Oconee Street United Methodist Church
Holy Thursday Online Service
April 9, 2020
Welcome
Prelude: “Let Us Break Bread Together” (arranged by Mark Hayes)
Invitation and Call to Worship
We join a solemn journey of three days that has changed the world and our own lives. Followers of Jesus have been taking this journey since his first followers took it, long ago.
This is the night of love.
On this night Jesus took a towel and basin, and washed his disciples’ feet.
On this night he told them to do the same for others to show their love for him and for one another.
This is the night of love.
On this night, followers of Jesus have invited those preparing for baptism to begin with them a solemn vigil of prayer and fasting until the day of Christ’s resurrection is fulfilled.
This is the night of love.
On this night, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his followers for the last time, and invited them to remember him to encounter him anew, whenever they did the same.
This is the night of love.
On this night, followers of Jesus have welcomed those who have returned to the way of Jesus after a time of wandering and a journey of returning.
This is the night of love.
This is the night of love. And so, on this night, we welcome the penitent, we welcome those who are wandering, we welcome those who are still learning. We invite all to join us in hearing and obeying the commandment of our Master and to feast together, that we may love one another as Christ has loved us.
Come, ye sinners. Come, ye thirsty. Come, ye weary. Come to the night of love. This is the night of love. Christ, who loves us, is with us.
God is with us, and we are God’s children.
We belong to God.
And so we pray:
We are yours, all yours, blessed God,
all our lives, all our thanks, all our praise,
all our fears, all our grumbling, all our hesitations,
all our loves, all our joys, all our passions,
we give them all to you, with bodies, and minds and voices.
Yours, all yours!
Hymn: “Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy“
Comfort Food: A Feast of Love