21st Century Africana Worship Resources for Holy Thursday, Year B

Gathering Meditation
(Based on Exodus 12:1-14)
Marked!
The calendar contains special days we all look forward to, such as birthdays, Christmas, or vacations. When our special day approaches, we get excited. But excitement over a "special" day is nothing compared to the excitement of a new beginning. God told Moses and Aaron to start a new calendar. Mark time from this point forward. Tear up the old calendars, marred with memories of an ugly past. Mark a new day and a new experience with a sacrificial lamb. Mark the new era with blood-painted doorposts. Mark the day with barbeque rubbed in bitter herbs and flatbread. Eat hurriedly, anticipating God will move at any moment. Mark this as a day to remember, when God restarted time for you. Mark the day just as God marked you to live freely as a child of God.

Choral Call to Worship
(Psalm 116:1-2 & I Corinthians 13:4-8)
[Suggested Instrumental Music Background: Love, as recorded by Kirk Franklin]
Reader 1: Love
Reader 2: is patient.
Reader 1: Love
Reader 3: is kind.

Reader 1: Love
Reader 4: doesn't envy

I love the Lord

Reader 1: Love doesn't boast.
Reader 1: Love isn't arrogant.
Reader 1: Love isn't rude.
Reader 1: Love isn't irritable.
Reader 1: Love isn't resentful.
Reader 1: Love doesn't rejoice in wrongdoing.
Reader 1: Love rejoices in the truth.
Reader 1: Love bears all things.
Reader 1: Love believes all things.
Reader 1: Love hopes all things.
Reader 1: Love endures all things.
Reader 1: Love never ends.

I love the Lord
Because he has heard my voice and my supplications.

Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

About the Author: Kwasi I. Kena is a former staff member of Discipleship Ministries.