Join us tonight at noon and 6:30pm for Maundy Thursday worship services in the Sanctuary. On this Maundy Thursday we begin the three days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus’ passing over from death into life.  The Maundy Thursday service includes the words of Jesus’ new commandment** to love one another.  As a sign of our calling to follow Jesus’ example of humility and service, we sometimes wash one another’s feet as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.  Jesus performs the duty of a slave, washing the feet of his disciples and urging them to do the same for each other.  Tonight, in place of foot washing, we take a few minutes to meditate on what it means to be a servant.  Finally, from this gathering we are sent to serve those in need, to offer mercy, and to feed the hungry.  

On this Maundy Thursday, in which Jesus was handed over to death, we also gather around the Lord’s supper.  At the service’s conclusion, the altar area is stripped of furnishings as a sign of Jesus’ abandonment, and the congregation exits in silence.

This first liturgy of the Three Days has no ending; it continues with worship on Good Friday and concludes with the Resurrection of Our Lord.  Together the Three Days proclaim the mystery of our faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.  Therefore, no benediction is given until Easter.    

** ‘New commandment’ in Latin is mandatum, from which the word Maundy comes.  It is found in John 13.34, “I give you a new commandment, that your love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”