Welcome to St. John’s United Church of Christ
12984 Co Rd 51 – PO Box 124 – NYA, MN 55368
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here!
Rev. Scott Siefert | Organist: Penny Rolf
Liturgists: Jeannette Bachmann, Larry Bachmann, Michelle Bachmann, Cindy Henschen,David Henschen, Karen Otto, Chris Wing
Communion Assistant: David Henschen
“Maundy Thursday”
April 17, 2025
Ringing of the Church Bell
Announcements
Welcome
Rev Scott: Welcome, beloved family in Christ to this holy night. Tonight we remember the meal Jesus shared with his disciples – bread broken, a cup poured, love expressed even as darkness gathered. Tonight we follow the Gospel of Luke – from the table, to the garden, to the cross. We remember not only what was given, but also what was lost – and what love endured. Come just as you are. Come with open hearts. Come, for Christ is already here.
Call to Worship
Rev Scott: The hour has come. The table is set. The Savior waits.
All: We come to remember and receive.
Rev Scott: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it.
All: “This is my body, given for you.”
Rev Scott: He took the cup and shared it with all.
All: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
Rev Scott: He prayed in the garden, was betrayed, arrested, and denied.
All: Still he loved. Still, he gave. Still, he forgives.
Rev Scott: Come, let us walk with Christ this night. Let us worship with reverence, sorrow, and love.
*Opening Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (The Hymnal #158)
Prayer of Invocation
Rev Scott: Holy God, on this night, we step into a story both ancient and ever new. We remember the table, the towel, the bread, the cup. We remember the garden, the sword, the kiss, the denial. And still, Your love remains.
All: Come, Holy Spirit – open our hearts as we listen to the Gospel. Give us courage to walk with Christ into the night. May we not turn away. May we not fall asleep. May we not forget. We are here, Lord. Speak to us again. AMEN.
Call to Confession
Rev Scott: As we listen to the story of Jesus’ final night, we are reminded of how easy it is to fall short. And yet, even knowing this, Jesus still breaks the bread and pours the cup. He still loves us to the end. Let us come confess before God and one another.
Prayer of Confession and Transformation
One: God of grace and God of glory, we confess that we are quick to claim you in comfort and slow to follow you in sacrifice. We sing “Hosanna” with our lips, but not with our lives. Forgive us. Stay with us. Strengthen us.
All: Help us to watch and pray, to follow and to love, even when the night grows dark. AMEN.
–Time of Silent Confession-
Kyrie (The Hymnal #518)
Rev Scott: Lord, have mercy upon us.
All: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Rev Scott: Christ, have mercy upon us.
All: Christ, have mercy upon us.
Rev Scott: Lord, have mercy upon us.
All: Lord, have mercy upon us.
Assurance of Grace
Rev Scott: Here the good news of this night: Even as the shadows fall, even as the cross looms, Jesus does not withdraw his love. He shares the table even with the one who will betray him. He forgives even those who crucify him. Beloved family, God’s mercy endures. God’s grace is poured out for you.
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. We are made whole. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
Liturgy of the Passion from the Gospel of Luke
- Reading #1 Luke 22:14-23 (See Insert)
Hymn of Response: “Let Us Break Bread Together” (New Century Hymnal #330)
Holy Communion (see insert)
- Reading #2 Luke 22:24-23:25 (See Insert)
Hymn of Response: “Were You There” (New Century Hymnal #229)
- Scripture Reading #3 Luke 23:26-56 (See Insert)
The Lord’s Prayer
ALL: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. AMEN.
Closing and Blessing
*Closing Hymn: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” (See Insert)
*Benediction and Blessing
*Please to stand if able
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Tonight – Thank you to the Women’s Guild for hosting our Maundy Thursday Soup Fellowship
April 18th – Good Friday worship service at St. Paul’s UCC in Plato at 7pm
April 20th – “Roll Away the Stone” fellowship hosted by the Consistory Team at 8:30am and Easter Worship at 915am
April 27th – Consistory Team Meeting following Worship
May 1st – Love, Inc One Love Annual Fundraiser at Electrical Production Services in Chaska at 5:30pm
May 4th – Parsonage Team Meeting following Worship
May 4th – Worship & Gather Team meeting following worship
“Special Thank You from the Pastor” to our Consistory Team consisting of Michelle Bachmann, Cindy Henschen, Sham Moteelall, Steve Schmitz, Bob Schneewind, and Chad Kestner. Your vision and leadership is greatly appreciated.
“Fruit of the Spirit”: “Feed My Starving Children” A Christian nonprofit organization called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. You will hear us say this again and again: “We want to reach everyone, until ALL are fed.” We truly mean this. With God’s help we will work together with organizations and ministries across the globe to end hunger. Our annual Feed My Starving Children mission activity in Chanhassen was on April 12th.
Join a Team. If you feel called to use your talents, join a team! Faith and Service, Worship and Gather, and Women’s Guild.
Online Giving. It’s easy and secure. Give any amount, at any time. Scan the QR Code listed in the worship guide.
The Word To Go. Find Sunday morning worship services on our Facebook Page, St. John’s UCC of Bongards. Worship is live-streamed on Facebook, when available. Previous streams are available for 4 weeks.
Bongards Buzz. Submit items for the newsletter by the 1st of each month to Michelle Bachmann or sjuccbongards@gmail.com.
Looking for a church community? If you’d like to be more than a visitor, we welcome you openly and would love to chat. Contact Pastor Scott.
For Pastoral Care. Please contact Pastor Scott at 804-350-0826 or
St. John's United Church of Christ 
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