April 5, 2007

Maundy Thursday

Preparation for Worship

Blessed Are They

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve:

to give, and not to count the cost,

to fight, and not to heed the wounds,

to toil, and not to seek for rest,

to labor, and not to ask for any reward,

save that of knowing that we do your will.

Ignatius of Loyola

Tonight we gather, as did the disciples, in the upper room with Jesus.  This is the night of his betrayal, on which he shared a meal of bread and wine with the twelve.  It is this meal that we remember each time we partake of communion together. 

     However, "Maundy Thursday" derives its name not from the act of communion, but from the "Great Commandment" that Christ gave to his disciples:  "love one another, as I have loved you."  Christ sealed this commandment in an act of utter servant hood when he himself washed the disciples' feet.  This account of Christ's act of service appears only in the Gospel of John, which we will read this night. 

     It is an intentional act that this worship service takes place in a space set aside to celebrate the community of this congregation and in which we take other meals together.  Worshiping in Fellowship Hall reminds us of our role in the larger community of Westminster Presbyterian Church.  This spirit of community leads us to take our place around one table, eat from one loaf, and drink from one cup.   As an outward sign of our inward love for one another, we will also serve one another as we wash our hands in the basin and dry them with the towel.

     The music through which we worship this night is also reflective of the spirit of servant hood and Christ's Great Commandment.  From the choir's anthem, which proclaims that "God Is Love," to the motet, "Ubi Caritas," to the Taize Song of Service, "Live in Charity," to our benediction song, "Make Me a Servant," we sing about our responsibility to answer Christ's call to "love one another."  We extend a warm Westminster welcome back to harpist Mary Ann Harr.  Mary Ann's offerings will further illumine the spirit of God's peace and love, which is at the center of our worship experience tonight.

     May God add his blessings upon our gathering and on our worship this night. May his loving spirit speak to our hearts and minds as we seek always to follow the Great Commandment of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  "Now, let us love one another, as love comes from God."