washed your disciples feet, you taught us how to humble ourselves and serve others. Help us to recognise our gifts, that they may be used to serve others.

Christ, as you broke bread, and shared it with your disciples, help us to remember those who are hungry and in need. May we hunger for justice, and find ways to end poverty throughout the earth.

Christ, as you took the cup, and shared with your friends, help us to thirst for unity in the church, and help us to show your unconditional welcome to all.

Christ, as you were betrayed by one closest to you, we pray for those situations where hurt and pain have been caused. We pray your healing love in to these situations. We pray for our nation, and for those in authority, that they may pursue goodness and mercy.

Christ, as you knelt in the garden and wept, we pray for those who are broken hearted and despairing, that your peace and love may be known. We pray for those who are dying or bereaved, that your presence may be felt closely. We long for the day where peace rules and every tear is wiped away. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father ……

Hymn: Listen to A New Commandment I give unto you (StF 242)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X8m9tVR0_Y

or sing a verse of a hymn that comes to mind

A new commandment I give unto you:

that you love one another as I have loved you,

that you love one another as I have loved you.

By this the world shall know that you are my disciples,

if you have love one for another.

By this the world shall know that you are my disciples,

if you have love one for another.

A prayer of blessing

Loving Lord, you show us the way of loving service, help us to live our lives for you, that we may serve others in all that we say and all that we do. We ask this in your name, knowing that you hear our prayers. Amen.

Original Materials by Lydia Harrison

All   Hymns reproduced under CCLi 1144191.  Local Churches please insert CCCLi No here here3382 / 761 

We are grateful to all the Ministers and Local Preachers from around the Connexion who have contributed to Worship at Home. This resource is administrated by Ministries: Vocations and Worship in the Connexional Team.

For more worship resources see

The Bible (methodist.org.uk)

Singing the Faith Plus (methodist.org.uk)