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Hallelujah. Good morning. Our is there.

Our God is there. on the bread. Glorian brought together Our God is there.

Our God is invite you to stand as you're able and join me as we confess. We are gathered to worship in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. >> Amen.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. >> Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

But if we confess our sins, God who is merciful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.

By what we have done and by what we have left undone, >> we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. for the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name.

Amen. In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us. And for his sake, God forgives us all our sins.

As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I don't see anyone listed to read the lessons. Do you need me to do that or are you going to do that? >> I think there's a reader, but I'm not sure.

Well, if nobody jumps up, I'll come up. That'll be great. >> Standing in the back.

>> That'll be great. of broken trust and grow my heart. for you.

Great in Christ. your grad and humble us and call suffer and show to all creation to crown all us to your joy to share. Give us your spirit liberty to turn and all the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

>> And also with you. >> Let us pray. The Lord be with you.

>> And also with you. >> We pray together. >> Holy God, source of all love.

>> On the night of his betrayal, Jesus gave us a new commandment to love one another as he loves us. Take this commandment in our hearts and give us the will to serve others as he was the servant of all your son Jesus Christ our savior and lord who lives and reigns with you the holy spirit one god now and forever amen please be seated A reading from the Exodus. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, "This month shall mark for you the beginning of months.

It shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the earth or on the tenth of this month, they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one.

The lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year old male. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

You shall keep it until the 14th day of this month. Then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts, the lentil of the houses in which they eat it.

They shall eat the lamb that same night. They shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire with its head, legs, and inner organs.

You shall let none of it remain until the morning. Anything that remains until the morning, you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it.

Your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the Passover of the Lord.

For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals. On all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgments. I am the Lord.

The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you.

You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. The word of the Lord.

>> Thanks be to God. >> We shall continue with the psalm. Lift the salen.

Listen to my shall I lift the cup of salvation. and the name of the Lord of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all people.

Precious Lord. Truly I am your servant. I am your child of your hand.

You have freed me from my thoughts. I will sacrifice of thanksgiving and I will pres of Jerusalem will call on the name of the Lord. A reading from Paul's first letter to the church of Corenth.

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. This 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. The word of the Lord.

>> Thanks be to God. Praise the Lord. For he is merciful to anor >> the Holy Gospel according to St.

John the 13th chapter. >> Glory to you, 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 Escariat, 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 a 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'm 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've 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 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. The gospel of the Lord.

>> Praise to you Christ. >> Please be seated. It's Monday Thursday.

sight and setting and scene of the institution of our Lord's last supper with his disciples. And I want to talk about Judas the Scariot. I know I'm heavily influenced by the rock opera popular from the 1970s Jesus Christ Superstar with a cast of street kids from inner city Trenton, New Jersey and Bethl's limited youth ministry funds for two consecutive years we produced and performed Superstar down in Bethl's fellowship hall.

The impact on all of us was intense. But my connection goes much deeper than that to the text of all four gospels in a powerful, painful, consistent way. All four writers are quick to dismiss Judas the Scariot.

We heard St. John today report and during supper when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas's scariot Simon's son to betray him Jesus last supper is said in the context of betrayal and it's not just Jesus who's being betrayed here someone is being disposed of here the company of the so-called faith faithful is washing its hands of someone. It's St.

John's way of saying looking back over 50 or 60 years after Easter to tell us, you know, we never really did like that guy. He had said so in the 12th chapter in the context of another footwashing. This time with Mary of Bethany whose brother Lazarus Jesus had brought back from the dead after four days in the tomb.

She who washed Jesus' feet with costly ointment and dried them with her hair. John reports Judas commenting, "Why wasn't this sold and the money given to the poor?" Then almost as though John leans over to whisper in our ear, he said he really didn't care about the poor. But you see, he carried the money box for us.

He was a thief and he used to steal what was put into it. Well, when you think about it, the write off is obvious. Judas didn't have much money at his disposal.

He simply carried grocery money for a handful of disciples and the teacher. The forces that wanted to arrest Jesus away from the Passover pilgrims really didn't need Judas's help. You know full well they knew every minute of every day exactly where Jesus was that Passover week in Jerusalem.

And finally when you think about it even the kiss in the garden of Gethsemane was insignificant. Everyone knew who Jesus was. Judas is there in the gospel narratives to make the rest of us look good.

He's the bumbling, stumbling circus clown doing his thing down there in the remote corner of the ring while the rest of us perform our attention getting antics in center ring, hoping and working for applause and affirmation. And Judas is there to see that we get it. Or like the Egyptians in the Passover Exodus narrative in our first reading, it was a way for Hebrews to look back generations later, looking backward through a spotted and stained history at the very best with self-righteousness to declared we weren't really that bad.

Look what God did to Pharaoh and those people. Judas was the scapegoat for the early Christian church, just as lambs were for that first Passover of the death angel through Egypt. Why do I say these things about Judas, the New Testament's arch villain?

because I've been awakened through these many years to a powerful by line that will literally underscore that last part of Holy Week. We will hear the tragic message rising out of the darkness of the Garden of Gethsemane late Thursday night. Then Matthew reported all the disciples deserted him and fled.

When it came right down to it that last night, it was everyone for himself or herself. But this is only the ending to the story that began up there in that upper room at supper. to Matthew's memory.

We want to know who's the villain. Who's the one who's going to betray Jesus? And Jesus answers in a way that I don't think most of us really want to hear.

The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. the way meals were at that time. They all had their hands in the bowl with Jesus and they simply left Judas with stain on his fingers to bear the guilt.

When you really get down to it, ancient Israel always had two scapegoats. One was that unblenmished lamb that was led to the altar to have its throat cut. The other one was the one that bore their guilt away.

The one they pushed off into the wilderness to be completely abandoned with the sins of the nation piled on its back. Who is our Judas now? Where is our personal scapegoat?

Who and what do we use to qualify ourselves as God's deserving people? In contrast to whom do we consider ourselves to be pure and righteous? Many years ago, I got a letter telling me about a murder that someone witnessed right next to his store.

The blacks with their brains pickled by cheap liquor just led that man out into the street and they shot him was the message that came to me. And they blame the race. They're almost like animals.

They blame the neighborhood. Oh, it's a rough part of town. They thought of everything but the one who sold them the liquor.

With righteous indignation, many today post on social media responses to the news of a parent who abandons or abuses a child. Even while children all around us suffer from condoned compromise, ignoring the things that we know and they know to be wrong under the excuse, well, everybody's doing it. People can pride themselves at not being among those who abuse their children mentally or physically, or so they think.

Humankind has never liked being guilty. And I certainly don't like it any more than anyone else. We just never could really believe that God accepts us guilt and all just as we are.

The testimony of scripture, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, is easily dismissed. It really doesn't apply to us. But that's the point of the wash basin.

The progression from the bowl at supper to the desertion in the garden of Gethsemane is interrupted by that significant unsettling action. the wash basin. The whole point of the wash basin is that it's Jesus who is on his knees doing for Peter and the others what they couldn't or wouldn't do for him.

They were too busy covering their guilt and their sins to wash his feet. Unless I wash you, he told them, you cannot be clean all over. You have no share in me.

We are all guilty here. And yet, is this not the very truth of our redemption? Was this not the very reason our Lord Jesus took a towel and a wash face and knelt and washed his disciples feet?

For who needs redemption through the ages more than we do today? We who have worshiped at the shrines of so many gods and ideologies of our day that we've simply lost count. Easter was for all those who had their hand in the dish with him, who were washed in that basin by his own hands.

All those who deserted Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. And Easter is for us. From the bowl at supper to the basin, the issue is the guilt of all humankind and God's amazing gift of forgiveness.

The gift of God for all who acknowledge their need of forgiveness and embrace God's amazing, precious gifts of grace and mercy. This is my body. This is my blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

It is. It truly is. Amen.

Myior love to me I know for my sake to his world is not his friend. My friend indeed praises presumpar Murder to save on in a strange I was singing. This is my friend with the whole church.

Let us confess our faith using the words of the Apostles Creed. >> I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. >> I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontious Pilot, was crucified, died, and was buried.

>> He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again. >> He ascended into heaven.

He is seated at the right hand of the father. And he will come to judge the living and the dead. >> I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

>> Amen. On this night when Jesus gave us a new commandment to love one another, let us bring our prayers before the one whose love knows no bounds. Gracious host, you knelt to wash your disciples feet.

Cleanse us from pride and self-centeredness and teach us to love one another as you have loved us. Hear us, oh God. >> Your mercy is great.

Creator God, the earth is yours and everything in it. Awaken us to care for all you have made and conserve the rich diversity of your good creation. Hear us, oh God.

>> Your mercy is great. >> God of the nations, guide the world's leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Where they wield power unjustly, confront them.

Where they are indifferent to suffering, awaken their conscience. Hear us, oh God. >> Your mercy is great.

>> Compassionate one, embrace all who are lonely or in captivity. Comfort the grieving and relieve those in pain. Draw near to all who suffer, especially those whom we lift before you now, whether silently or aloud.

>> Hear us, oh God. >> Your mercy is great. Blessed redeemer, we give you thanks for this community of faith and for all who gather around your table of grace.

Unite us in love for you and for one another. Hear us, oh God. >> Your mercy is great.

>> Eternal God, we praise you for for the great cloud of witnesses who now rest from their labors. At the last, gather us with them at your heavenly banquet. Hear us, oh God.

>> Your mercy is great. >> We entrust these prayers to you, oh God, confident that you will strengthen us by your spirit to love one another as Christ has loved us. We ask this in Jesus' name.

>> Amen. >> The peace of the Lord be with you always. >> And also with you.

As you're comfortable, share a sign of God's peace. to the river of the blessing. and that we may dream of all them we Let us pray together.

Oh God, maker of heaven and earth. Your steadfast love embraces all creation. You send rain and sunshine to nourish the earth and bring forth its bounty.

Through these gifts of bread and wine, draw us into the death and life of your son, who calls us to bear witness to his saving work. >> We ask this in Jesus' name. >> Amen.

>> The Lord be with you. >> And also with you. >> Lift up your hearts.

>> We lift them to the Lord. >> Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

>> It is indeed our duty and our joy that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, Almighty and merciful God. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all, you gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life. And so with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power of heaven and earth are full of your gloryana in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lordana in the highestana in the highest. >> Blessed are you, oh God, creator of heaven and earth.

You rescued your covenant people, led them on their journeys, and taught them by the prophets. You so loved the world that you gave your only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but have eternal life. In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat.

This is my body given for you. Do this." After the same manner also he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people, for the forgiveness of sin. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.

Pour out your Holy Spirit in this meal and truly make us one in this community of faith and with your people throughout the world. Glory and praise to you, oh God, author of life, word made flesh, power of the most high, now and forever. >> Amen.

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. >> Our Father, who art in heaven, 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 evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. >> Amen. >> Come to the table.

Feast on God's goodness and mercy. >> Thanks be to God. Take the world.

>> Body of Christ given for you. >> The blood of Christ shed for you. Take the world.

>> The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given and shed for you. The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you.

The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you.

The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you.

The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ given for you.

The body of Christ given for you. The body of Christ. given for you, the body of Christ.

and praise. I Christ for Jesus. is our son.

The tree shall And we praise you are the Lord. The Lord glory glor. Glory to the Lord.

Holy Ghost. speech. Speech.

Speech. Holy Glory. Earth.

Amen. Amen. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen. >> Let us pray together. Lord Jesus, in a wonderful sacrament, you strengthen us with the saving power of your suffering, death, and resurrection.

May this sacrament of your body and blood so work in us that the fruits of your redemption will show forth in the way we live. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. >> Amen.

Please be seated. Why have you forsen me? My God, why have you forsaken me?

My God, my God, why have you so far from the world of my gro? I find that you are the holy one of their trusted resued. Why have you cried out to you and they trusted you and were not put to shame All who see me laugh.

Do you want that cross? You are the one who kept me safe. I am my God.

Not for trouble is there to hurt My God, my God, why you open my bones? My heart is melting. All the ends of the earth shall remember to nations bow.

to the rules. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Lord shall serve the Lord.

They shall go to a to them. The Lord has my God. I for