MAUNDY THURSDAY
Maundy Thursday occurs the Thursday preceding Easter Sunday
There is beauty in the simplicity of this evening. All songs are sung a cappella and the tables are sparsely decorated. A cross is placed at the center of the platform. The rest of the platform is decorated with water jugs and plants surrounding the cross – leaving room for the interpretive dance that occurs later in the service.
Welcome
During the welcome, the congregation is asked to save a piece of bread and a portion of juice for communion later in the service.
Fellowship at Meal
The congregation is invited to enjoy fellowship and finger foods at their tables.
Sermon – part 1
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not 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, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.’” John 13:1–20
Foot Washing
Multiple stations may be needed depending on the size of the congregation. For hygiene purposes, you will want to change the water after each person or pour the water on the foot over a basin. The first option requires “runners” to empty the dirty water and refresh the basins with clean water. This takes extra time, but don’t worry, congregants would rather have the clean water. Be sure the water is warm. Cold water makes for an uncomfortable experience.
[Songs are sung a cappella during the washing of feet; be sure to select songs familiar to your congregation]
Sermon – part 2
“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.’ They said to him, ‘Where will you have us prepare it?’ He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.’ And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” Luke 22:7–13
Interpretive Dance – How Beautiful
Words and Music by Twila Paris
© 1990 Ariose Music, Mountain Spring Music
The Lord’s Supper
“And when the hour came, he reclined 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 will 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 will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” Luke 22:14–20
Prayer
Lift up your hearts – We lift them up to God
We praise you for your unswerving love for us
Though we are fragile – Though we are wounded – Though we are broken
You have never stopped loving us and you have never forsaken us
Greater love has no one than this that they lay down their life for their friends
You take what is broken and transform it through your death and love
What once was hurt – What once was friction – What left a mark – No longer stings because grace makes beauty out of ugly things
So we join with the angels singing Holy, Holy, Holy – Lord God Almighty, Heaven and earth are full of your glory Hosanna in the highest
In your last meal with your friends, before being betrayed, You shared bread and wine
We share it again to remember you
Christ’s body is broken – We are Christ’s body, we are broken
May Christ’s broken body nourish you in all the right places
Christ’s body is wounded – We are Christ’s body, we are wounded
May the blood that flowed from Christ’s wounds Heal you in all the right places
Christ has died – Christ is risen – Christ will come again
This is the table of Christ, a sign that Christ welcomes us all as we are
There is no need to pretend and no need to hide . . . so, come.
(Grace, Church of England)
Sermon – part 3
“When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” John 13:31–35
Benediction
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Words by Thomas Ken (1674); Music: OLD HUNDREDTH
[sung a cappella; invite congregation to stand and hold hands]
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen
Dismissal