Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Description

Here are worship resources for Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday) when Jesus ate his last supper with the disciples, and washed their feet.

Scripture

John 13:1-17

Prayers

Invitation – foot washing

“Unless I wash you
you have no share with me.”

If only it were otherwise.
If only I could present my credentials,
show my record of service,
get some kind of unlimited pass.

In every area of my life
I am more used
to proving how adequate I am,
presenting a polished image,
gaining certain privileges.

But you, Lord,
you bring me down
to where you are kneeling,
and take hold
of the feet I prefer to hide.

We are here together,
near the ground,
and in this humble position
I am touched by you
and made clean.

~ written by Ann Siddall. Posted on the website of the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre.
http://stillpoint.unitingchurchsa.org.au/

Footwashing Prayer

O Jesus, my feet are dirty.
Come even as a slave to me,
pour water into your bowl,
come and wash my feet.
In asking such a thing I know I am overbold
but I dread what was threatened when you said to me,
“If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.”
Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
And yet, what am I asking?
It was well for Peter to ask you to wash his feet,
for him that was all that was needed for him to be clean in every part.
With me it is different:
though you wash me now I shall still stand in need of that other washing,
the cleansing you promised when you said,
“there is a baptism I must needs be baptized with.”

~ Origen (circa 185-254)

The God Who Serves

Though you are God,
with all the influence and status that the name implies,
you refused to pull rank,
and parade your power among us.

Instead, you chose to step down into our experience,
living among us, as one of us,
with all the struggle and suffering
that goes with being human.

More than that, you adopted the role of slave,
washing feet, serving people of no reputation or social standing,
and giving of yourself completely.

As incredible as it sounds,
you are the God who serves,
and we can respond in no other way
than to give ourselves to you in praise.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar, and posted on the Sacredise website.
http://sacredise.com/

Spoken Resources

Call to Worship for Maundy Thursday

We are Jesus’ disciples,
following him even as he moves toward the cross.
Even as he wraps a towel around his waist.
Even as he kneels to wash the filth from the feet of his friends.

We are Jesus’ disciples,
longing to be faithful even as the night grows dark.
Even as betrayers loom.
Even as the powers that oppose the way of Christ press in around us.

We are Jesus’ disciples,
struggling to love others even as Jesus loved us.
We are Jesus’ disciples,
gathered here to worship God:
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer.

Amen.

~ posted on Joanna Harader on Spacious Faith.
http://spaciousfaith.com/

A Sending for Maundy Thursday

This night is our calling to go into the world,
scattered to the ends of the earth
to love as Christ loved
and serve in the name of Christ.
It is our calling to remember,
even in our darkest hour,
who we are.
We remember that Christ is always with us.
And we remember that on this night,
we were taught how to love.
On this night, eternity begins
and the fullness of God’s Reign begins to spill into our lives.
So go into the world to give yourself for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Go into the world and love
in the name of the One who loved you until the end.
It all begins and ends and begins again with Love.
That IS the story.

Amen.

~ written by Rev. Shelli Williams. Posted on the website of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas.
http://www.stpaulshouston.org/

Songs

Contemporary Hymn: My Lord, You Wore No Royal Crown

Worship Together #319

My Lord you wore no royal crown
You did not wield the powers of state
Nor did You need a scholar's gown
Or priestly robe to make You great

You never used a killer's sword
To end an unjust tyranny
Your only weapon was Your word
For truth alone could set us free

You did not live a world away
In hermit's cell or desert cave
But felt our pain and shared each day
With those You came to seek and save

You made no mean or cunning move
Chose no unworthy compromise
But carved a track of burning love
Through tangles of deceit and lies

You came unequalled undeserved
To be what I was meant to be
You came to serve not to be served
A light for all the world to see

So when I stumble set me right
Command my life as You require
Let all Your gifts be my delight
And You my Lord my one desire

Tune suggestions:
QUEBEC (“Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts”)
LAMB OF GOD (“Your only Son, no sin to hide” Twila Paris)

Contemporary Hymn: Christ, grant me grace to let you wash my feet

Christ, grant me grace to let you wash my feet,
and washed, to let them stand or walk or run;
as over mountain, desert, city street,
they bring good news - unlikely victory won.

Christ, grant me grace to wash another’s feet,
and count it cause of neither shame nor boast
nor think some merit makes my work complete
since those forgiven most will love the most.

Christ, grant me grace to follow and believe
in you who loved me to the bitter end;
learn to receive you, as I shall receive
those you have sent, and those you will yet send.

Christ, grant me grace to live, obey and love,
sent to your world, commanded by your word:
content if you direct my every move,
your name be known, your kingly voice be heard.

Tune suggestions:
ELLERS (“Saviour, again to your dear name we raise”)
MORECAMBE (“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart”)
TOULON (“Lord of all good”)

Contemporary Song: Love One Another

Love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us:
this is my new commandment.

A full score, including flute accompaniment, is available in a collection of Resources for Maundy Thursday from the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA). Scroll down to the last page of the PDF.
http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/resources_for_maundy_thursday.pdf

Contemporary Song: All the Room was Hushed and Still

All the room was hushed and still
And when the bowl was filled
He stooped to wash their feet
And when it was complete
He said this is what
I'm asking you to do
This is why I'm kneeling here beside you
This is what I want my church to be
This is what I want the world to see
Who it is you follow

Love each other, one another
Love each other in the way
That I have loved you
Walk together and whatever comes
Love each other in the way
That I have loved you

Let the room be hushed and still
Let us go to where He kneels
And join Him as He serves
And learn His ways of love
He said this is what
I'm asking you to do
This is why I'm kneeling here beside you
This is what I want my church to be
This is what I want the world to see
Who it is you follow

Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MblrWZDpPQ

Contemporary Song: Humble King

Oh kneel me down again
Here at Your feet
Show me how much You love
Humility
Oh Spirit be the star
That leads me to
The humble heart of love
I see in You

'Cos You are the God of the broken
The friend of the weak
You wash the feet of the weary
Embrace the ones in need
I want to be like You Jesus
To have this heart in me
You are the God of the humble
You are the humble King

Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEx1FMt5DTI

Images

~ Christ Washing Peter’s Feet, Ford Maddox Brown, 1851

Notes

This worship resource was created/compiled by Christine Longhurst. You are welcome to use it free of charge, and where appropriate, please note the source. If you are printing any of the resources for distribution, please print the source as well. The content of the worship resource does not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, which oversees the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. For more worship resources by Christine Longhurst, see http://www.re-worship.blogspot.ca or http://www.faithmatters.ca.

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