Maundy Thursday
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An icon of the Footwashing
Today is the beginning of the Triduum, which is simply Latin for ‘three days’. It refers to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday – the holy days which are the bedrock of our faith. In today’s service we remember what Jesus did on his last day of freedom. He washed his disciples’ feet, and he shared with them the Last Supper. Then he went out to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.
To participate in our service today, you will need a candle, a bowl of warm water and a towel, and a piece of bread or a roll– whatever you have to hand is fine. You can share out roles if there is more than one of you. Or you can just work through the whole service on your own as you wish.
Opening Hymn
Light the candle to begin. Take a moment to think about what is on your mind and heart today as you come into the presence of God. Can we let go of worries and demands for a moment, just to focus on being with Jesus, who has longed to spend this time with us?
We sing our opening hymn, Praise to the Holiest, which is traditional on this day, and makes reference to the garden and the cross.
Praise to the Holiest
All Praise to the Holiest in the height
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
and to the rescue came.
And in the garden secretly,
and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise;
in all his words most wonderful,
most sure in all his ways.
Welcome
We make the sign of the cross, saying together,
Leader: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen
Leader The Lord is here.
All His Spirit is with us.
Confessing our sins
The word Maundy comes from the Latin Mandatum, meaning 'commandment', and so today we think particularly of the commandments of God that we may have broken, and of those with whom we may be out of fellowship because we have hurt them, or they have hurt us. Let’s seek God’s forgiveness
Leader:
Our Lord Jesus Christ says: ‘If you love me, keep my commandments. Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.’ Let us confess to almighty God our sins against his love, and ask him to cleanse us.
All:
Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Leader:
May the Father forgive us by the death of his Son, and strengthen us to live in the power of the Spirit all our days. Amen.
Please pray the Collect – the prayer for the day
Leader
God our Father,
you have invited us to share in the supper
which your Son gave to his church
to proclaim his death until he comes:
may he nourish us by his presence,
and unite us in his love;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Footwashing
Please listen to Simon reading our first Bible reading
John 13.1-16
We have heard about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. If we were in church, then the clergy would be washing the feet of 12 people. Instead, why not share in the washing of the feet of those in your household, or if you are on your own, then wash your own feet, and imagine that Jesus is doing this for you. It is an act of love and service which anyone can participate in.
Why not listen to Catherine singing Ubi caritas after your feet are dry? This is often sung during the footwashing.
Ubi Caritas
The words are:
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
The Bread which Nourishes
After Jesus washes the disciples feet, he presides at the table and they share a meal with him. Please listen to Kristi reading Matthew 26.17-29.
When you have listened to the reading, take the piece of bread that you have and give thanks to God for it, and for the nourishment that Christ provides for your body and soul.
Then break it very deliberately, and eat it, or share it with those with you.
Homily
Please listen to Mthr Helen’s short sermon
Homily
The Prayers
Let’s take a moment to reflect and pray. You can pray in silence or out loud, bringing before God whatever is on your heart, and praying for the church, the world, our community, the sick and those who are dying.
As we finish our prayers, let us say together:
Almighty God, our Shield and our Defender,
guide and protect us at this time.
We pray for our loved ones, our neighbours,
our key workers, and our country in this time of health emergency.
Deliver us from harm, and may your love and care ever grow in our community.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
Psalm
Usually, after the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, the clergy will strip and wash the altar - to symbolise the washing of Christ's body, and remove everything from the sanctuary. During this time, the choir sing Psalm 22. Here is a portion of the psalm sung by Jonathan if you would like to reflect on this.
Psalm 22
The Watch
We have come to the moment when Jesus leaves the Upper Room and goes out to the Garden of Gethsemane. Let us watch and wait with him. You will be able to pray with the blessed sacrament. After the censing of the sacrament there is a period of silence before the Gospel of the Watch is read at the end of the clip.
The Watch
If you would like more time to reflect and pray, just pause the clip. During the silence, you might want to bring before Jesus all those affected by coronovirus, key workers, friends, family and community, and the life of the church.
The Watch normally finishes at midnight. The last thing we hear is the Gospel of the Watch, with the disciples deserting Jesus, and the slamming shut of the Gospel book. Then we depart in silence, as Jesus is arrested and taken away.