Bold Print | Speak or sing together in unison

April 18, 2019 l 5:30 pm

Maundy Thursday A Passover Haggadah for Christians by Rev. Dr. Steve Hayner (adapted)

Prelude

Haggadah (which means “the telling”) is a guide to celebrating Seder. This is a specifically Christian Haggadah, which builds upon all the traditional elements of the Passover Seder and also calls attention to Jesus the Messiah.

The Shema Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

We are in a land which is not our own… Jesus Christ on the night before his death celebrated the Seder with

his disciples.

As Christians we celebrate the Seder as a remembrance of God’s deliverance of his people.

During the celebration tonight we will remember that the original Passover meal was prepared in haste in Egypt

as the people waited expectantly to follow God out to the wilderness.

We will eat bitter herbs to remind us of the bitter bondage of the Jews and our own bitter bondage to sin. And we will break bread and drink the cup which reminded God’s people of his salvation from their affliction.

The Search for Leaven | At the leader’s direction, the crumbs on the tables are dusted into the small white bowl

with a feather.

Lighting the Candles | A woman at each table will light the candle. Blessed are you, O Lord our God….We thank you that the light of the Messiah has come into the world and into

our lives.

Help us to let the light of Christ so shine through us that our world might be set aglow and that everyone everywhere might give praise to you, O Lord. Amen!

The Blessing of the Feast

When directed the table leader will pour the first cup: the Cup of Thanksgiving

The Washing

When directed the table leader will take a little water from the bowl and wash his hands.

It is customary…

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has cleansed us by your Word, and has come among us as one who serves. Grant that we might learn to truly serve one another.

The Green Herb

The Breaking of the Matzah

The Story of Deliverance

When directed the table leader will pour the second cup, the Cup of Promise.

The Youngest: Why is this night different from all other nights?….Why on this night do we hold this

Passover service?

It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.

Song | Let My People Go

Recitation of “It Would Have Been Enough

How many are the good deeds the Eternal has done for us!

Had God brought us out of Egypt, and had not executed judgment upon the Egyptians,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God executed judgment upon the Egyptians, and not upon their gods,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God executed judgment upon their gods, and had not slain their firstborn,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God slain their firstborn, and had not given us their wealth,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God given us their wealth, and had not divided the sea for us,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God divided the sea for us, and had not permitted us to cross to dry land,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God permitted us to cross on dry land, and had not drowned our oppressors,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God drowned our oppressors, and had not provided for us in the wilderness forty years,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God provided for us in the wilderness forty years, and had not fed us with manna,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God fed us with manna, and had not ordained the Sabbath,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God ordained the Sabbath, and had not brought us to Mount Sinai,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God brought us to Mount Sinai, and had not given us the Torah,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God given us the Torah, and had not led us into the land of Israel,

It would have been enough for us.

Had God not brought us into the land of Israel, and had not built for us the Temple,

It would have been enough for us.

How much more then are we to be grateful for the manifold favors the Eternal has bestowed upon us?

Psalm 126 | When God First Brought Us Back

Meaning of the Symbols | questions asked by selected people When you are directed all will raise the second cup and drink.

The Solemn Blessing of the Food

The Seder Meal | All the tables will now eat the dinner that has been prepared.

The Breaking of the Afikoman Now the matzah which has been broken…Christ took the bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them

saying, “This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) Let us bless the Lord.

May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and evermore.

The Blessing After the Meal

The Sharing of the Third Cup: the Cup of Blessing

“In the same way, after the supper, Jesus….Every time we drink this cup, we are proclaiming

Jesus’ death until he comes.’”

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Psalm of Praise | Psalm 23 The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Final Blessing

Blessed are you, O Lord our God……the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Next year in Jerusalem! Next year in the new Jerusalem!

Hymn | Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer

Postlude | The King of Love My Shepherd Is setting by Victor C. Johnson