Here are the resources you need for Maundy Thursday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
Notes on Foot Washing
The foot-washing, although usually reserved for the pastor when he is present, may, in his absence, take on a different meaning. Rather than have just one person doing the foot-washing, several congregation members may do this task for their fellow members. Perhaps congregational leaders (eg elders/church council members) may do this task. Alternatively, family members may wash the feet of others in their family. Use your imagination on this. What is suitable in one place may not be suitable in another.
If everyone is invited to have their feet washed, then they will need to have been warned beforehand that they will be invited to participate, so that they are able to wear shoes that are easily removed. Women in particular will find it hard to have their feet washed if they are wearing stockings. There must be no pressure on anyone to participate if they do not wish to do so.
Consider how the seating is arranged to enable the foot washing to occur. Before the service, prepare a bowl, a towel, and a jug of warm water. You may wish to put on an plain apron- avoid using fancy or patterned aprons.
- Altar colour: White
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 The institution of the Passover
PSALM Psalm 116:1,2,12-19 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 The institution of the Lord’s supper
GOSPEL John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Jesus washes his disciple’s feet
- Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on gospel: Pr Stephen Pietsch, edited for lay reading doc
Based on second reading: Pr Vince Gerhardy, Dr Vic Pfitzner,
- Orders of service:
Word & Prayer- Maundy Thursday (pdf / doc / ppt )
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
O Lord Jesus Christ,
since you have left us a memorial
of your suffering and death
in the mystery of your holy sacrament:
Grant that we may so receive your body and blood
that the fruits of your redemption
may continually be revealed in us;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have left us a memorial
of your suffering and death
in your holy sacrament.
Nourish us with your body and blood,
so that our lives may show the fruits
of your redemption.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
(Let us pray to receive life through the body and blood of Christ. [silence])
Heavenly Father,
your Son instituted his holy supper
as our passover feast,
and gave his life for us.
Unite us all by faith in him,
so that we who eat his body and drink his blood
may pass with him from death to life,
and serve one another.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, new
(Let us pray for strengthening through Christ’s body and blood. [silence])
Jesus Christ our Saviour,
thank you for giving your followers your holy supper
to commemorate your suffering and death.
Through your body and blood,
revive our faith in you
and increase our love to others.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
- NEW! Link to site with visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Exodus 12:1-4(5-10)11-14
LHS
48 Lamb of God most holy * G5
89 Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands (esp v 3) * G5
112 Hail Thou once despised Jesus (vv 1,2) G3
847 The Lamb’s high banquet called to share (alt tune 227) G5
AT
349 There is a Redeemer
TIS
364 Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands (does not contain original v 3)
373 Hail, our once-despised JesusSecond reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-36
LHS
85 According to Thy gracious word G5
282 Draw nigh, and take the body of the Lord*
285 To Thy most holy supper, Lord* G5
287 Deck thyself, my soul, in gladness* G5
291 Thy table I approach* G5
292 The death of Christ, our blessed Lord G5
320 I come to Thee, O blessed Lord* G3
837 Feed us now, Bread of life GS
839 I come, invited by your Word G7
846 The candles are lit GS
848 With deep humility, O Lord G5
AT
69 Fill my house
71 The candles are lit
79 Feed us now
170 Take this bread
176 Take, eat, this is My body
279 And so we meet again
288 Take and eat
374 Always remember me
393 Real food, real drink
397 Before I take (These I lay down)
476 Here is bread
478 This is the body
479 For living, for dying
560 Can we break bread together?
571 On that final night
TIS
498 Draw near and take the body of our Lord
503 Robe yourself, my soul, in gladness
510 My God, your table now is spread
515 According to thy gracious word
538 Feed us now
540 Christians, lift your hearts and voices
707 Bread is blessed and brokenGospel: John 13:1-17,31b -35
LHS
295 O Lord, we praise Thee* G3
344 Our God is love* G6
356 Lord of glory, who hast bought us* G3
381 O God our Father, throned on high G7
853 A new commandment GS
855 Brother, let me be your servant GS
AT
65 A new commandment
177 Love one another
191 Brother, let me be your servant
261 The Servant King
310 Yesu, Yesu
340 Jesus was a servant
373 Bound by love
443 Like an angel
473 Bread for the world
571 On that final night
TIS
256 From heaven you came
434 Where there is charity and love
534 Love is his word (esp vv 1-4,6)
536 An upper room did our Lord prepare
640 Yesu, Yesu
648 Help us accept each other
650 Brother, sister, let me serve you
699 A new commandmentPSALM 116: 1,2,12-19
The following paraphrase of Psalm 116:1-4,12-19 by David Schütz may be sung either to the tune Melita (LH 400, TIS 138) or to the tune of the Song of Mary in the Modern Vespers of Worship Today. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.I love the Lord! He hears my prayers,
so all my life I’ll call on him.
When snares of death entangled me,
and pangs of hell laid hold of me,
I called upon God’s holy name:
‘I beg you, Lord, to save my life!’What shall I offer to the Lord
for all his goodness shown to me?
I will lift up salvation’s cup
and call upon God’s holy name,
I’ll keep my promises to him
among his people gathered here.O Lord, how dearly you are pained
when one of your true people dies!
I am your slave, your slavegirl’s child,
so, Lord, I’ll serve you all my days.
For you have freed me from the chains
that made me captive to the grave.I pay my sacrifice of thanks,
and call upon God’s holy name.
I pay my vows unto the Lord
among his people gathered here,
here in the holy house of God,
here in your midst, Jerusalem.
NEW! For congregations who use Music Resources Vol. 3- Psalm settings in their services, you can download printable antiphons for the congregation to use here:p 188, p 189
