Or the church. Jesus knowing that the Father had put all things into his hands and that he had come from God and went to God. Jesus washing the disciple's feet, and Jesus wanting to wash Peter's feet. But Peter not wanting those feet to be washed. It is in the knowledge and belief that we come from God and one day will go to God. And that we are answerable for the way in which we live and behave in this world, that affects our attitudes to life. If we acknowledge that we come from God and go to God, then we are surely prepared to do, to be, or to suffer anything for this God whom we worship. And we should have the humility to believe that we are part of something so much greater than ourselves, of a wonderful mystery. And that we are put in this world for a purpose. And that our standards of life and our behavior matter. A changed society comes from changed individuals. And in washing the disciple's feet, Jesus shows us that every act of service to other people matters. And what we do to others and for others has an eternal significance. God is in it. God, the creator of all that is, seen and unseen, shows His glory, which is self giving love in humbling Himself towards His world. God is like Jesus, washing the disciple's feet. He that has seen me, has seen the Father, said Jesus. And our duty as Christians and His church, is to wash His world which means being prepared to perform any act of service, meeting the needs of other people. However great the sacrifice. And that is the way God is revealed, and that is the way He is glorified. And when we live like that, trying to serve His world, trying to serve other people, then the divine love is at work through us. Whether we are aware of it or not, or whether others are aware of it or not. But Peter wouldn't let Jesus serve him, and the world does not have the humility to acknowledge that it needs God's help. That it needs to be washed. It's not prepared to receive help from a God who can stoop down and change this world and alter its direction. And the test of our own sincerity is always whether we are prepared to let this God help us, to wash us, to change us, to be more holy, to be more like Jesus. It requires humility and the knowledge that we come from God and go to God. And finally, in that incident to which I have referred, in that upper room, there is a kind of eternal triangle. The more you know you come from God and go to God, the more you're able to serve. And the more you want to be served and helped. And the more you serve others. The closer you are to God, and the more you will find His serving you through others. And the more you let Him serve you, the nearer you are to God. And the better able you are to serve others. It is an eternal triangle. A kind of trinity. And surely that is where true and lasting hope lies for the world, for His church, and for us. And that humble God who comes to us in this glorious service in bread and wine this morning, who gives us His grace so that we may go from this church and have the grace of giving, waits to serve us. And He offers in His goodness to reproduce something of His life and His love in us, so that His glory may be revealed. And all He asks for is our attention. And God then does the rest. Amen. And thank you. Let us pray. That the world may live in peace and that the church may achieve unity fulfilling its service here and everywhere. This is our prayer. That all ministers and teachers in the church may be faithful servants of the Gospel, leading others into its way of life and strengthening their faith. This is our prayer. That the leaders of this nation and of the world may govern with justice and mercy. This is our prayer. That all our work may be done for the common good. That it may be done in safety. And that all may be spared from grinding toil which destroys fullness of life. This is our prayer. That those who work on frontiers of truth and those who enrich our lives with beauty and joy may be free to follow their vocations. This is our prayer. That those whom we have known and loved, who have died in the faith, may be a glorious memory to us. And a source of renewed fellowship with all the saints. This is our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen. Christ invites to His table all who love Him and who desire to live in peace with one another. Let us stand and offer each other signs of God's peace and love. (congregation chattering) In love, our gifts and ourselves for God. (soft music) (choir singing) ♪ Praise God from whom all blessing flow ♪ ♪ Praise Him all creatures here below ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host ♪ ♪ Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ The prayer of thanksgiving. The Lord is here. His spirit is with us. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise. Father, we give you thanks and praise. Through your beloved son, Jesus Christ, your living word through whom you have created all things. Who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He took flesh. And as your son, born of the blessed virgin was seen on earth and went about among us. He opened wide His arms for us on the cross. He put an end to death by dying for us. And revealed the resurrection by rising to new life. So He fulfilled your will and one for your holy people. Therefore with angels and dark angels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name. Forever praising you and saying. Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Lord, you are holy indeed. The source of all holiness. Granted by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these your gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks. He broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat, this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way after supper, he took the cup and gave you thanks. He gave it to them saying, drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. And so Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of all men. Rejoicing at His mighty resurrection and glorious ascension and looking for His coming in glory. We celebrate this memorial of our redemption. We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. We bring before you this bread and this cup. We pray you to accept this, our duty and service, a spiritual sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom, all who share this one bread and one cup. So that we in the company of all the saints, may praise and glorify you forever through Him from whom all good things come, Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom and in whom in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be yours almighty Father forever and ever, amen. Because there is one loaf, we many as we are are one body, so it is one loaf of which we all partake. When we break the bread, it is a means of sharing in the body of Christ. When we give thanks and share the cup, it is a means of sharing in the blood of Christ. Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He gave for you. And His blood, which He shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that He died for you and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. (soft music) (choir singing) (soft music) (choir singing) (soft music) Thank you. Thank you. Let us stand for the hymn. (choir singing) Go out in peace to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do. We are sent in Christ's name. The blessing of Almighty God, creator, redeemer, and sustainer is with you always. Amen. ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen, amen ♪ (choir singing) ♪ Amen ♪ (soft music)