This is part of the worship series,
"Grounded and Growing—Journeying from Lent to Easter”
Series Introduction | Ash Wednesday | Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 |
Palm/Passion Sunday | Maundy Thursday | Good Friday | Easter
Leading Prayers of the People During Lent | A Communion Liturgy for Lent
Also in this year-long, Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany
Tonight is a night of tables, tables God has set for God’s people. We gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in a way that is faithful to the long story of God’s people.
Across scripture, as we’ll rehearse tonight, meals are often shared at moments of danger and decision:
- on the eve of escape,
- in the face of desperate hunger,
- in the presence of enemies,
- on the night before betrayal.
These are not meals of leisure or abundance (though of course, those stories populate scripture as well). Today we focus on meals eaten under pressure—meals shaped by urgency, uncertainty, and, yes, hope.
A preacher may choose to exposit one of the selected texts, some borrowed from appointed lectionary texts, others not. But the service plan offered here suggests instead that the preacher join the congregation in listening to a handful of biblical stories that echo the Last Supper. These are meals that carry the same weight of danger and promise, the same mixture of fear and faith.
Between each reading, we pause in silence and song, allowing the weight of the story to settle and its meaning to take root.
Some Maundy Thursday services focus on foot-washing. Others center entirely on the upper room and the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Those are certainly good options. This service focuses on the Table, but with a wider frame. We place the Last Supper within the larger biblical witness of meals eaten when the world was closing in.
These are the stories that form the soil in which our own celebration of the Lord’s Supper takes root. To be grounded and growing on Maundy Thursday is to remember that God has always met God’s people at the Table in all sorts of circumstances. It is to trust that God plants courage where fear is thick, that God feeds hope where power tries to starve it out, and that God keeps cultivating blessing even when many feel exposed, expendable, or forgotten.
Service Outline
GATHERING
Call to Worship
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Jesus gathers his friends for a final meal.
We come to the table he sets for us.
On the night before he suffered,
he took bread and cup.
We come to remember and to receive.
The hour is near.
The gift is given.
We come to eat and drink with Christ.
Opening Song
During the next section, attend to these four gestures as appropriate
- Light the Christ candle
- Lift and place the Scriptures
- Drape purple cloth on the cross
- Pour water into the font
“Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman
Welcome & Season Framing
[Offer a brief word naming the weekly Grounded and Growing themes (see introduction).]
Prayer of Lament / Confession
[Use with one of the Kyrie’s suggested with the Lent 1 service.]
Tonight we come before God with hungry hearts and heavy hands,
with fear we cannot shake and hope we barely dare to trust.
We come with the burdens we carry
and the burdens we have helped create.
Trusting in God’s steadfast love,
let us pray.
[Spoken or sung, Kyrie or Agnus Dei]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Gracious God,
we come to your table from a world under duress.
We lament the fear that is thick in our communities—
fear for our neighbors,
fear for the vulnerable,
fear that power will do what it always does
when it is unchecked.
We grieve those who are hungry and those who are hunted,
those who are forced to flee,
those whose lives are treated as expendable.
We lament families torn apart,
truth twisted into propaganda,
and the slow corrosion of trust.
We bring you our own weariness,
our anxious waiting,
and our grief for what has been lost.
And we lament the ways the earth itself is being consumed—
soil exhausted, waters fouled, forests felled—
as if creation were only fuel for someone else’s comfort.
Hear the cries of your people, O God.
Do not turn away from our sorrow.
[Spoken or Sung, Kyrie or Agnus Dei]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
We confess that we are not only wounded by this broken world,
we are also shaped by it.
We hoard what we have, as if we were saving ourselves.
We cling to comfort, and call it wisdom.
We protect our own place at the table, while others are left outside.
We come to your feast, but resist your command to love.
We want justice, but not if it’s too costly.
We want communion, without the hard work of community.
We confess the sins we know,
the sins we excuse,
and the sins we barely notice.
Silence is kept.
Forgive us, O Lord.
Prune what is false.
Plant what is true.
Teach us to walk the way of Christ.
[Spoken or sung, Kyrie or Agnus Dei]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news.
The God who brought a people out of slavery
still breaks the chains that bind us.
The God who set a table in the wilderness
still feeds those who have lost their way.
The God who raised Jesus from the grave
still grows life out of death.
Friends, hear the good news:
In Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven, made new.
In Jesus Christ,
we are not overcome.
Thanks be to God.
Response/Gloria
“We Are Not Overcome” (st. 2, refrain) Wardell, Heiskell, Radcliffe
WORD
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading
- Exodus 12: 1–3, 5–8, 11–14—A meal of deliverance eaten in haste on the night of escape.
- 1 Kings 17:8–16—A meal of trust shared in scarcity, where God’s provision doesn’t fail.
- Psalm 23—A table set in the presence of enemies, where God restores and protects.
- Mark 14:12–26 —A final meal where Jesus gives himself for the life of the world
- John 13—Jesus kneels in love, washes the disciples’ feet, and commands them to love one another.
Sermon
“The Table is Set”
[See notes from introduction.]
Today we come to this Table, as the people of God always have—
sometimes boldly, sometimes bewildered, sometimes barely holding on.
We do not come to this meal from a place of comfort or ease, but under duress.
We are being stretched in so many ways—uncomfortably, painfully, fearfully.
Our world is deeply troubled.
Governments disappear the vulnerable,
those who speak the truth are threatened or silenced.
Our environment is groaning under the weight of extraction and exploitation.
The church, fractured and fraying, often fails to offer shelter or clarity.
The greedy are emboldened.
The violent are celebrated.
The powerful lie with impunity.
And so many live with less and less—
less hope,
less freedom,
less trust,
less to eat and drink.
And many of us arrive here bearing unseen griefs:
diagnoses, debts, disappointments, depression,
anxieties we can’t name, hopes we barely dare to hold.
But we are encouraged by this:
It is not the first time the people of God have come to the table in such circumstances.
So today, for our sermon, we will hear stories from scripture—stories of meals eaten in desperation and dread.
The Passover: A Table of Safety
This story is about a meal eaten in haste, when the looming threat against your safety might come at any moment and you need to be ready to escape.
Remember this portion of the story of God from the book that we love, found in Exodus 12.
[Read Exodus 12:1–3, 5–8, 11–14]
Silent Reflection
“Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman [Instruments only for one stanza.]
Elijah and the widow of Zarapheth: A Table of Provision
This story is about a small family—poor and starving—seemingly outside the boundaries of God’s blessing, preparing a meager meal with no hope for the next.
Remember this portion of the story of God from the book that we love, found in 1 Kings 17
[Read 1 Kings 17:8–16]
Silent Reflection
“Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman [Instruments only for one stanza.]
The Shepherd Psalm: A Table Set Among Enemies
This is about a meal eaten in the midst of people who have shown no care or compassion for you or your loved ones, people who speak against you, people who have not acknowledged the pain they have caused.
Remember this portion of the story of God from the book that we love, found in Psalm 23:
[Read Psalm 23]
Silent Reflection
“Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman [Instruments only for one stanza.]
The Last Supper: A Table of Sacrifice
This story is about a master and his friends gathering for one last meal. The Master patient; the friends eager and devoted, but slow-witted, cowardly, feckless. He knows that when push comes to shove, they will run or fall away, or turn on him. Death is at the door. He wants to give them a gift that will last.
Remember this portion of the story of God from the book that we love, from Mark 14.
[Read Mark 14:12–16]
Silent Reflection
“Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman [Instruments only for one stanza.]
Prayers of the People
[See “Leading Prayers of the People During Lent”. Could conclude with an instrumental verse of “Ah, Holy Jesus” Heerman]
TABLE
Lord’s Supper
Today we have heard stories from scripture
of meals eaten in desperation and dread:
The Israelites,
sandals on their feet,
staffs in their hands,
go-bags at the ready,
eat unleavened bread in haste,
as death passes over.
A widow
prepares a last bit of bread for herself and her son,
expecting it to be her final act.
A psalmist dares to face enemies,
even as a feast is prepared in their presence.
Jesus gathers with his friends for one final supper—
knowing that betrayal is near,
that false bravado will falter,
that death is stalking.
And still, they eat.
And still, we eat.
Because this meal is not about control or safety.
It is about God's strange and saving presence
in the very midst of danger, grief, and need.
This meal defies despair.
This meal remembers the past,
confronts the present,
and offers a taste of the promised joy to come.
So let us come now to the table.
Let us rehearse how God feeds God’s people—
even here,
even now.
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eucharistia
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth.
You hear the cry of the enslaved
and set a table on the night of escape.
You feed a widow in famine
and keep a jar from running dry.
You prepare a feast
in the presence of enemies—even yours.
You restore the weary soul.
From the first waters of creation
to the deep waters of deliverance,
you have planted your promise among your people.
You have rooted them in mercy,
watered them with grace,
and fed them with bread from heaven.
And so, with all who have trusted your promise
in every time and place,
with the poor and the delivered,
the hungry and the healed,
with all whom you have planted and sustained,
we lift our voices and join the song of your creation:
Sung Response
“Sanctus/Benedictus” (Sung to HERZLIEBSTER JESU/“Ah, Holy Jesus”)
Ah! Holy holy, God of might and power
Earth and all angels praise your name this hour;
Highest hosannas! Blessed art thou, who comes near;
God’s favored Son, here.
Anamnesis
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son, Jesus Christ.
When the powers of this world closed in,
when fear and betrayal shadowed him,
Christ did not turn away from his friends.
He gathered them at the table.
Christ lifted bread,
and when he had blessed it,
he broke it and said,
“This is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper he took the cup and said,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”
And so, remembering your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Epiclesis
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon these gifts of bread and cup.
Make them be for us our communion in the body and blood of Christ,
May we be for the world
the body of Christ, redeemed by his love.
Plant your life deep within us.
Grow your mercy in hard soil.
Make us a people who remember your deliverance,
who trust your presence in the night,
and who feed one another on the road.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honor and glory are yours, almighty God,
now and forever.
Amen.
Invitation
This is the table of Jesus Christ.
It is the table
that feeds people on the run,
that sustains those with little to spare,
that offers grace even to enemies,
that offers abundant life where the ground is thin.
This is not a table for the strong, but for the hungry;
not for the certain, but for those who trust;
not for the deserving, but for those who know their need.
Come, you who are weary.
Come, you who are afraid.
Come, you who long for a different world.
Here is bread for the journey.
Here is a cup of hope.
Come, for all is ready.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Distribution
While communing, sing: “What Wondrous Love is This” Anon, Rienstra using the text found below.
st. 1–2: Use the standard arrangement from a hymnal.
-Spare octaves on st. 1, harmony st. 2
st. 3–4: If needed.
-See the new text found below
-Begin to fill out arrangement
1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God's righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
3 The bread is shared in grace, shared in grace, shared in grace,
The bread is shared in grace, shared in grace,
The bread is shared in grace,
And in this aching place,
Christ meets us face to face, at this meal, at this meal,
Christ meets us face to face, at this meal.
4 The cup is poured in peace, poured in peace, poured in peace,
The cup is poured in peace, poured in peace,
The cup is poured in peace,
Though troubles do not cease,
Christ promises a feast yet to come, yet to come
Christ promises a feast yet to come
5 To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great "I Am";
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
6 And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And through eternity I'll sing on!
Thanksgiving
“What Wondrous Love is This” Anon [sing st. 5–6 found above (which is the same as st. 3–4 of traditional hymn), use arpeggiation and don’t be afraid of getting too loud.]
SENDING
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Faithful God,
you have met us at your table
in the midst of a world that is anxious and afraid.
You have fed us with the bread of mercy
and the cup of hope.
You have reminded us that you do not abandon your people
on the night of danger,
in the hour of betrayal,
or on the long road toward freedom.
Send us now into the darkness of these next days
with courage to follow,
with humility to serve,
and with trust in your saving love.
Ground us in your grace.
Grow us in your love.
Lead us in your way.
Amen.
Closing song
“Dead in You, Lord, May We Rise” Rienstra
Closing Prayer
[Attend to the four gestures named in the introduction to this service.]
God of love and mercy,
Bless us on our Lenten journey.
By your light, call us to faithful following
By your word, call us to attentive listening
By your cross, call us to sacrificial obedience
By your Holy Spirit, call us to repentance, joy, and service.
Benediction
May the God who fed a people on the night of escape
keep you rooted in hope when the way is dark.
May the Christ who broke bread in the shadow of the cross
walk with you in love that serves and gives itself away.
May the Spirit who sustains the weary and the afraid
plant courage where fear has taken hold
and grow mercy where the ground is thin.
Go in peace.
Walk in faith.
Amen.
Bless the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Go in peace…
A sign of peace may be exchanged.
