A SERVICE FOR USE AT HOME ON MAUNDY THURSDAY

Introduction/Reflection

Typically, on Maundy Thursday in church, we celebrate two stories from the last days of the life of Jesus. His inauguration of the sacrament of Holy Communion and the washing of feet, remembering the story told by John (Chapter 13 vs 1-16). I know that many people approach Holy Communion as a time of repentance and seek God’s forgiveness as they participate. There are of course many layers of meaning to the sacrament of Holy Communion. One is repentance – but also there is thanksgiving for all God’s blessings; there is communion with God and each other through the name of Jesus; there is a call to mission; and more.

I would like you to read John Chapter 13 vs 1-16 slowly and closely. In this story, and when we re-enact it as ritual, it seems to me there are two primary meanings that we can extrapolate – the first is found in verse 20 – Jesus said ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean’. I read this to mean that we who have travelled with Jesus are not regarded as sinful (we sin yes, but we are forgiven – we are not sinful – we are Jesus’s sisters and brothers – we are children of God). Then I want you to read again verse 14-16. The meaning is clear – washing feet is but a symbol of service to each other. Washing feet was the job of slaves/servants and/or children. But Jesus says that forgiven people are to serve one another, just as Jesus has served his disciples. So, our worship today focuses on this act of Jesus and our response of love for each other and service to all those in need.

Prayer

Gracious God, your Son Jesus Christ girded himself with a towel and washed the feet of his disciples. Give us the will to be servants of others as he was the servant of all, who gave his life and died for us, yet lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

STF 249: Sing or say the following:

Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbours we have from you.

   1    Kneels at the feet of his friends,         silently washes their feet,         master who acts as a slave to them.

   2    Neighbours are rich folk and poor,         neighbours are black folk and white,         neighbours are nearby and far away.

   3    These are the ones we should serve,         these are the ones we should love.         All these are neighbours to us and you.

   4    Kneel at the feet of our friends,         silently washing their feet,         this is the way we should live with you.

Psalm 116

I love the Lord, because he has heard    my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me,    therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me;    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;    I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord:    ‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!’

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;    our God is merciful. The Lord protects the simple;    when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest,    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For you have delivered my soul from death,    my eyes from tears,    my feet from stumbling. I walk before the Lord    in the land of the living. I kept my faith, even when I said,    ‘I am greatly afflicted’; I said in my consternation,    ‘Everyone is a liar.’

What shall I return to the Lord    for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation    and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord    in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord    is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant;    I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.    You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice    and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord    in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord,    in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

Prayer

Let us pray this day/night for

All those who follow Jesus, that they may be servants to each other and to the world they inhabit.

All those who serve us – for doctors, nurses, care workers, food suppliers, cleaners, transportation workers…

All those in need of love and care – the dying and the bereaved, for the homeless, for those who are destitute, for those who have been betrayed, for those who have been abused, for those who are tortured…

All those who serve in positions of power and influence that they might serve the common good. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Mother, Father God may your name be made holy among us.

May your kin-dom break upon us and all you desire be done until earth is like heaven.

Give to us the things we need for today.

Help us to place ourselves in the way of forgiveness, receiving and giving forgiveness in all we do.

Keep us in right ways and guard us from all evil.

Because we know that kin-dom, power and glory belong to you.

Amen.

StF 272

From heaven you came,

Helpless babe,

Entered our world,

Your glory veiled;

Not to be served

But to serve,

And give Your life

That we might live.

This is our God, The Servant King,

He calls us now to follow Him,

To bring our lives as a daily offering

Of worship to the Servant King.

There in the garden

Of tears,

My heavy load

He chose to bear;

His heart with sorrow

Was torn,

'Yet not My will

But Yours,' He said.

Refrain

Come see His hands

And His feet,

The scars that speak

Of sacrifice;

Hands that flung stars

Into space

To cruel nails

Surrendered.

Refrain

So let us learn

How to serve,

And in our lives

Enthrone Him;

Each other's needs

To prefer,

For it is Christ

We're serving.

Refrain

The blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us all, now and for always. Amen.