CELEBRATING THE CHRISTIAN PASSOVER SERVICE

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT All rights reserved.

 THE CEREMONY
Initial Blessings
[THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE] Start with an opening song. Words in bold print are the groups response. Assistant: Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast not with the old leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Heavenly Father, in honor of your Son, Light of the world and Author of life, we are about to kindle the light for the Passover of Christ. On this day you delivered us from the bondage of sin and made us heirs of your heavenly kingdom. May our victory celebration this day be filled with your peace and heavenly blessing. Be gracious to us and cause your Holy Spirit to dwell more richly among us. Father of mercy, continue your loving kindness toward us. Make us worthy to walk in the way of your Son, loyal to your teaching and unwavering in love and service. Keep far from us all anxiety, darkness, and gloom; and grant that peace, light, and joy ever abide among us. For in you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Light the festival candle. Assistant: Blessed are you, Lord our God, who ransomed a people for yourself by the blood of Jesus your Son, and fulfilled the Scripture by raising him from the dead. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who give us joy as we kindle the light for the Feast of the Passover of Christ. Amen. Assistant: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have kept us alive and sustained us and brought us to this season. May our home be consecrated, O God, by the light of your face, shining upon us in blessing and bringing us peace. Amen. [THE FIRST CUP OF WINE] The Leader pours wine into the cup and raises the cup. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have created the fruit of the vine. Amen.

Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before you. In your love, O God, you give us seasons for gladness, holidays and times for rejoicing, even this day of the feast of the Passover of Christ, the season of our freedom. We welcome this time with gladness, and consecrate it to the celebration of Christs victory over sin and death, and the salvation provided for us in him. Look graciously upon your servants and show us your glory. Blessed are you, Lord our God, who favor your people in the days set aside to your honor. Amen.

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Table Setting
From the beginning of the Christian Passover Service, the following articles should be set on the table: Green Herb pieces of lettuce or parsley, enough for one piece per person, perhaps a little more Bitter Herb usually prepared horseradish, used ceremonially as a dip, enough for each person Unleavened Bread flat or pita bread will do. Have enough for at least one piece per person, perhaps more. Cups of Salt Water for the green herb. Set on the table so as to be accessible to all. Haroseth in one or more bowls. Festival Candle set near the front of the table, where the Assistant would sit (beside the Leader). Cup of Elijah a cup filled with wine and set near the front of the table. It is not consumed during the meal. Wine Goblet to be used as the common cup. Ceremonial Trays both of these trays should be set in front of the Leader.

(a) Seder Plate a large plate containing a hard-boiled egg, a large lamb bone, some bitter herbs, a piece of parsley, and some haroseth. The contents of this plate are ceremonial only and will not be consumed during the meal. (b) Bread of Affliction a plate containing three pieces of unleavened bread, each wrapped individually in a napkin, and stacked one on top of the other. Like the Seder Plate, these pieces of unleavened bread are ceremonial and will not be consumed during the meal.

Appetizer Each person may have a hard-boiled egg of his or her own to dip in the salt water. Ceremonial Items Place the following in individual bowls or platters: unleavened bread; green herb (like parsley); bitter herbs (like prepared horseradish); salt water; haroseth.

Basic Haroseth Recipe (serves 10-12)

3 large, firm apples 1 cup walnut pieces About 1/3 cup red grape wine 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2-3 teaspoons honey

-14Hard-Boiled Egg represents the festival offering in the temple at an important festival. Cup of Elijah a cup that was filled with wine and left for Elijah, the prophet who was to return as the herald of the Messiah. It was believed that the Messiah would come on a Passover.

Finely chop the apples and the walnuts. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Adjust to taste. This is the basic recipe. One variation is to add some orange segments (seeded and chopped). For a more economical variation, you can substitute apples with turnips (singkamas) and walnuts with cashews nuts.

Seder Menu
Ritual Platter 1 hard-boiled egg; green herb (like parsley); bitter herbs (like prepared horseradish); haroseth, lamb bone Main Meal Any meat (other than pork) is acceptable for the main dish. Lamb and chicken are two commonly used meats, but beef or fish would also be possibilities. Some lamb is also needed for the ritual platter. Side Courses Vegetables and dessert are, like the main dish, flexible. The haroseth will be the salad, and unleavened bread will replace normal leavened bread. Enough unleavened bread should be available so that people can eat it during the meal (it tastes good with butter).

The Leader drinks from the cup, then passes it to the others present. The following optional Scripture passage may be read while the cup is going around. [LUKE 22:14-18] And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. [THE GREEN HERB] All take a piece of parley or lettuce, and dip it in salt water. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have created the fruit of the earth. Amen. (All eat the green herb.)

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Recital of the Story of the Deliverance from Egypt

[INITIAL PROCLAMATION] The Leader raises the ceremonial tray or plate containing the three pieces of unleavened bread. He uncovers the top piece. Leader: This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, let them come and eat. All who are needy, let them come and celebrate the Passover with us. May it be Gods will to redeem us from all trouble and sin and all servitude. Next year at this season, may we and all our brothers and sisters sit at table in the New Jerusalem and enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God. The Leader returns the plate, covers the bread, and pours the second cup of wine. [THE FOUR QUESTIONS] The youngest boy present stands and reads the following questions. Youngest Boy: Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights, we eat either leavened or unleavened bread. Why on this night do we eat only unleavened bread? On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs. Why on this night do we eat especially bitter herbs? On all other nights, we do not dip herbs in any condiment. Why on this night do we dip them in salt water and haroseth? On all other nights, we eat without special festivities. Why on this night do we hold this Passover service? Leader: Once we were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord our God brought us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Now if God had not brought out our fathers from Egypt, then we might still be enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt. Therefore, even were we all wise, all people of understanding, and even if we were all old and learned in the Law, it would still be our duty to tell the story of the departure from Egypt. And the more one tells of the departure from Egypt, the more he is to be praised. And for us who know that Christ, the true Passover Lamb, has redeemed us from bondage to sin and death, the saying is also true: The more one tells of the departure from Egypt, the more he is to be praised.

parallel bars) and gives a commentary: first, in its original context (the first Exodus story), and then, its fulfillment in Christ. Leader: My father Jacob was a wandering Syrian who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien; // and there he became a nation great, strong and numerous. // And the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us. // Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression; // and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with terrifying power, with signs and wonders; // and he brought us into this country, and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey. The Leader now recites the following thanksgiving. The groups response is in bold print. Leader: Had he brought us out of Egypt, and not executed judgment against them, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he executed judgment against them, and not divided the sea for us, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he divided the sea for us, and not drowned our oppressors in it, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he drowned our oppressors in it, and not helped us forty years in the desert, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he helped us forty years in the desert, and not fed us manna, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he fed us manna, and not brought us to Mount Sinai, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he brought us to Mount Sinai, and not given us the Law, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he given us the Law, and not brought us into the Promised Land, It would have been enough for us.

-2[DEUTERONOMY 26:5-9] The Leader first reads the following passage in its entirety. Then, he rereads it in segments (indicated in the text by

Leader: Had he brought us into the Promised Land, and not given us the temple, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he given us the temple, and not sent us his Son, the Messiah, It would have been enough for us. (a) Wine and Bread especially important are the blessings over the wine and the bread. The initial blessing over wine, called the Kiddush, or Sanctification, precedes every Sabbath and festival meal, and proclaims the holiness of the day and consecrates it specially to the Lord. The blessing over the bread is the thanksgiving for the meal, bread as the traditional staple food symbolizing the meal as a whole. (b) Four Cups of Wine four cups of wine are passed around the table and drunk. The four cups represent the four chief expressions of Gods deliverance in the Book of Exodus: I shall bring them forth, I shall deliver them, I shall redeem them, and I shall take them unto me as a nation. (c) The Common Cup and Loaf the common cup and the common loaf express the unity of the people, their brotherhood as sons of Abraham and co-heirs of the promise. It also represents their common share in the blessing over the bread and wine. Lamb the lamb represents the lamb which was sacrificed in the temple and eaten by Jewish families in the land of Israel. All its blood was drained out; the commandment of the Lord that none of its bones be broken was carefully observed. It was roasted on a cross-like spit of pomegranate branches, and it reminded the Jews of the lamb whose blood had saved their ancestors at the great Exodus. Unleavened Bread it was called the bread of affliction because it was made of flour and water alone. It represents the bread baked by the Jews during their hasty flight from Egypt,

when there was no time for leavening. The three pieces of unleavened bread on the main plate represent the three classes of Israelites: the Priests, the Levites, and the ordinary Israelites. Bitter Herbs these herbs represent the bitter suffering endured by the Israelites while slaves in Egypt. Haroseth a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine. Its reddish color recalled the mortar used by the Jews in building the palaces and pyramids of Egypt during their centuries of forced labor. Green Herbs a characteristic relish used at festive meals in ancient Palestine. The greens represent spring, and the salt water in which they are dipped represent the tears shed by the people of Israel while in bondage in Egypt.

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Practical Suggestions for Observing the Christian Passover Service

The atmosphere of a Passover service should be joyful and prayerful. There should be many opportunities for songs and spontaneous worship. There should also be times when children and adults can ask questions about the Passover and grow in their understanding. The Passover service is supposed to be a family affair. Therefore, the children should be encouraged to participate as much as possible. If there are many younger children present (younger than reading age), the Leader could consider deleting some of the optional readings and Gospel passages which are indicated in the text of the ceremony. Older children can be included in the service by reading the Scripture passages, performing the part of the youngest son, or reading other portions of the service. The Leader should shape the length and content of his instruction according to the age and attentiveness of his audience. This Passover service is flexible and open to some modification, although the basic structure and message should not be altered.

If the Christian Passover Service is to be a success, the Leader must invest some time in preparation. He should study the order of the service, the relevant Scripture passages, and the present explanation, and he should think through how he will teach on the passage from Deuteronomy 26. He should decide what to delete and what to add, who will read which parts, who will perform the role of the youngest son, what songs should be sung, and how the celebration will flow practically. He should also familiarize himself with the layout of the table and the location of the special ritual platters containing such items as unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and haroseth (see the following glossary of terms for an explanation of this word).

Leader: How much more do we have to be thankful for the boundless blessings of the all-merciful God: that he brought us out from Egypt, executed judgment against them, divided the sea for us, drowned our oppressors in it, helped us forty years in the desert, fed us with manna, brought us to Mount Sinai, gave us the Law, brought us into the Promised Land, gave us the temple, sent us his Son, gave him up to die for our sins on the cross, raised him from the dead in victory, and sent us his Holy Spirit. [2 CENTURY EASTER SERMON] The following reading, by Melito of Sardis, is optional. Leader: Jesus Christ is the Passover of our salvation. He was led away as a lamb and sacrificed as a sheep. He delivered us from servitude to the world as from the land of Egypt. He released us from bondage to the devil as from the hand of Pharaoh, and sealed our souls by his own Spirit and our bodies by his own blood. This is the One who covered death with shame and who plunged the devil into mourning as Moses did Pharaoh. This is the One who smote lawlessness and deprived injustice of its offspring, as Moses deprived Egypt. This is the One who delivered us from slavery into freedom, from darkness into light, from death into life, from tyranny into an eternal kingdom, and who made us a new priesthood and a special people forever. This One is the Passover of our Salvation.
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Glossary of Passover Symbols and Customs

In order to convey the richness of the Passover meal, the Leader must understand the various symbols and customs. A brief summary of the most important items follows: Seder the word simply means order, referring to the Passover service conducted during the Passover meal. Blessings the most common and important form of Jewish prayer is the blessing. Each blessing usually begins, Blessed are you, Lord our God, and proceeds to indicate in some way the object which is being blessed (sometimes it is not an object, but is instead an action). Rather than asking God to bless something, the Jews would thank God for that thing and understand that the thing was thereby specially consecrated.

[EXPLANATION OF THE PASSOVER SYMBOLS] Leader: Rabbi Gamaliel used to say: Whoever does not explain the following three symbols at the Passover Seder has not fulfilled his duty the Passover lamb, the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs. Youngest Boy: The Passover lamb, which our fathers ate in temple days, what was the reason for it? Leader: It was because the Holy One, blessed be he, passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt, as it is written, And you shall say it is the Passover offering for the Lord who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck Egypt and spared our houses. And the people bowed their heads and worshiped (Ex 12:2627). And the true Passover Lamb is Jesus Christ, who gave his life as a sacrifice upon the cross, as it is written, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29), and Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Cor 5:7).

Leader: Had he sent us his Son, and not given him up to die for our sins on the cross, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he given up his Son to die on the cross, and not raised him from the dead in victory, It would have been enough for us. Leader: Had he raised him from the dead, and not sent us his Holy Spirit, It would have been enough for us.

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Youngest Boy: reason for it?

This unleavened bread which we eat, what is the

Leader: It is because there was no time for the dough of our ancestors in Egypt to become leavened before the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be he, revealed himself to them and redeemed them, as it is written, And the dough which they had brought out from Egypt they baked into cakes of unleavened bread, for it had not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt and allowed no time even to get food ready for themselves (Ex 12:39). And the true unleavened bread is the purity and holiness of a life lived in Christ, as it is written, Let us celebrate the feast, not with the old leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor 5:8). Youngest Boy: meaning? These bitter herbs which we eat, what is their

[THE SECOND CUP OF WINE] The Leader raises the cup and recites the following blessing: Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, who redeemed us and our fathers from Egypt, and brought us to this day to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs. May we rejoice in your salvation and always say, The Lord be praised. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have created the fruit of the vine. Amen. The cup is passed around the table. Christ is the true Passover Lamb, of which the lambs sacrificed in Egypt were but a type and foreshadowing, so the Christian Passover feast is the fulfillment of the annual Old Covenant rite, in which Gods deliverance is recalled and celebrated. Future Fulfillment. The final fulfillment of the Passover is in the messianic kingdom (Lk 22:15-16). The redemption accomplished in Christs death and resurrection will only be fully manifested when he comes again to judge the wicked (as Egypt was judged) and to bring his chosen ones into their eternal resting place (the true land of promise). Then the disciples of Jesus will eat and drink at table with their Messiah and rejoice together in his victory (Lk 22: 28-30).

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Leader: It is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our forefathers in Egypt, as it is written, And they embittered their lives with hard labor: with mortar and bricks, with every kind of work in the fields; all the work which they made them do was rigorous (Ex 1:1314). And the true bitter herb is the grief and sorrow of sin that Christ tasted on our behalf, as it is written, Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Is 53:4-5). In every generation, one must look upon himself as if he personally had come out of Egypt, as it is written, And you shall tell your son on that day, It is because of what the Lord did for me when I went forth from Egypt (Ex 13:8). For it was not our fathers alone that the Holy One, blessed be he, redeemed; he also redeemed us with them, as it is said, He brought us out from there that he might give us the land which he pledged to our fathers (Dt 6:23). [EXHORTATION TO WORSHIP] Leader: Therefore it is our duty to thank and to praise, in song and prayer, him who performed all these wonders for our fathers and for us. He brought us out from slavery to freedom, from anguish to joy, from sorrow to festivity, from darkness to great light. Let us therefore sing before him a new song. Praise the Lord! (Time of Worship and Praise)

The Exodus Events as Prophetic Types

Christian teachers in the New Testament and the early church saw all of the main events of Israels exodus from Egypt as types (models, foreshadowings, prefigurements) of Gods redemption in Christ. For example, the apostle Paul identifies the passage through the Red Sea with baptism and the desert gift of manna and water with Communion (1 Cor 10:1-5). This is a very helpful way for Christians to understand the preparatory events of the Old Testament and their fulfillments in the New Testament. The following types should be recalled annually at the Christian Passover Service: Egypt a type of the world, alienated from God and bound up in sin; also, a type of sin itself and a sinful way of life. Pharaoh and his Army a type of Satan and his evil legions.

The Blood of the Passover Lamb a type of the blood of Christ, which wards off the angel of death and purchases redemption. The Passage through the Red Sea a type of baptism. The Pillar of Fire and Cloud a type of the Holy Spirit, Christs presence among us. The Manna from Heaven and the Water Flowing from the Rock a type of the Lords Supper. The Giving of the Covenant and the Law at Sinai a type of the New Covenant in the blood of Christ and the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Entry into the Promised Land a type of our new life in Christ and its consummation in the New Jerusalem.

Old Testament Commemoration. In Exodus 12-13, the Lord commands the people of Israel to keep the Passover as an annual celebration commemorating the deliverance from Egypt. Each household was to sacrifice a Passover lamb, eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs, and rejoice in Gods redemption. We read in 2 Chronicles of the great Passover feasts kept by Hezekiah (30:1-27) and Josiah (35:1-19). The Jewish people have observed the customs of the Passover to this day. New Testament Fulfillment. The New Testament teaches us that Christ has fulfilled the Passover (Jn 19:36; Ex 12:46; 1 Cor 5:7-8). His death and resurrection, which occurred at Passover time, redeems us from enslavement to sin, death, Satan, and the world. His blood, like the blood of the first Passover lamb, protects Gods people from the angel of death and breaks the oppressive reign of Satan. New Testament Commemoration. At the Last Supper, which was probably a Passover meal, Jesus instituted a custom by which his disciples were to remember and celebrate his death and resurrection (Lk 22:7-38). This custom, the Lords Supper, is a New Covenant Passover meal that commemorates the sacrifice of the true Passover Lamb and brings us into special fellowship with God. Easter, the Annual Christian Passover. The early Christians celebrated Easter as the Christian Passover feast. Since the death and resurrection of Christ occurred during Passover, the annual celebration of the New Covenant redemption was perpetually wedded to the Passover. Just as

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INSTRUCTIONS
In many languages, the word for Easter is Passover. This reveals a truth often unrecognized by Christians: Easter is simply the Christian Passover. The Passover feast celebrated annually by the Jewish people is fulfilled in Christs sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. Our observance of the Passover can thus teach us the true significance of Christs redeeming sacrifice and provide a fitting way to celebrate the events which have brought us freedom.

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The Historical Origin and Fulfillment of Passover

Old Testament Origin. The first Passover occurred in Egypt, while the people of Israel were still in bondage. Exodus 1-15 tells the story of Israels enslavement in Egypt and her miraculous deliverance at the hand of Moses. In Exodus 11-13 we read of the tenth plague which broke Pharaohs stubborn resistance and allowed Israel to go free. In this plague, the Lord slew all the firstborn males in the land of Egypt, except those whose doorposts were sprinkled with the blood of the Passover lamb; thus, the firstborn of Israel were spared. The Lord passed over the home of the Israelites, but judged the homes of the Egyptians.

The Festive Meal

[GRACE OVER UNLEAVENED BREAD AND BITTER HERBS] The Leader takes a piece of unleavened bread and blesses it with the following words: Leader: The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Amen. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave the commandment concerning the eating of unleavened bread. Amen. The Leader breaks the bread into small pieces and distributes a piece to each person. The following optional Scripture passage may be read at this point. [MATTHEW 26:26] Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Each person places some of the bitter herbs (e.g., horseradish) and some haroseth between two pieces of unleavened bread. Leader: Let us combine the unleavened bread and the bitter herbs, as it is written: With unleavened bread and with bitter herbs, they shall eat it. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave the commandment concerning the eating of bitter herbs. Amen. Eat the festive meal.

sustain all beings, and do good to all, and provide food for all your creatures whom you have created. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who give food to all. Blessed be his name forever. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, for by your great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, for giving us new life in your Son. Blessed be his name forever. Leader: Have mercy, Lord our God, upon your people who belong to your Son, the dwelling place of your Spirit. At this season in which we celebrate the Passover of Christ, grant that the Christian people throughout the world may rejoice greatly in your salvation and grow in the unity for which Jesus prayed on the eve of his sacrifice. Grant also that we in ________ may radiate that joy and be a sign of that unity and a means of its growth. May all your people be renewed in the power of your Spirit, so that we might be without spot or blemish, and ready for your Sons return. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, ruler and builder of your people, and source of our joy. Blessed be his name forever. [THE THIRD CUP OF WINE] following blessing: The Leader raises the cup and recites the

The Blessings after the Meal

A song may be sung at this point. Pour the third cup of wine. Leader: Let us bless the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever. Leader: Let us bless our God, of whose bounty we have partaken. Blessed be our God, of whose bounty we have partaken, and through whose goodness we live. Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, who feed the whole world with your goodness, with grace, with steadfast love and mercy. Through your great goodness food has never failed us. May it not fail us for ever and ever, for your great Names sake, since you nourish and

Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have created the fruit of the vine. Amen. [MATTHEW 26:27-29] The following optional Scripture passage may be read while the cup is being passed. Leader: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.

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-7(For a shorter reading, the long section in brackets may be omitted.) [ The soul of all living things shall bless your name, O Lord our God; the spirit of all flesh shall ever adore and extol your fame, our King. Were our mouths filled with singing as the sea, and our tongues uplifted in song as the waves, and our lips with praises as the heavens, and our eyes shining as the sun and the moon, and our hands stretched out as the eagles of the skies, and our feet swift as the hinds, we would still not be able to offer proper thanks to you, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, and to praise your name one thousandth share, or even a tenth of one thousandth share, for the great goodness you bestowed upon our fathers and upon us. From Egypt you redeemed us, O Lord our God, and from the house of bondage you liberated us. In famine you fed us, in plenty you sustained us, from the sword you saved us, from pestilence you delivered us, from severe sickness you spared us. Therefore the limbs you have fashioned within, and the spirit of life which you have breathed into us, and the tongue which you have placed in our mouth, they shall all thank, praise, extol, glorify, exalt, adore, hallow and give sovereignty to your name; for every mouth shall give thanks to you, and every tongue shall pledge fealty to you, and every knee shall bend to you, and every living thing shall bow down to you; all hearts shall revere you, and all souls shall sing to your name. ] Leader: You are God by the power of your might, great by the glory of your name, almighty forever and inspiring awe by your deeds. You are the King enthroned sublimely and exalted. By the mouth of the upright you shall be praised, and by the words of the righteous you shall be lauded; by the tongue of the faithful you shall be exalted, and in the midst of the holy you shall be hallowed. Blessed are you, O Lord, King extolled in praises. Amen. [THE FOURTH CUP
OF

Leader: Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who have created the fruit of the vine. Amen. (The Leader drinks from the cup and passes it around the table.) Leader: The Passover service is ended. As we were worthy to celebrate it this year, so may we perform it in future years. O Pure One in heaven above, bring us to the heavenly Jerusalem in joy. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus! Amen! A song may be sung to conclude.

Conclusion

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WINE] Pour the last cup. The Leader raises the cup.