Prelude - “Sonata in A major, op. 1 #3 - Andante” by Handel - Martha Geissler and Jeff Perks Welcome - Rev. Dana Seiler Call to Worship Prayer of Confession and Declaration of Forgiveness Hymn - “Were You There” Unity Ensemble Prayer for Illumination - Rev. David Bonnema Old Testament Reading - Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 New Testament Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Anthem - “Sonata in g minor, op.1 #10 - Andante” by Handel - Martha Geissler and Jeff Perks Gospel Reading - John 13:1-17, 34-35 Meditation - Rev. Dana Seiler Hymn - “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” Unity Ensemble Sacrament of the Lord's Supper Anthem - “Elegy for Victims of the Tsunami” by Tsujii - Martha Geissler and Jeff Perks The Stripping of the Chancel - The service for Maundy Thursday evening concludes with the stripping of the sanctuary. The practice dates from the seventh century and originally served the practical purpose of cleaning the sanctuary in preparation for Easter, when all things are made new. In time, however, the practice became ceremonial in its own right. In silence communion vessels, table cloths, pulpit and lectern hangings, and all other decorative and liturgical objects are sensitively removed, thus dramatizing the desolation, abandonment, and darkness of the passion and death of our Lord. The sanctuary remains bare, through Good Friday, until the beginning of the Easter celebration. Ordinarily there is neither a blessing nor a postlude at the conclusion of the service. The church remains in semi–darkness, and all worshipers exit in silence. Symbolically, Christ, stripped of his power and glory, is now in the hands of his captors. (From “The Book of Common Worship of The PCUSA.”)