MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
Good Evening! Welcome to Riviera’s Maundy Thursday worship service. This is the day when Jesus’ inner circle, abandoned him, denied him, and betrayed him. Open your heart and listen as we tell the story according to the gospel of John and just as Jesus did that evening we will share a holy meal during communion.
You will be invited at the end of the service to go into our Zoom Room.
Meeting ID 829-1129-7119 | Passcode 056833 where we will partake in communion as a community of faith. If you are able prepare a space for communion, light a candle and place it on your table, with bread and a cup filled with wine or grape juice; add any other items (bible or cross) that will make your table a spiritual and holy place.
Let us know you worshiped with us this evening by filling out the Friendship Form located on our website https://rivierachurch.org/ If you are joining us via Facebook or YouTube, please check in or leave us a comment so we may connect with you after the service. Don’t forget to keep checking our main social media outlets, Facebook and Instagram, for up-to-date information, find us @RivieraChurch.
DOWNLOAD 04-01-2021 Bulletin Script MAUNDY THURSDAY.pdf
THE GATHERING
CHIMING OF THE HOUR — Ellen Anderson
CALL TO WORSHIP — Rev. Martha Shiverick
Beloved people of God: This is the day when Christ, our Passover Lamb, surrendered himself to those who would kill him, setting us free from sin and death forever. This is the day when Christ, the bread of heaven, shared a holy meal with his followers, offering a feast of abundant life and grace for all. Let us worship God!
HYMN
CALL TO CONFESSION — Bonnie, Scott, and Lexi Hannemann
Judas, slave of jealousy, where are you?
We are here.
Peter, slave of fear, where are you?
We are here.
Thomas, slave of doubt, where are you?
We are here.
Men and women of Jerusalem, enslaved to mob rule, where are you?
We are here.
Pilate, slave of expediency, where are you?
We are here.
The story of Christ’s passion and death mirrors for us much of our own weaknesses and sin. We all come here as men and women who have missed the mark and are alienated from God and our neighbor near and far. Let us join together in the prayer of confession.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, whose covenant with us is never broken, we confess that we fail to fulfill your will. Though you have bound yourself to us, we will not bind ourselves to you. In Jesus Christ, you serve us freely but we refuse your love and withhold ourselves from others. We do not love you fully or love one another as you command.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God sweeps into our human scene, redeeming all who turn from evil and do good. There is grace, mercy, and renewed strength for all who earnestly seek the new life Christ brings.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION — Rev. Martha Shiverick
Come Holy Spirit, source of all life. As we hear again the story of the passion, let the same mind be in us that was in Christ, who was a servant that we might be free. Awaken our ears, open our hearts, and sustain the weary with your word. Amen.
CHRIST’S PASSION ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
Between each reading please sing Jesus, Remember Me: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
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- JOHN 17: 1-5, 20-26 — Susan Mazzola
Jesus Prays His Disciples - JOHN 18: 1-11 — Barbara Overton
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus - JOHN 18: 12-14 — Kyle Dettloff
Jesus Before the High Priest - JOHN 18: 15-18 — Janet Peterson
Peter Denies Jesus - JOHN 18: 19-24 — Mimi Sutherland
The High Priest Questions Jesus - JOHN 18: 25-27 –– Susan Douglass Quirk
Peter Denies Jesus Again - JOHN 18: 28-38a — Vivian German
Jesus Before Pilate - JOHN 18: 38b – 19:16a — John German
Jesus Sentenced to Death - JOHN 19: 16b – 30 — Rev. Martha Shiverick
The Crucifixion of Jesus
- JOHN 17: 1-5, 20-26 — Susan Mazzola
HYMN
Please join us in our zoom room
to celebrate the last supper
of our Lord Jesus Christ
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Meeting ID 829-1129-7119
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Passcode 056833
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PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Let us pray.
God, we ask you to be present with us as we meet knowing that you transcend our physical distance from one another. You are not tied to time or space and you part the veil between us as we come together to share your holy meal. We know that we are only a computer or phone screen apart and that through this sacrament we are your body whether physically distanced or together. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
At Riviera Church we practice open communion. You need not be a member of Riviera or any church to share in this sacramental meal. Communion is a tactile, sensory experience where we symbolically serve a meal that has been handed down to us from the ancient Hebrews at their Passover Table and adapted by Jesus as he shared his last meal with his disciples. You are invited to participate in this communion in any way that fits your faith journey at this time. Taste the love that we share together even in this time of worshipping online.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also, with you.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God, we thank you for this holy time, when even though we are separated by space out of our love and respect for each other, we have the ability to come together in other ways. You have called us to be your church, your body, your hands and heart, and although we dearly miss our community, within this virus we realize that you call us to ministry outside our church building in the world you have created.
Lead us, O God, by the power of your Spirit to live as love commands. Bound to Christ, set us free for joyful obedience and glad service. As Jesus gave his life for ours, help us to live our lives for others with humility and persistent courage. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until the promised day of resurrection, when, with the redeemed of all the ages, we will feast with you at your table in glory. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours.
Heavenly Creator, we thank you for these gifts of bread and wine which are at my table and also at the tables of our homes. May they be for us a holy and spiritual meal where we feel your presence. May they feed us and nourish us to continue Christ’s ministry of love and reconciliation to the world. Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE COMMUNION
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
God of grace, we give you thanks for the feast of redemption we have shared this evening. As you have nourished us with love, let our lives proclaim your great love for the world; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
After the benediction we invite you to reflect on the way of the cross, the path, the week, the passion and leave the Zoom room when you ready.
