Raise the cup of freedom
Exodus 12: 1-4, (5-10), 11-14
Psalm 116: 1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
John 13: 1-17, 31b-35
At this point in Holy week we are invited into the drama of the readings. Creating a liturgy in which all participate in that drama is the critical task of the preacher today. Would a structure such as the following help? For a service like this I put the communion table in the middle of the church and gather the chairs around it.
· Invitation
v12 of this psalm is a point where all in the congregation might be invited to light a candle (and place their candle on the communion table?) in recognition of the gifts (the light) God has given them.
· Background (or call to worship)
The Passover is the story of God’s saving God’s people. The responsibility for all of God’s people is to “Remember this day and celebrate it each year as a festival in my honour.”
· Setting
This leads into a hymn such as “An upper room did our Lord prepare…”
· The Gospel is read and acted on
Congregations a little anxious about foot washing will wash each other’s hands. The English are happy to queue, so the pattern I use is: First person in line holds jug of water over a basin and pours water over the hands of the person following. Sets the jug down and dries the hands. Then the one who has had hands washed and dried does the same. First person to pour the water becomes the last person to have their hands washed. (It’s good to have several towels available. It’s a real washing! Think about the logistics. The numbers attending may require a number of “washing points”)
Here’s the sermon!
· The Gospel is responded to
Use this and your memory of the shape of the Great prayer to shape the communion. After the singing of a hymn the lights may be dimmed or turned off.
· The Gospel is read and acted on
The story takes us to a point where we may recognise our own betrayal(s) of Christ. At the conclusion of this reading the people may be invited to extinguish the candle they lit at the beginning of the service.
· The Gospel is read and acted on
Challenged by these words the people leave the darkened worship area quietly.
Simplicity, informality and careful selection of hymns/songs can heighten the drama and make this a very moving service.