What follows is our Maundy Thursday service for 4/17/25 (Sunday’s recording of worship is below)
HOLY THURSDAY AT GRAFTON COMMUNITY CHURCH
April 17, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Bill Watson is inviting you to Holy Thursday Worship.
Topic: Bill Watson's Zoom Meeting for Maundy Thursday
Time: Apr 17, 2025 04:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting! (This a different link from the usual Sunday link)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83186933204?pwd=671oZVshUC8qsX9mK7g8VgJDhFilYo.1
Meeting ID: 831 8693 3204
Passcode: 299508
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbYABeAkQn
Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
**In the sanctuary, masks and a safe social distance are recommended, especially when singing or responding in prayer!!!
Music Minister Ken Olsson
Guest Music Minister Amy Cann
*Prelude (5:00 p.m.)
(After entering Zoom or the Sanctuary, please use mute or observe silence to allow all to prepare for worship. Thank you & Blessings)
I hope you are moved by the instrumental music tonight. It was chosen – oftentimes – as the spirit of the service moved me. It is based in a music tradition, explained in more depth at the conclusion of this bulletin. AMY
*Narrator
Good evening to you, the light is fading from this day
and from this Lenten season.
Lent is about light – enlightenment.
We seek it in the wilderness during these forty days.
Then, the light is extinguished tomorrow,
only to be renewed again in each of us.
Listen to the words of Isaiah about light: (42: 6-7)
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
And words from the Gospel of John: (12: 35-36)
Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer.
Walk while you have the light,
so that the darkness may not overtake you.
If you walk in the darkness,
you do not know where you are going.
While you have the light, believe in the light,
so that you may become children of light."
After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.
Christ hid, we are told by the Gospel, to
fulfill the prophesy of Isaiah:
“That they might not look with their eyes,
and understand with their hearts.”
It was the inevitable end and
at the same moment
a new beginning was unfolding
for us all.
*Music
*Narrator
Each Lenten season offers us a chance to begin again,
to throw off our chains of bondage,
the ones figuratively holding us as slaves to ourselves,
enslaved in ways only our heart and soul can know.
Now is our opportunity for our personal Exodus,
to relive the Passover with the Christ,
who is described in scripture as the:
“Lamb of God, who takes away our sin.”
The phrase derives from the Exodus story,
where God told Moses and Aaron how each
Israelite family in Egyptian bondage should
sacrifice a lamb, which was “perfect in every way”
and mark their doors with its blood as a sign,
a sign which would protect them from the wrath
of their God against the rulers of Egypt.
Thus the Hebrew people were freed,
as we can be also, by our individual faith;
faith in the redeeming power of
the Cross, tonight.
* Hymn #663 “Go Down Moses.” (Verses 1-3 & 5)
1 When Israel was in Egypt´s Land: let my people go,
oppressed so hard they could not stand, let my people go.
Refrain:
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt´s land.
Tell old Pharaoh to let my people go.
2 No more shall they in bondage toil, let my people go,
let them come out with Egypt's spoil, let my people go.
[Refrain]
3 The Lord told Moses what to do, let my people go,
to lead the Hebrew children through, let my people go.
[Refrain]
5 O let us all from bondage flee, let my people go,
and let us all in Christ be free, let my people go.
[Refrain]
*Narrator
God has a message for us tonight, and it’s
the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples,
almost two-thousand years ago on this evening:
To love one another as he had loved them.
It’s the word “commandment” that gives this day its name.
The English word mandate and the Anglo-French word maundy
have the same Latin route:
Mandátum means commandment.
This evening, it is OUR commandment to love one another!
Instead of looking backward this night,
Jesus challenged his friends and disciples
to look ahead to the future.
And just as God’s people were repressed by Pharaoh
and God delivered the believers from bondage,
Maundy Thursday is not about
darkness, isolation, or bondage to
pandemic or politics or fear.
Tonight, is about redemption,
redemption for each of us,
By LOVE:
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
AND
Our Creator will
deliver the people:
*Music:
*Scripture:
Reader:
John 13:1-17, 34-35
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,
he got up from the table, [laid down] 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.
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."
*Hymn #272 “The Churches One Foundation” (verses 1-3)
1 The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord;
we are his new creation by water and the Word;
from heaven he came and sought us to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought us, and for our life he died.
2 Called forth from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth;
our charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth.
One Holy name professing and at one table fed,
to one hope always pressing, by Christ’s own spirit led.
3 Though with a scornful wonder the world sees us oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
*Reflection/Prayer: Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis: We are waiting for the light of Easter morn, but we need first to pass through the shadows of this night and the darkness of tomorrow. John’s Gospel story offers us a unique insight into Jesus and his relationship with each of us: “Having loved his own, who were in the world, he loved them ‘completely.’”
That’s the way to see the Christ on the eve of crucifixion – complete and perfect love for the entire world.
*Hymn #198 “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord
1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2 Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
3 Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
*Scripture
Reader:
Almost three centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah told us that the events we bear witness to again tonight would ultimately be uplifting. Listen to these verses from Isaiah, Chapter 40:
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!"
See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
*Music:
Narrator
Our journey tonight is ending.
We know the Messiah. We adore the Messiah.
Bless us, Lord, as we reach toward you, and
help us to embrace one another even though
we might be separated now by circumstance.
As we leave this sacred place,
help us to know that we each join
in communal fellowship for peace,
despite these times of fear and isolation,
and renew our resolve to share in
redeeming the world.
We belong to God the Creator,
who loves us enough to give his Child for us.
We go gently into the night,
because we follow Jesus.
Jesus is our Lord.
Christ is our Savior.
Jesus is the light of the world.
Peace be with you.
*Postlude
Music Notes:
I hope you felt moved by the instrumental music tonight. It was chosen – oftentimes – as the spirit of the service moved me.
In older times the word "carol" meant more than Christmas. The earliest carols were intended for dancing in celebration in a circle around a central focus - a bonfire, a tree, a pole decorated with spring flowers. They weren't always cheerful, and they usually told a story - a birth attended by angels, miracles of bread and fish and wine, the pleas of a leper, death and resurrection. Many of our most ancient Christmas favorites have more verses that go on to tell the entire life of Christ.
Part of the music tonight is drawn from these, sourced mainly from the Oxford Book of Carols, as they would have been sung in England in the 18th/19th centuries, . The rest are from the same time period here in New England with its emerging "shape note" style - the stark chorales and staunch "fuguing tunes" of the "Sacred Harp" collection, with a special nod to the compositions of William Billings and Vermonter Justin Morgan.
Billings was a self-taught musician in his twenties during the American Revolution, with friends including Paul Revere and Sam Adams. Despite the loss of one eye and a leg, he was a successful itinerant music teacher and his hymns were among the most popular in early America.
Justin Morgan is perhaps better known for his stallion “Figure,” which was the beginning of the famous Morgan Horse line. He was also an itinerant music teacher and his compositions are compared to Billings. The hymn "Amanda," is a setting of a poem by Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 90. It was the basis for a classical work written by American composer Thomas Canning in 1946, "Fantasy on a Hymn Tune by Justin Morgan."
AMY
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ku0JyG1jee1CN_VSMrOUxEZii3IErckf/view
Above is the link to the recording of worship from Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Copy the link and place it in your browser so you can view the recording.
Or, we also post each recording on our Facebook page: The Grafton Church
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 04-13-25
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. April 13, 2025
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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Please mute your computer or phone microphone! Make sure there is a red slash through the microphone icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
This will make the service more enjoyable for all.
**In the sanctuary, masks and a safe social distance are optional. We recommend care and consideration, especially when singing or responding in prayer!!!
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 04-13-25 — Palm Sunday
Prelude (Ken Olsson, Music Minister)
How Great Thou Art (Chuck Sinclair)
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (Stan Pethel)
Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
Fairest Lord Jesus (Becki Slagle Mayo)
All Glory, Laud and Honor (Larry Shackley)
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #192 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
1 All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel Great David's greater Son;
you ride in lowly triumph, Messiah, Blessed One.
2 The company of angels are praising you on high;
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
3 To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As you received their praises, now hear us as we pray.
Since you delight in goodness, rule in our hearts today
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
God of all times and places, we confess that we would rather join the joyful crowds today than contemplate your Crucifixion. We sing “hosanna” – but shudder to think of standing with you at the cross. Guide us through this week, trusting you as life unfolds, through joy, heartache, and joy. May we too, with Jesus, stand firmly in your love. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
*Response: (Hymn #192, Verse 2)
The company of angels are praising you on high;
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
Scripture:
Psalm 118: 26-29
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Luke 19:28-40
After [telling a parable], Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples,
saying, "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it.'"
So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.
As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
They said, "The Lord needs it."
Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.
As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen,
saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop."
He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
*Hymn #190 “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
1 Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
2 First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.
3 Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
Reflection: “Time to Celebrate” Pastor C.J. King
Synopsis: Today we wave palms and celebrate. Next Sunday we will celebrate again. But in between, there is sorrow and despair, the horror of the Crucifixion -- it’s a roller coaster week. As we enter Holy Week, let us take time to celebrate, remembering that Jesus gives us strength to walk through both joy and sorrow.
*Hymn #97 ”Fairest Lord Jesus”
1 Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature, O thou of God to earth come down;
thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling, starry hosts:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast.
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function. You will not run afoul of Martin Luther’s edicts on indulgences.)
Offertory: (Ken Olsson, Music Minister)
Peaceful Piano #6 (Mark Hayes)
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord's Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
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.
Postlude: (Ken Olsson, Music Minister)
Triumphal Entry (Eugene Butler)
Please greet your neighbors on Zoom or at a “Safe Social Distance” in the sanctuary, as the postlude ends. Unmute your mikes, share greetings and the peace of this virtual space.
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth *Those with PTSD & their families *Those enduring times of stress * *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Arthur Park *Michael Brown (Matt Brown’s brother) *Pastor Harold Noyes *Sylven Lang *Kenny King (Pastor King’s brother) *Norm Robertson *Robert Johnson (Ken Olsson’s father-in-law) *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Dave Robinson *Michelle Dufort *Joyce Olsson (Ken’s mom) *Cecile Fisher Smith *Dennis Scharback *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Paul Nolan (Steve Nolan’s cousin) *Debbie Wright *Christine Tattersall *Gayle Arbuckle *JoAnn Supple (Sherry Brown’s mother) *Henry Feder *Jason Roger (Wren’s tenant & friend) *Jeremiah Olmas (Mary Feder’s friend’s grandson) *Luann King, (Pastor King’s stepmother) *Jessica Tragellis (Dear Nolan Friend)
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Bill Brown *Family & friends of Luann Ward *Family & friends of Helene Delaney (Steven Humes’ mother-in-law) *Family & friends of Ron Metzger (Pastor Watson’s cousin) *Family & friends of Simon Kimber (Christine Tattersall’s brother-in-law) *Family & friends of Peggy O’Keefe Lafave *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Jerry Goldlust (Christine Tattersall’s close friend) *Family & friends of Bob Wright *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Donald F.M. Bolton *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Clint Lee
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Sterling House, 33 Atkinson Street, Bellows Falls VT 05101
*Estelle Pieth, Crescent Manor, 312 Crescent Blvd, Bennington, VT 05201
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
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