Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
“Maundy Thursday”
April 17, 2025
7:00pm
First Of The Shadows: John 18:1-12 – Jesus is Arrested
Second Of The Shadows: John 18:13-18; 25-27 – Peter denies Jesus
Third Of The Shadows: John 18: 28-38 – Trial of Jesus before Pilate
Fourth Of The Shadows: John18: 38-19:16a – Jesus is Condemned to Death
Fifth Of The Shadows: John19:16b-27 – From the Cross, Jesus Calls Forth Beloved Community
Sixth Of The Shadows: John 19: 28-30 – Jesus Dies
Seventh Of The Shadows: John 19: 38-42 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Prelude: solo piano
Welcome & Announcements
Call to worship:
One: God is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?
All: God is the strength of my life: whom shall I dread?
One: I am seeking your presence, O God.
All: Do not abandon me to my foes.
There are people who hate me;
there are things that control me;
there are places that frighten me.
One: Trust in God. Stand fast and have courage.
All: Help us this night not to fall away.
Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another,
and give us the courage to withstand.
First Of The Shadows: John 18:1-12 – Jesus is Arrested
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Second Of The Shadows: John 18:13-18; 25-27 – Peter denies Jesus
Prayer of Confession and Assurance
One: Let us pray:
All: Spirit of Christ, be with us now.
We may try to avoid this hour of trouble; we may not stay awake.
Help us to face our fear of the cross on which you died.
Help us face the crosses we must carry to honor your life.
Silence for personal reflection
One: Let us continue:
All: We are your disciples.
And we too follow you with confusion and fear.
Strengthen us, we pray,
so that we may walk through life into death without fear;
through the night into eternal light. Amen
Third Of The Shadows: John 18: 28-38 – Trial of Jesus before Pilate
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Fourth Of The Shadows: John18: 38-19:16a – Jesus is Condemned to Death
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Fifth Of The Shadows: John19:16b-27 – From the Cross, Jesus Calls Forth Beloved Community
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Unison Prayer
Ever Present God,
we are amazed that Jesus, nearing his death,
reached out to comfort and empower those dearest to him.
At the foot of his cross,
he called his mother and his beloved disciple into a new community.
Give us the grace and courage to join them there,
welcoming all who struggle and grieve
into this new covenant of love and grace.
For whom shall we pray,
in our world, our community, our family,
under the shadow of the cross?
Sixth Of The Shadows: John 19: 28-30 – Jesus Dies
*Hymn: #196 (Songs of Spirit) – Stay with Me
Seventh Of The Shadows: John 19: 38-42 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
RECESSIONAL: Were You There? – Hal Parker
Jesus is laid in the tomb, and his followers leave him to God, in the silence and rest of Sabbath. You are invited to leave into the shadows of this night.