Liturgy for Maundy Thursday

Participation in the presence of Christ

April 17, 2025

Maundy Thursday

Welcome & Breath Prayer

This is the night that Christ the Son of Man gathered with his disciples in the upper room.

This is the night that Christ our Lord and Master took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, calling us to love one another as he has loved us.

This is the night that Christ our God gave us this holy feast, that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may here proclaim his perfect sacrifice.

This is the night that Christ the Lamb of God gave himself into the hands of those who would slay him.

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The Collect

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

Almighty Father, who most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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The Lessons

First Reading

A reading from Exodus 12:1–14:

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in Egypt. He said, “From now on, this month will be your first month. Each of your years will begin with it. Speak to the whole community of Israel. Tell them that on the tenth day of this month each man must get a lamb from his flock. A lamb should be chosen for each family and home. Suppose there are not enough people in your family to eat a whole lamb. Then you must share some of it with your nearest neighbor. You must add up the total number of people there are. You must decide how much lamb is needed for each person. The animals you choose must be males that are a year old. They must not have any flaws. You may choose either sheep or goats. Take care of them until the 14th day of the month. Then the whole community of Israel must kill them when the sun goes down. Take some of the blood. Put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where you eat the lambs. That same night eat the meat cooked over a fire. Also eat bitter plants. And eat bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat when it is raw. Don’t boil it in water. Instead, cook it over a fire. Cook the head, legs and inside parts. Do not leave any of it until morning. If some is left over until morning, burn it up. Eat the meat while your coat is tucked into your belt. Put your sandals on your feet. Take your walking stick in your hand. Eat the food quickly. It is the Lord’s Passover.

“That same night I will pass through Egypt. I will strike down all those born first among the people and animals. And I will judge all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood on your houses will be a sign for you. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No deadly plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

“Always remember this day. You and your children after you must celebrate this day as a feast to honor the Lord. You must do this for all time to come. It is a law that will last forever.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

We will read Psalm 78:14-25 responsively. I will read the first line up to the break. Together we will read the second line to the end of the verse.

He guided them with the cloud during the day. //
    He led them with the light of a fire all night long.
He broke the rocks open in the desert. //
    He gave them as much water as there is in the oceans.
He brought streams out of a rocky cliff. //
    He made water flow down like rivers.

But they continued to sin against him. //
    In the desert they refused to obey the Most High God.
They were stubborn and tested God. //
    They ordered him to give them the food they wanted.
They spoke against God. They said, //
    “Can God really put food on a table in the desert?
It is true that he struck the rock, and streams of water poured out. //
    Huge amounts of water flowed down.
But can he also give us bread? //
    Can he supply meat for his people?”
When the Lord heard what they said, he was very angry. //
    His anger broke out like fire against the people of Jacob.
    He became very angry with Israel.
That was because they didn’t believe in God. //
    They didn’t trust in his power to save them.
But he gave a command to the skies above. //
    He opened the doors of the heavens.
He rained down manna for the people to eat. //
    He gave them the grain of heaven.
Mere human beings ate the bread of angels. //
    He sent them all the food they could eat.

Second Reading

A reading from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26:

I passed on to you what I received from the Lord. On the night the Lord Jesus was handed over to his enemies, he took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it. He said, “This is my body. It is given for you. Every time you eat it, do it in memory of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup. He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do it in memory of me.” You eat the bread and drink the cup. When you do this, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Reflection on God’s Word

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The Foot Washing

Fellow servants of our Lord Jesus Christ: On the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the kingdom of God come not by worldly power and authority, but by such lowly service.

Therefore, I invite you who share in the royal priesthood of Christ to come forward, that we may recall whose servants we are by following the example of our Master. Come now remembering his admonition that what will be done for you is also to be done by you to others. Engrave on your hearts and mirror in your actions Jesus’ words: “A servant is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

There are three stations. You may choose a station and have the attendant wash your feet or you may come with a partner to wash feet. You are not required, but you are encouraged, to participate.

The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, “Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you and example, that you should do as I have done.”

Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.

I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.

Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.

By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That have love for one another.

Prayers for God’s world, our nation, our city, and this community

The Lord’s Prayer

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your Kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins

as we forgive those

who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and forever. Amen.

The Doxology

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 / Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you deserted me? //
    Why do you seem so far away when I need you to save me?
    Why do you seem so far away that you can’t hear my groans?
My God, I cry out in the daytime. But you don’t answer. //
    I cry out at night. But you don’t let me sleep.

But you rule from your throne as the Holy One. //
    You are the God Israel praises.
Our people of long ago put their trust in you. //
    They trusted in you, and you saved them.
They cried out to you and were saved. //
    They trusted in you, and you didn’t let them down.

Everyone treats me like a worm and not a man. //
    They hate me and look down on me.
All those who see me laugh at me. //
    They shout at me and make fun of me.
    They shake their heads at me.
They say, “He trusts in the Lord. //
    Let the Lord help him.
If the Lord is pleased with him, //
    let him save him.”

But you brought me out of my mother’s body. //
    You made me trust in you
    even when I was at my mother’s breast.
From the time I was born, you took good care of me. //
    Ever since I came out of my mother’s body, you have been my God.
Don’t be far away from me. //
    Trouble is near,
    and there is no one to help me.

Many enemies are all around me. //
    They are like strong bulls from the land of Bashan.
They are like roaring lions that tear to pieces what they kill. //
    They open their mouths wide to attack me.
My strength is like water that is poured out on the ground. //
    I feel as if my bones aren’t connected.
My heart has turned to wax. //
    It has melted away inside me.
My mouth is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. //
    My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
    You bring me down to the edge of the grave.
A group of sinful people has closed in on me. //
    They are all around me like a pack of dogs.
    They have pierced my hands and my feet.
Everyone can see all my bones right through my skin. //
    People stare at me. They laugh when I suffer.
They divide up my clothes among them. //
    They cast lots for what I am wearing.

Lord, don’t be so far away from me. //
    You give me strength. Come quickly to help me.
Save me from being killed by the sword. //
    Save the only life I have. Save me from the power of those dogs.
Save me from the mouths of those lions. //
    Save me from the horns of those wild oxen.

I will announce your name to my people. //
    I will praise you among those who are gathered to worship you.
You who have respect for the Lord, praise him! //
    All you people of Jacob, honor him!
    All you people of Israel, worship him!
He has not forgotten the one who is hurting. //
    He has not turned away from his suffering.
He has not turned his face away from him. //
    He has listened to his cry for help.

Because of what you have done, //
    I will praise you in the whole community of those who worship you.
In front of those who respect you, //
    I will keep my promises.
Those who are poor will eat and be satisfied. //
    Those who seek the Lord will praise him.
    May their hearts be filled with new hope!
People from one end of the earth to the other //
    will remember and turn to the Lord.
The people of all the nations //
    will bow down in front of him.
The Lord is King. //
    He rules over the nations.

All rich people of the earth will feast and worship God. //
    All who go down to the grave will kneel in front of him.
    Those who cannot keep themselves alive will kneel.
Those who are not yet born will serve him. //
    Those who are born later will be told about the Lord.
And they will tell people who have not yet been born, //
    “The Lord has done what is right!”

(It is traditional to go from this service in silence as we ponder our own place as all of humanity abandons Jesus at the cross.)