Maundy Thursday

The Procession

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as the sacred ministers enter and the introit hymn is sung.

We hail thy presence glorious,
O Christ our great High Priest,
o’er sin and death victorious,
at thy thanksgiving feast:
as thou art interceding
for us in heav’n above,
thy Church on earth is pleading
thy perfect work of love.

Through thee in ev’ry nation
thine own their hearts upraise,
off’ring one pure oblation,
one sacrifice of praise:
with thee in blest communion
the living and the dead
are joined in closest union,
one Body with one Head.

O living bread from heaven,
Jesu, our Saviour good,
who thine own self hast given
to be our souls’ true food;
for us thy body broken
hung on the cross of shame:
this bread its hallowed token
we break in thy dear name.

O stream of love unending,
poured from the one true vine,
with our weak nature blending
the strength of life divine;
our thankful faith confessing
in thy life-blood outpoured,
we drink this cup of blessing
and praise thy name, O Lord.

The Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you

and also with you.

Brothers and sisters, on this most holy night we enter into the three days of the celebration of our Lord’s paschal victory, his death and resurrection.

Those of our community who are to be baptised this Eastertide will be made one with Christ, dying to sin and rising to newness of life in him.

Earlier today at the Chrism Mass, our Bishop, Nick, blessed oils to be used in the coming year. These are set apart for the sacramental life of our parish.

Three members of the congregation bring forward the oils.

The oil of the sick.

By the laying on of hands and anointing with this oil, and with the prayerful support of this community, may those who are sick experience the healing presence of Christ.

Amen.

The oil of baptism.

Anointed with this oil, and assisted by the example of this community, may those who are to be baptised know that Christ calls them by name and makes them his own and shares with them his victory over sin and the power of evil.

Amen.

The oil of chrism.

Anointed with this fragrant oil, may all who are baptised and confirmed, all who are ordained to the service of God’s people, and this community whose house of prayer is dedicated to God’s glory, fill the world with the sweet fragrance of Christ’s gospel and be built up as living stones into a temple filled with the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn

The hymn continues:

May we, thy word believing,
thee through thy gifts receive,
that, thou within us living,
we all to God may live;
draw us from earth to heaven
till sin and sorrow cease,
forgiving and forgiven,
in love and joy and peace.

Words: Richard Godfrey Parsons (1882-1948)
 Music: melody adapted from Michael Haydn (1737-1806)
 Hymn Tune: OFFERTORIUM

Prayers of Penitence

Our Lord Jesus says:

‘If you love me, keep my commandments.
 Unless I wash you, you have no part in me’

Let us confess to almighty God
our sins against his love,
and ask him to cleanse us.

Have mercy on us, O God,
in your great goodness;
according to the abundance of your compassion
blot out our offences.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Against you only have we sinned
and done what is evil in your sight.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Purge us from our sin and we shall be clean;
wash us and we shall be whiter than snow.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May the Father forgive us
by the death of his Son
and strengthen us
to live in the power of the Spirit
all our days.

Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father.
We worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray that we may love one another as Christ has loved us.’

God our Father,
you have invited us to share in the supper
which your Son gave to his Church
to proclaim his death until he comes:
may he nourish us by his presence,
and unite us in his love;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please sit.

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11.23-26

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. During the hymn a procession will make its way to the centre of the nave from where the Gospel for the day is read. To symbolise our desire to turn to Christ in our daily lives, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

An upper room did our Lord prepare
for those he loved until the end:
and his disciples still gather there,
to celebrate their risen friend.

A lasting gift Jesus gave his own:
to share his bread, his loving cup.
whatever burdens may bow us down,
he by his cross shall lift us up.

And after supper he washed their feet
for service too, is sacrament.
In him our joy shall be made complete –
sent out to serve, as he was sent.

No end there is! We depart in peace,
he loves beyond our uttermost:
in ev’ry room in our Father’s house
he will be there, as Lord and host.

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
 Music: Somerset folk song
 collected by Cecil Sharp (1859-1924)
 arranged by Noel Tredinnick (b. 1949)
 Hymn Tune: O WALY WALY

Gospel Reading

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
Love one another as I have loved you.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

John 13. 1-17, 31b-35

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, O Christ.

Reflection

People of the Passion: Peter

Please sit.

The Washing of Feet

The president washes the feet of some members of the congregation. Those people who have agreed to have their feet washed move to the Holy Trinity Chapel as the Choir sings the anthem ‘A new commandment’.

A new commandment I give unto you:
that you love one another as I have loved you.
By this shall all men know that you are my disciples
if you have love for one another.

Words: John 13.34-35
 Music: Richard James Shephard (1949-2021)

We all sing the following hymns.

Drop, drop, slow tears,
and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heav’n
the news and Prince of peace.

Cease not, wet eyes,
his mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance
sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods
drown all my faults and fears;
nor let his eye
see sin, but through my tears.

Words: Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650)
 Music: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
 Hymn Tune: SONG 46

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,
fellow trav’llers on the road
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.

Words & Music: Richard Gillard (b. 1953)
 Music arrangement: Betty Pulkingham (1928-2019)

Then the president offers this prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we kneel or sit to pray.

In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father through Christ the saviour of the world.

Father, on this, the night he was betrayed, your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples’ feet. We commit ourselves to follow his example of love and service.

Lord, hear us

and humble us.

On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one.

We pray for the unity of your Church.

Lord, hear us

and unite us.

On this night, he prayed for those who were
to believe through his disciples’ message.

We pray for the mission of your Church.

Lord, hear us

and renew our zeal.

On this night, he commanded his disciples to love,
but suffered rejection himself.

We pray for the rejected and unloved.

Lord, hear us

and fill us with your love.

On this night, he reminded his disciples that if the world hated them it hated him first.

We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith.

Lord, hear us

and give us your peace.

On this night, he accepted the cup of death and looked forward to the new wine of the kingdom.

We remember those who have died in the peace of Christ.

Lord, hear us

and welcome all your children into paradise.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Preparation of the Table

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

A hymn is sung.

We pray thee, heav’nly Father,
to hear us in thy love,
and pour upon thy children
the unction from above;
that so in love abiding,
from all defilement free,
we may in pureness offer
our Eucharist to thee.

Be thou our guide and helper,
O Jesus Christ, we pray;
so may we well approach thee,
if thou wilt be the Way;
thou, very Truth, hast promised
to help us in our strife,
food of the weary pilgrim,
eternal source of life.

And thou, creator Spirit,
look on us, we are thine;
renew in us thy graces,
upon our darkness shine;
that, with thy benediction
upon our souls outpoured,
we may receive in gladness
the body of the Lord.

O Trinity of Persons,
O Unity most high,
on thee alone relying
thy servants would draw nigh:
unworthy in our weakness,
on thee our hope is stayed,
and blessed by thy forgiveness 
we will not be afraid.

Words: Vincent Stuckey Stratton Coles (1845-1929)
Music: John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)
Hymn Tune: DIES DOMINICA

Taking of the Bread and Wine

At the eucharist we are with our crucified and risen Lord.
We know that it was not only our ancestors,
but we who were redeemed
and brought forth from bondage to freedom,
from mourning to feasting.
We know that as he was with them in the upper room
so our Lord is with us now.

Until the kingdom of God comes
let us celebrate this feast.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of the universe,
you bring forth bread from the earth.

Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of the universe,
you create the fruit of the vine.

Blessed be God for ever.

The Eucharistic Prayer (B)

Please kneel or sit.

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right to give you thanks,
Father most holy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For on this night he girded himself with a towel
and, taking the form of a servant,
washed the feet of his disciples.
He gave us a new commandment
that we should love one another as he has loved us.
Knowing that his hour had come,
in his great love he gave this supper to his disciples
to be a memorial of his passion,
that we might proclaim his death until he comes again,
and feast with him in his kingdom.
Therefore earth unites with heaven
to sing a new song of praise;
we too join with angels and archangels
for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r and might,
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessèd is he, O blessèd is he 
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.   

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness;
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit,
and according to your holy will,
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who, on the same night that he was betrayed,
that is this very night,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.

Christ is the bread of life:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory, until you come in glory. 

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross,
his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world;
rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension,
and looking for his coming in glory,
we celebrate this memorial of our redemption.

As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
we bring before you this bread and this cup
and we thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people
and gather into one in your kingdom
all who share this one bread and one cup,
so that we, in the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and all the saints,
may praise and glorify you for ever,
through Jesus Christ our Lord;
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

Amen. (Sung)

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Trusting in the compassion of God
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

Every time we eat this bread
and drink this cup,

we proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards.

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive, then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention.

The sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’).

To the words “The Body/Blood of Christ” the communicant replies “Amen”.

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution.

God our Father,
your Son Jesus Christ was obedient to the end
and drank the cup prepared for him:
may we who share his table
watch with him through the night of suffering
and be faithful.
Amen.

Anthem

Sung by the Choir.

Tantum ergo sacramentum veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque laus et jubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio:
procedenti abutroque compar sit laudatio. Amen.

Words: The incipit of the last two verses of ‘Pange Lingua’,
 a medieval Latin hymn attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas (c. 1264)
 Music: Déodat de Séverac (1872-1921)

English Translation:

Therefore, so great a Sacrament, let us venerate with heads bowed
and let the old practice give way to the new rite;
let faith provide a supplement for the failure of the senses.

To the Begetter and the Begotten be praise and jubilation,
hail, honour, virtue also and blessing too:
to the One proceeding from Both let there be equal praise.
Amen.

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

This is my body, broken for you,
bringing you wholeness, making you free.
Take it and eat it, and when you do,
do it in love for me.

This is my blood, poured out for you,
bringing forgiveness, making you free.
Take it and drink it, and when you do,
do it in love for me.

Back to my Father soon I shall go.
Do not forget me; then you will see
I am still with you, and you will know
you’re very close to me.

Filled with my Spirit, how you will grow!
You are my branches; I am the tree.
If you are faithful, others will know
you are alive in me.

Love one another: I have loved you,
and I have shown you how to be free;
serve one another, and when you do,
do it in love for me.

Words: verses 1 & 2:  Jimmy Owens (b. 1930)
  verses 3, 4 & 5: Damian Lundy (1944-1997)
  Music: Jimmy Owens (b. 1930)
arranged by Christopher Tambling (1964-2015)

Bread of heav’n, on thee we feed,
for thy flesh is meat indeed;
ever may our souls be fed
with this true and living bread;
day by day with strength supplied
through the life of him who died.

Vine of heav’n, thy blood supplies
this blest cup of sacrifice;
Lord, thy wounds our healing give,
to thy cross we look and live:
Jesus, may we ever be
grafted, rooted, built in thee.

Words: Josiah Conder (1789-1855)
Music: William Dalrymple Maclagan (1826-1910)
Hymn Tune: BREAD OF HEAVEN

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament
you have given us the memorial of your passion:
grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries
of your body and blood
that we may know within ourselves
and show forth in our lives
the fruits of your redemption,
for you are alive and reign, now and for ever.

Amen.

The reserved sacrament is taken by procession to the chapel for the watch, during which this hymn is sung.

Hymn

Now, my tongue, the myst’ry telling
of the glorious body sing,
and the blood, all price excelling,
which the Gentiles’ Lord and King,
in a virgin’s womb once dwelling,
shed for this world’s ransoming.

Giv’n for us, for us descending
of a virgin to proceed,
he, with us in converse blending,
scattered here the gospel seed,
till his sojourn drew to ending,
which he closed with wondrous deed.

At the last great supper lying,
circled by his chosen band,
meekly with the law complying,
first he finished its command.
Then, immortal food supplying,
gave himself with his own hand.

Word made flesh, by word he maketh
very bread his flesh to be;
we, in wine, Christ’s blood partaketh,
and if senses fail to see,
faith alone the true heart waketh,
to behold the mystery.

Therefore we, before him bending,
this great sacrament revere:
types and shadows have their ending,
for the newer rite is here;
faith, our outward sense befriending,
makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
honour, might and praise addressing,
while eternal ages run;
ever too his love confessing,
who, from both, with both is one.

Words: St Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274)
translated John Mason Neale (1818-1866),
Edward Caswall (1814-1878) and others
Music: French melody (1881)
Hymn Tune: TANTUM ERGO (GRAFTON)

The holy table and the sanctuary are then stripped bare. The Choir sing an anthem.

The Watch is kept

Silence is kept until 10pm, ending with the Gospel of the Watch, which is read without ceremony. Please stay for some, or all, of the Watch, and when departing please do so quietly.